Potholes are the bane of every driver’s existence. These treacherous road hazards seem to appear out of nowhere, potentially causing damage to your vehicle and exposing your passengers to a string of profanities the likes of which have never been witnessed.
But what happens when you hit one? Does your car insurance cover the damage?
Let’s take a closer look at this very common (and frustrating) question and see what kind of answer we can come up with.
Understanding Pothole Damage
First things first: what kind of damage can potholes cause? From bent rims and flat tires to more severe issues like damaged suspensions or misaligned wheels, the impact of hitting a pothole can vary widely.
The severity often depends on factors such as your speed, the size of the pothole, and your vehicle’s design.
Repairs to your car after hitting a pothole can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage.
Potential damage caused by potholes along with estimated repair costs:
- Tire damage: $100 – $500 per tire
- Simple puncture repair: $20 – $40
- Tire replacement: $50 – $500 depending on the tire type and quality
- Wheel/rim damage: $200 – $1,000 per wheel
- Minor bend repair: $75 – $150
- Severe damage requiring replacement: $200 – $1,000+
- Suspension damage: $500 – $5,000+
- Shock absorber replacement: $200 – $1,500 per shock
- Strut replacement: $450 – $900 per strut
- Control arm replacement: $200 – $400 per arm
- Alignment issues: $50 – $200
- Basic alignment: $50 – $100
- Complex alignment with additional adjustments: $100 – $200
- Exhaust system damage: $100 – $2,000+
- Exhaust pipe repair: $100 – $300
- Muffler replacement: $150 – $800
- Catalytic converter replacement: $800 – $2,500
- Body damage: $200 – $2,000+
- Minor dent repair: $200 – $500
- Paint touch-up: $50 – $300
- Major body work: $1,000 – $4,000+
- Engine damage (rare but severe): $1,500 – $5,000+
- Oil pan replacement: $300 – $800
- Engine mount replacement: $200 – $600 per mount
- Severe engine damage requiring rebuild: $2,500 – $5,000+
Please note that these are estimated ranges, and actual costs can vary significantly based on factors like the make and model of your vehicle, where you live, the severity of the damage, and the use of OEM replacement parts.
Coverage Under Collision Insurance
With the bad news of the potential repair costs out of the way, we have good news! In most cases, damage from potholes is covered under your collision insurance.
This part of your policy typically covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another object – and yes, a pothole counts as an “object” in this context.
Let’s take a look at the relevant language from the standard ISO auto insurance policy form:
“We will pay for direct and accidental loss to ‘your covered auto’ or any ‘non-owned auto’, including their equipment, minus any applicable deductible shown in the Declarations, caused by:
1. Other than “collision” only if the Declarations indicate that Other Than Collision Coverage is provided for that auto.
2. “Collision” only if the Declarations indicate that Collision Coverage is provided for that auto.”
While potholes aren’t explicitly mentioned, they fall under the broad definition of collision in most policies. Collision is defined as:
B. “Collision” means the upset of “your covered auto” or a “non-owned auto” or their impact with another vehicle or object.
This definition is concise but comprehensive. Let’s break it down:
- “Upset” refers to a vehicle overturning or rolling over.
- “Impact with another vehicle or object” covers a wide range of scenarios, including:
- Colliding with another car
- Hitting a stationary object like a tree, pole, or guardrail
- Striking a pothole, which is considered an “object” in this context
The broad nature of this definition allows for coverage of many types of incidents, including pothole damage. It’s this inclusive language that typically ensures pothole-related damage falls under collision coverage.
A Word of Caution
Before you celebrate, remember: collision coverage is optional. If you’ve only purchased liability insurance, you’re out of luck when it comes to pothole damage.
Additionally, you’ll need to consider your deductible. Is the damage cost higher than your deductible? If not, it might not be worth filing a claim.
Comprehensive Coverage: When Does It Apply?
In some rare cases, pothole damage might fall under comprehensive coverage.
How, you ask?
Imagine this scenario: you swerve to avoid a pothole and hit a guardrail. The damage from hitting the guardrail would be covered under collision, but if your evasive action causes you to roll your car, the resulting damage could potentially be covered under comprehensive.
These are situations that coverage gets a little tricky, but as long as you have both comprehensive and collision coverage, you’ll have the protection you need.
Filing a Claim: What You Need to Know
Decided to file a claim? Here’s what you should do:
- Document the damage immediately.
- Take photos of the pothole (if safe to do so).
- Report the incident to your insurance company promptly.
- Get an estimate for repairs from a reputable mechanic.
- Consider whether filing a claim is cost-effective, given your deductible.
For minor tire or wheel repairs, which are the most common damages, there’s a good chance that the cost to repair the damage will not exceed your deductible.
But for more expensive repairs like suspension, exhaust, or body damage, the chance of the repair costs exceeding your deductible are much better.
Anytime you file a claim, consider the impact a claim will have on your future rates. You could potentially lose a claim-free discount, which would adversely affect the cost of your policy.
Alternative Options: Government Liability
Did you know that in some cases, you might be able to seek compensation from the government entity responsible for road maintenance? It’s true!
Many cities and states have processes for filing claims for pothole damage.
However, be warned: these claims can be challenging to win and often require proving negligence on the part of the responsible agency.
Preventing Pothole Damage
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to minimize pothole damage:
- Maintain proper tire pressure.
- Slow down in areas prone to potholes.
- Avoid puddles, which may conceal deep potholes.
- Keep a safe following distance to spot potholes in advance.
The Bottom Line
While hitting a pothole can be a jarring experience, knowing how your insurance handles such incidents can provide peace of mind.
Remember, collision coverage is your best friend when it comes to pothole damage, but always weigh the costs and benefits before filing a claim. Stay alert, drive safely, and may your journeys be smooth and pothole-free!
During his career as an independent insurance agent, Ryan Grabenstein was appointed with Progressive, Allstate, Nationwide, Travelers, and many smaller regional and mutual companies. He has a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) personal and commercial lines training.