TAMPA, Fla. — Pothole encounters can wreak havoc on car tires, wheels and suspensions. Even worse, hitting a pothole can lead to a potential crash and a big hole in your wallet.
AAA estimates the average cost of most pothole-related repairs is $406. So, it's important to take the proper measures to avoid one.
"Keep tires properly inflated, eliminate driving distractions, look ahead for road hazards, be wary of puddles that may hide potholes and keep a safe distance from other vehicles," according to a statement from AAA. "Check your surroundings for collision threats before you stomp on the brakes or swerve suddenly to dodge a pothole. If you can’t avoid one, slow down, but release the brakes and straighten the steering wheel just before impact to help minimize any damage."
But what happens when you can't avoid it? Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with car damage from a pothole:
Document the incident:
"Immediately after the incident, take photos of the pothole, the surrounding area, and your vehicle as documentation," according to a statement from Progressive. "Note the location of the pothole, as well as the time of day and the weather conditions."
According to the car insurance company, it's also important to contact the non-emergency police line to report the incident so that you can get a police report filled out. This will help when filing a potential claim.
Check your car insurance policies:
"If you run over a pothole and your car sustains damage, beyond damage limited to a tire, you may be covered by collision coverage on your auto policy," according to a statement from State Farm.
The company also recommends speaking to your insurance company to get a full breakdown of your policy coverage and applicable deductibles before you decide to file a claim.
Report the pothole and file a claim:
Some county and state governments, or jurisdictions, may reimburse you for the damage if the pothole resides on a street that they manage, according to Progressive.
Anyone who needs to report a pothole to the City of Tampa can do so by clicking here. If you need to file a liability claim with the city, click here.
The City of St. Petersburg has a webpage where you can report a pothole.
It's also possible to recover money by filing a claim against the Florida Department of Transportation, if you believe they were responsible for the incident.
