£63m worth of car insurance claims for accidents in the snow

Sainsbury's Car Insurance estimates that the UK insurance industry received 45,000 car insurance claims relating to accidents worth approximately £63 million last week, when much of the nation was covered by the heaviest snowfall in 20 years .

This is a 45% rise on the number of claims during the corresponding week last year.

Joanne Mallon, Sainsbury's Car Insurance Manager, said: "Last week was one of the busiest weeks we can remember for car insurance claims. Drivers in this country aren't particularly familiar with driving in snow and ice and the conditions in many parts of the country were probably the worst many have experienced.

"If more severe weather arrives, we would advise people to only make essential journeys. Apart from the danger to themselves and other road users, drivers could be putting themselves at extra risk of losing their no-claims bonus should they have an icy prang."

Sainsbury's Car Insurance offers the following cold weather motoring tips:

Check your battery (make sure you check your car manual before you do this), monitor your oil, water and brake fluid levels on a regular basis and make sure your car has a winter service

Check tyre condition for both pressure and legal tread depth - the current minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm

Make sure you de-ice all of your windows before driving and that you have antifreeze in your car

Use your headlights in rain or snow - remember to ensure your lights are clean so that you can see and also be seen, and don't drive too close to the vehicle in front of you, allowing more time and distance to brake and accelerate

Where possible use major routes, which may have been gritted/salted

Take a mobile phone if you have one - remember to ensure the battery is fully charged but don't use it whilst driving unless you have a hands-free kit

Check the weather before you set off on your journey