By Sanjiv Bajaj
It was barely 7:00 am on a foggy December morning when the car refused to start. No warning lights, just silence. The battery had died, turning the commute into a lesson in winter car care.
December consistently records a spike in breakdowns and insurance claims across India. Cold mornings, fog, and neglected maintenance create a perfect storm for both internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and electric vehicles (EVs).
ICE cars
Why winter is harsher on conventional cars begins under the hood. Cold temperatures slow down battery chemistry, causing sudden failures. Tyre pressure drops as air contracts, increasing resistance and damage risk. Engine oil thickens, making cold starts harder and straining the engine. Add fog and shorter daylight, and insurers rightfully brace for rising claims.
Crucially, breakdowns from skipped maintenance – like dead batteries or worn tyres – often result in rejected claims, rather than covered ‘accidental damage’, leaving owners surprised.
EVs
These modern vehicles face a different kind of challenge. Cold weather reduces efficiency, leading to a significant range drop. An EV that can travel 350 km on full charge in October may struggle to cross 280 km in a colder January. Charging takes longer, and cabin heating draws power directly from the battery, unlike engine heat in ICE cars. Consequently, first-time owners often get stranded simply because they didn’t factor in reduced range during such weather.
How insurance views it
From an insurance perspective, running out of charge or battery damage from improper set-ups isn’t always treated as accidental. Expensive components like battery packs require specific add-ons for adequate coverage.
The checks that matter
For ICE cars: Check battery health before December, especially in parts of north India; maintain correct tyre pressure (not just ‘what feels right’); allow the engine to warm up before driving; and ensure foglamps and defoggers function properly.
For EVs: Plan for reduced driving range; avoid charging immediately after a cold drive; verify that your insurance covers battery damage; and roadside assistance is invaluable, whether for a dead ICE car battery or for an EV that has run out of charge on the road.
Does winter cause accidents?
Unpreparedness causes accidents – as most winter troubles are quiet failures: batteries fading, tyres losing grip, or driving range shrinking. These moments often spark insurance disputes. A seasonal vehicle check and a policy matching your driving habits can turn December-January into a smooth drive. The best journeys are the ones where you planned for the cold.
