The good news is, yes, pothole damage is usually covered—providing you have collision coverage. Collision coverage, an optional portion of a st andard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a pothole, lamp post or guard rail), another car or as the result of flipping over. However, it does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires due to bad road conditions.
Collision coverage is generally sold with a deductible—the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible. Collision insurance is different from comprehensive insurance, which is also an optional coverage. Comprehensive coverage reimburses drivers for theft, v andalism, flooding and damage from fallen objects, such as trees.A driver who hits another car, or a pedestrian, due to a pothole also will be covered by liability insurance, which is required to drive legally in every U.S. state except New Hampshire. Liability coverage applies to injuries that you, the policyholder or designated driver, cause to someone else.
Facts and Figures
Source: Insurance Information Institute, “Does My Auto Insurance Cover Damage Caused By Potholes?” iihs.org website. Accessed June 2, 2014. http://www.iii.org/articles/does-my-auto-insurance-cover-damage-caused-by-potholes.html
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