Sainsbury’s Car Insurance is warning motorists not to become complacent about wintry driving conditions. Although spring should soon be upon us, the Met Office is still issuing weather warnings as ice and snow take the country by storm once again.

According to Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, a third of drivers—around 11.4 million in total—do not bother to check the weather forecast before setting off on a journey despite poor driving conditions in many areas. Even more worryingly, more than a quarter (27%) drive without clearing frost or mist off their windscreens properly.

The company’s research showed that an estimated 800,000 claim to have had an accident after ignoring advice that motorists should stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary.

During previous periods of snowfall, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance has recorded year-on-year spikes in insurance claims of up to 45%. It adds that drivers should be aware of ‘frosting’ car crime, where opportunist thieves take advantage of drivers who leave their cars unattended while warming up the engine. An estimated 15,000 households could fall victim to ‘frosting’ this year, its research suggests.

Ben Tyte, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance manager, says: “UK motorists have a typically stoic approach to driving in wintry conditions, and if they start to become complacent and think the worst weather is behind them, they could increase their chances of having an accident in the coming days and weeks. Drivers should continue to take basic steps to ensure their own safety and that of other road users, especially while wintry conditions persist.

“They should also be alert to the risks of leaving their engines running whilst unattended. If their car was stolen with the keys in the ignition they would most likely not be covered by their insurance policy.”