Who’s on the hook for damaging your car’s pothole? It might not be all on you

Congratulations on National Pothole Day – it turns out there’s a day for everything. Sunday, January 15, some people celebrated, or rather, loved to hate potholes. These road funnels cost car owners $26.5 billion in car repairs in 2021. AAA. But did you know that you might not be on the hook of it all?

What can a pothole do to my car?

“When a car hits a pothole with any amount of force, the tires, wheels, and suspension take the brunt of the damage, and repairs on any of those elements are expensive,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA.

The auto club estimates that drivers pay an average of about $600 for repairs. They also appreciated every tenth driver in 2021 was damaged by a car quite significant, they needed immediate repair after hitting a pothole.

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“I have several clients with dented wheels that are beyond repair or tires that have definitely blown due to potholes,” said tire shop owner Zack Leaper. FOX weatherX Will Nunley.

Even minor damage at the time can eventually lead to a dangerous tire blowout.

“Your tire has internal belts, and when you hit a pothole, those belts break, of course, because these belts are made of steel and nylon, and it breaks them immediately or a little further down the road,” said Leeper of Sharp. the threads cut into the tire as you keep going. “Then that tire could burst completely, or if you hit the pothole in the right place and hard enough, it could burst instantly.”

Most cars are designed for the worst road conditions. But State Farm advises checking your car after hitting a very large or deep pothole. The hole can also damage the steering, suspension, and wheel alignment of your vehicle.

“Some signs of pothole damage may include a feeling of traction in one direction, dents in the tires or rims, or low tire pressure,” said Heather Paul, public relations specialist at State Farm.

After hitting a pothole, Leeper offers to check your tire.

“Make sure there are no bulges or dents on the wheel itself on the tire itself,” Leeper said. “And then the best thing to do, when you have the opportunity, is to adjust the position of your car so as not to damage the tire even more.”

Who pays for pothole damage?

Collision insurance usually covers pothole damage after you pay the deductible. But, do your homework, it might not be worth making a claim.

“Because the pothole damage that can be done to your car can be below your deductible, usually $500 or $1,000, filing a claim may not always be practical,” Paul said.

Some cities, counties, or states may pay for pothole damage.

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“A driver who has received a pothole must determine which jurisdiction is responsible for the road and request compensation for the pothole,” Paul said. “The driver may need photos of the damage and the pothole, as well as an estimate or two for a claim. Be aware that there may be a deadline for compensation, so don’t wait to file a claim.”

For example, Tennessee Department of Transportation there is a hotline for reporting potholes. Drivers can also go online to fill out a maintenance request for a road repair. To complete the form, you will need a route, a kilometer marker, and nearby intersections or junctions.

Owners of damaged vehicles can file a claim online through Tennessee Department of the Treasury. The investigator will review your evidence that the damage was caused by the state’s negligence in inspecting, maintaining, or building state-run highways or bridges.

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You will also need to provide evidence that government officials were notified in advance, and the time and ability to resolve the issue before you hit the hole.

You can help others recoup their dollars by “paying up front,” advises State Farm.

“If you notice a pothole road, you can report a road hazard to your local city or county transportation department so they know about the problem,” State Farm said.

Finally, stick to your tire replacement warranties. Most standard tires come with a warranty. Tire shops may also offer an additional warranty. Consider adding tire and wheel insurance, which may also be an option with roadside assistance policy.

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Why are there so many potholes?

Potholes form when constant traffic wears out on the road. Water seeps into cracks and puddles under the asphalt. Water expands when it freezes, further weakening the road. The ice melts and the water runs off, leaving a gap below the surface. More traffic continues to destroy the road in the area and potholes form.

Recent American Infrastructure Report Card stated that 43% public roads of the country are in poor to moderate condition. The report estimates that Americans drive on roads in poor condition 17% of the time.

And the number of potholes will no doubt increase after the extreme weather the US has seen so far this winter. holiday blizzard and the arctic explosion sent sub-zero temperatures south into Florida. Just as fast spring thaw As a result, flood waters washed out the foundations of the roads.

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Atmospheric river storms in the west also hit the roads. In just 3 weeks, more than a foot of rain fell in several cities in California. The pavement cracks and in some cases even rolls down the hillside. The sinkholes caused by runoff are small at first, but eventually swallow cars. The photos and videos were amazing.

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State Farm has some tips for avoiding pothole damage.:

The word pothole was coined long before cars were invented. In 15th and 16th century England, potters dug pits and pits made by wagons and clay carriages to make pots. The van drivers called the pits potholes. American Public Works Association.

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