Which coverages matter in winter
Collision
If you slide on ice into another car, a guardrail, or the ditch, collision pays to repair your vehicle — even in a single-car slide-off where no one else is involved. This is the coverage Minnesota winters lean on most.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive handles the non-collision winter hazards: a deer dashing across a dark county road, ice or a falling branch damaging your car, or theft. Deer-strike season peaks in late fall and early winter, so comprehensive earns its keep this time of year.
Roadside assistance / towing
A dead battery at −20°F or a slide into a snowbank is a winter rite of passage. Towing and labor coverage pays for the tow out of the ditch or a jump-start. It's inexpensive and pays for itself quickly in a Minnesota winter.
Winter claim tips
- Document the scene. Photos of the road, ice, and damage help establish what happened — especially in single-vehicle slide-offs.
- Call for a safe tow. Don't risk standing on an icy shoulder; get to safety first, then call your roadside line.
- Report deer strikes promptly. Note the location and time; comprehensive claims go smoother with details.
- Watch for total losses. Hard freezes and major collisions can total older cars fast — know your gap coverage situation if you're financed.
Lower your winter risk (and sometimes your rate)
- Winter tires improve control on ice and snow — and reduce claims.
- Keep an emergency kit: blanket, light, jumper cables, sand or kitty litter.
- Slow down and double your following distance on snow and ice.
- Lower winter mileage can help if you're in a telematics program.