For many people, the decision of whether or not to get snow tires is an annual debate. Are they worth the investment? Or can the all-season tires do the trick safely?

Obviously, the answer you choose relies heavily on where you live and the amount of snow you expect to get. But if you live or visit anywhere that has regular snowfall in the winter, then this is a particularly important decision.

Today's all-season tires are made to be long-lasting and quiet. While they are designed to keep you completely safe on warmer days, the material that these tires are made of tends to harden when the temperature dips below freezing, making it even harder to grip the road.

Snow tires are made of a softer compound that provides traction even in freezing temperatures. The tread is also usually more aggressive, making it a better choice in snow, slush and ice.

What about all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? In a real-life test, an all-wheel drive car with all-season tires was put up against a front-wheel drive car with snow tires. They were parked at the bottom of a snowy hill and the front-wheel drive car won easily. So tires really do make a difference. If you live in a real-life snow globe, your best choice would be to have an all-wheel drive car with snow tires, but a front-wheel drive vehicle equipped with winter tires is quite capable too.

Yes, snow tires are an extra expense, but they are truly essential when it comes to driving in winter weather. If you plan on traveling in snowy weather and don't have the luxury of staying home when the white stuff starts falling, it's in your best interest to invest in some snow tires. Keeping you and your passengers safe is worth the money.

Stay road safe this season. Call Affinity Global Insurance at 818-746-3083 for more information on California auto insurance.