Pothole damage to your vehicle can easily be extensive. Damage to the vehicle’s tires, hub caps, struts, and alignment can quickly add up leaving some drivers with repairs up to a thousand dollars or more. Filing a pothole damage claim is easy, but whether or not you should is something you should consider.
How a Pothole Damage Claim Works
A pothole damage claim is a single car accident, which is filed as an at-fault accident by your insurance carrier. Hitting a pot hole is considered a collision. Your collision deductible will apply, and your rates could go up at your next renewal due to filing an at-fault claim. Sometimes the damage sustained is a lower dollar amount than your deductible, which would make filing a claim irrelevant.
An Alternative to Filing a Claim
Do a little research to see if the road commission in your area pays for pothole damage to vehicles. First determine if the road is a city, county, or state road. Depending on the area you live in, it is possible to get reimbursement. Of course it can be a lengthy process, so be prepared to pay the cost upfront.
Tips for city, county, or state pothole damage reimbursement:
- Take a photo of the pothole
- Note the date and time of accident
- Get a two estimates
Some states are easier to file for damages than others. Lots of states require you to provide proof the road commission knew of the pothole for 30 days or more and did nothing to repair it. The burden of proof lies on you and basically it is going to be nearly impossible to win.
