What Surrey Drivers Should Know About Collision Repair in Winter

Winter driving in Surrey, BC, presents a unique set of challenges that every driver should be aware of. Winter weather creates more hazardous conditions on the road during your daily commute, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, your vehicle may need some extra care and maintenance in the cold weather to prevent mechanical issues and lower your chances of being involved in a collision.

Why Winter Driving in Surrey Increases Collision Risks

Winter conditions in Surrey are cold and often rainy. In some cases, precipitation may turn to freezing rain, snow, or hail. Fog, heavy winds, and cloudy conditions are also common. These factors combine to create the perfect conditions for an accident:

• Reduced Visibility – Even a light mist can reduce your visibility on the road, especially if your windshield wipers are not in great shape. Heavy rain can make it especially hard to see the road, even with your wipers at full speed. Add fog to the equation, and visibility significantly decreases, making it harder to see pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. You may also have a harder time determining how far away other vehicles and objects are from your vehicle, which could result in you hitting the brakes just a little too late.
• Driver Fatigue – Not only is the winter cold and cloudy, but it’s also darker. Days are shorter, which has more people feeling tired. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make errors like failing to look for other vehicles before turning into traffic or having longer response times.
• Lower Traction – Wet conditions mean reduced traction because roads are slippery, so your tires don’t have a secure grip. That can mean that it takes a longer distance to bring your vehicle to a stop, and you might have less control of your vehicle when making turns or sudden maneuvers.

Common Winter Collision Damage You Should Watch For

Winter collisions can lead to the same types of damage you might see in an accident during any other time of year. However, certain types of damage can rapidly become much worse in the winter weather, so you shouldn’t delay repairs to address these issues:

• Scratches and Dents – What begins as a minor dent or scratch could become much worse without timely repairs. Unfortunately, scratches and dents become more common in the winter, not only because of a higher rate of accidents but also due to an influx of debris kicked up by winter storms. Inspect the body of your vehicle often and don’t delay repairs for small scratches and dents. Dents will only become larger because metal is more likely to warp or crack in cold temperatures. Scratches in the paint could allow moisture intrusion, which leads to rust and corrosion that can severely damage your vehicle.
• Cracked Windshield – Cold temperatures cause glass to contract, which can place added stress on the structure of your windshield. If there is a small chip or crack in the glass, it can rapidly become worse in the wintertime. This is a problem you should not ignore because your windshield is integral to the structural integrity of your vehicle. Additionally, large cracks can dramatically reduce your visibility on the road.
• Poor Wheel Alignment – Hitting a pothole, curb, or object in the road—or experiencing a more severe collision—can throw your wheels out of alignment. If you don’t get your alignment repaired right away, cold temperatures are likely to exacerbate this problem, which can in turn cause uneven wear on your tires and permanent damage to your vehicle’s suspension.

How Winter Conditions Complicate Collision Repair

Winter conditions can add challenging variables to winter collision repairs, which may mean your vehicle has to spend longer in the shop. First, collision and repair shops see an influx of customers in the winter due to the higher volume of accidents. Additionally, cold temperatures can make repairs more difficult when it comes to frame straightening or repairing body panels, because metal is more likely to crack in cold weather. Finally, paint takes longer to cure in cold temperatures, so seek out a shop that takes appropriate precautions for winter conditions to maintain a high quality of work in every season.

Choosing the Right Collision and Repair Shop in Surrey

If you have been in an accident, you have the right to take your vehicle to your preferred auto body repair shop. Your insurance cannot force you to take a vehicle to a specific shop. When you are looking for the right collision repair specialist, look for a shop that has a longstanding reputation, certified technicians on staff, and modern tools and equipment to facilitate a full range of collision repairs for both major and minor accidents.

Benefits of a Certified Collision Repair Centre

Columbia Collision Repairs is ICBC-certified, which means that we meet a higher standard of excellence for our repair services, and we guarantee our vehicle repairs with warranties on parts and workmanship.

Essential Winter Car Care Tips to Prevent Damage

While the risk of collision damage is higher during the winter, there are some steps you can take to prevent accidents this season:

• Inspect your tires and replace them if they are worn or damaged.
• Check your tire pressure often and keep the tires well inflated.
• Park in a garage when possible.
• Maintain fluid levels.
• Remove all ice or snow from your vehicle before driving.
• Check your battery and replace it if needed; clean battery terminals if they are corroded.
• Wash your car regularly to remove debris and de-icing solutions.
• Wax your vehicle to protect its paint and finish.

Don’t Delay Your Winter Collision Repair Needs

If you have been in an accident and need vehicle repairs, don’t wait to bring your vehicle in for a full inspection. Columbia Collision Repairs makes it easy with our drive-thru service—no appointment necessary. Bring your vehicle to our shop today or contact us to learn more about our trusted shop. We answer our phones 24/7.

FAQs for Our Collision Repair Experts

How long does a collision repair take?
Collision repair can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of damage your vehicle has sustained. When you bring your vehicle to us for an estimate, we will let you know how long we expect the repairs to take and help you coordinate a vehicle rental or secure a courtesy vehicle from our fleet.

Will my insurance cover collision repairs for a winter accident?
Whether you were involved in a collision with another vehicle or lost control of your vehicle and hit a tree, your insurance may provide coverage for collision repairs. However, you should check your policy to understand what is covered. You’ll also need to file a claim through your insurance company before you begin the repair process.