Hitting a pothole is common, but should you worry about car damage every time you hit one? Yes, because 1 in 10 drivers suffer vehicle damage requiring repair after hitting a pothole, with an average ~$600 repair bill (pothole damage totaled $26.5 billion in the U.S. in 2021).
If you suspect pothole damage or have questions about insurance coverage, check your vehicle and don’t hesitate to seek help – you can always call Insure On The Spot at 773-202-5060 for guidance on protecting your car and wallet.
What kind of damage can potholes do to my car?
Potholes form when water and fluctuating temperatures break apart pavement (often during winter freeze-thaw cycles), and heavy traffic or snow plows then carve out the holes. Most pothole damage tends to hit the wheels and tires first. However, larger or high-speed pothole impacts can also bend suspension parts or cause engine-area damage.
It’s important to note that no part of your car that contacts the road is immune – tires, rims, alignment, suspension, and undercarriage components are all at risk when you “battle” a pothole and lose.
Can a small pothole cause serious damage?
The severity of damage isn’t just about the size of the pothole, but also the speed and angle at which you hit it. A shallow-looking pothole at highway speed can feel like a landmine. AAA warns that hitting a pothole at high speed greatly increases the chance of severe damage, like knocking your wheels out of alignment or bending suspension components. You may also weaken tire sidewalls or knock suspension parts loose over time if your car repeatedly bounces through minor potholes.
Additionally, vehicle design plays a role as well. Cars with low-profile tires (thin tire sidewalls) or sport-tuned stiff suspensions are especially prone to pothole damage – there’s less cushion, so the impact transmits directly to the wheel and suspension. That’s why it’s common to see bent or cracked rims after a pothole encounter on a car with performance tires. Conversely, hitting a pothole in a taller tire (more sidewall) or at very low speed might not cause visible damage at all. But don’t let your guard down: even small potholes can hide sharp edges or deep centers that surprise your tires and suspension with a nasty jolt.
How can I tell if a pothole damaged my car?
You might not notice damage immediately, so it’s important to watch for warning signs after any hard pothole hit. Here are common signs of pothole damage to look out for:
Car pulls to one side or steering wheel is off-center
If your vehicle suddenly drifts left or right on its own, or your steering wheel isn’t straight when driving, the pothole likely knocked your wheel alignment out of whack. A misalignment means the wheels are no longer pointed in exactly the right direction. You might also notice the steering feels unstable. This pulling is a red flag. Driving with bad alignment will cause uneven tire wear and poor handling, so you’ll want to get it checked promptly.
Unusual noises from under the car
New sounds after a pothole encounter should never be ignored. A knocking or clunking noise when going over bumps can indicate a broken or loosened suspension part. If you hear a metal scraping or dragging sound, that dreaded pothole may have damaged your exhaust system or undercarriage. For example, a torn exhaust pipe or muffler might make your car suddenly louder. Any odd noise coming from beneath the vehicle (clanks, rattles, scrapes) after a jarring road impact is a sign something is wrong and needs inspection.
Steering wheel vibration or shaking (shimmy)
If a pothole strike bends a wheel rim or knocks a tire out of balance, you might feel your steering wheel shaking or “shimmying” at certain speeds. This happens because a bent rim or damaged tire is no longer rolling smoothly, causing wobble. Often the rim damage isn’t obvious until the wheel is off, so don’t assume “no visible bend” means all is well and get a mechanic to check it as soon as possible.
Tire damage – bulge or flat tire
One of the most obvious (and immediate) signs of pothole damage is a flat tire. A hard hit can pinch the tire between the rim and the pothole edge, slicing the rubber or even blowing out the tire on the spot. If you get a flat right after a pothole impact, pull over to a safe place as soon as possible. In some cases, the tire might not go flat instantly but will develop a bubble (bulge) on the sidewall. A bulge means the tire’s internal layers were cut or weakened, and it’s at high risk of failing. Don’t ignore sidewall bulges – they often lead to a dangerous blowout if you continue driving on the damaged tire. Any new bulge, tear, or persistent loss of air in a tire after a pothole hit should be evaluated or the tire replaced. Also, have the wheel rim inspected; potholes can bend wheels, and a damaged rim won’t hold a tire bead securely.
Fluid leaks or dashboard warning lights
After a particularly hard jolt, do a quick check when parked: look underneath for any leaking fluids (oil, coolant, etc.). A deep pothole’s impact can sometimes crack an oil pan or jar loose a fluid line, leading to leaks. Also pay attention to your dashboard – if a warning light comes on (such as the tire pressure light, ABS brake light, or steering system warning), it could be related to pothole damage. For instance, a sudden tire pressure warning may indicate a slow leak from tire or rim damage. An ABS or traction control light might mean a wheel speed sensor got knocked loose.
Is pothole damage always immediately obvious?
Pothole damage can be sneaky, so just because your car looks fine right after doesn’t guarantee all is well. Some effects only show up over time or with careful inspection. For example, small cracks in a tire’s sidewall from a pothole might not cause a flat instantly – instead, you’ll get a slow leak or a bulge hours or days later. A slight bend in your rim could go unnoticed until you realize your tire keeps losing air. Alignment issues might not be very obvious at first, but uneven tire wear over the next few weeks or a subtle pull on the steering might reveal the problem. Likewise, damage to shocks, struts, or suspension joints can lead to gradually worsening handling (like the car bouncing more or not cornering as well) rather than an immediate failure.
This is why it’s smart to stay vigilant after any hard hit. If you suspect you hit a pothole hard but everything seems okay, be extra observant in the days following. Check tire pressures regularly, watch for developing bulges, and note any changes in how the car drives. Often, a mechanic’s inspection is the only way to catch certain hidden damages early – for instance, a slightly bent control arm or a leaking shock absorber might only be spotted on a lift.
To sum it up, pothole damage isn’t always obvious right away, so trust your instincts. If something feels “off” or even if you just have a bad gut feeling after a big pothole jolt, it’s worth getting the car looked at before small issues turn into big repairs.
What should I do if I hit a pothole?
Here are some steps to take immediately after you hit a pothole to ensure you and your car stay safe:
- Ensure safety first: If the impact was severe or you suspect a flat tire, slowly pull off to a safe location out of traffic. Ensure your hazard lights are on.
- Check your tires and wheels: Inspect all tires for visible damage – look for flats, bulges, or cuts. Also examine your rims for dents or cracks. (If a tire blew out, you may need to install your spare or call for roadside assistance.)
- Look for leaks or damage under the car: Do a quick peek underneath for any hanging parts or fluid leaking. If you see oil or coolant leaking, or something dragging, you’ll want a tow to a repair shop.
- Drive slowly and listen/feel: If everything looks okay initially, carefully drive on and pay attention. Is the car pulling to one side? Do you feel any vibration in the steering or hear new noises? Test the brakes and steering gently. Any strange behavior could indicate damage.
- Document the pothole (optional): If the pothole caused damage, it might be helpful to note its location, and even take a photo of it (safely, if possible). This could be useful later if you decide to report it or file a claim for damages.
- Get a professional inspection if needed: When in doubt, have a mechanic check your car. It’s better to catch a bent alignment, damaged suspension, or cracked rim early than to keep driving and worsen the problem. Continuing to drive on a compromised tire or misaligned wheels can make the car unsafe.
How can I avoid pothole damage to my car?
While you can’t avoid every pothole, smart driving habits can greatly reduce the chance of damage:
- Stay alert and scan the road: Try to avoid potholes in the first place by keeping your eyes up. On city streets, watch for shadowy dips or puddles (which can hide deep potholes). At night, drive on well-lit roads when possible so you have a better view of the pavement.
- Slow down on rough roads: If you can’t dodge a pothole, slow down before you hit it. Hitting a pothole at a lower speed means less force on your car. Just don’t brake during the impact – brake ahead of the pothole, then release the brake as you go over it. Your suspension can absorb the bump better when your wheels are rolling and not locked up.
- Keep a safe distance: Don’t tailgate; leaving space allows you to see and react to potholes that the car ahead might straddle or dodge.
- Maintain your tires: Properly inflated tires (not over- or under-inflated) give the best cushion against potholes. Check your tire pressure at least monthly. Adequate tire tread depth is also important – worn tires are more likely to be punctured.
- Use caution after rain or snow: Moisture often means potholes. Puddles are particularly risky because you can’t judge their depth. If you must drive through a puddle, go slowly and assume a pothole might be hiding under the water.
- Report bad potholes: If you encounter a particularly dangerous pothole, report it to your city or local transportation department. Getting potholes filled helps everyone (and might prevent someone else’s car from getting wrecked).
These tips can’t guarantee you’ll never hit a pothole, but they tilt the odds in your favor. In essence, be cautious and proactive: a little vigilance can spare your car a lot of damage.
Can I get reimbursed if a pothole damages my car?
In some areas, local governments or state transportation departments may reimburse drivers for pothole damage – but usually only under specific conditions. For example, a few cities or states (like Chicago or New York) have programs where if you file a claim and prove a pothole caused your damage, they might pay for repairs. Typically, you’d have to identify the exact location, show evidence (photos of the pothole and damage, repair bills), and file a formal claim within a certain time frame.
However, success rates for these claims tend to be low. Government agencies often have immunity or strict rules; they usually won’t pay out unless the pothole was already reported and not fixed in a reasonable time. Even then, there might be caps on reimbursement amounts. One insurance industry source notes that while you can pursue compensation from a city, “the chances are extremely slim” in many cases.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to try if you have significant damage and the process is available – just keep expectations realistic. Start by contacting the department of transportation or city public works for the area where it happened; many have online forms or claim instructions for pothole damage. Ultimately, though, most drivers end up paying out of pocket or using their own insurance rather than getting a check from the city.
Does car insurance cover pothole damage?
Collision coverage is what pays for repairs to your vehicle when you collide with an object (and a pothole is considered an object or road hazard). It’s an optional coverage (unless required by your lender), so you’d need to have added it – if you only carry liability insurance, then unfortunately pothole damage to your own car wouldn’t be covered by your insurance.
Even if collision coverage applies, you’ll still be responsible for your deductible. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and hitting a pothole causes $300 in damage (say a blown tire and bent rim), you’d have to pay that repair entirely out-of-pocket because it’s below your deductible. If the damage is $1,500, you’d pay your $500 deductible and insurance would cover the remaining $1,000. Keep in mind minor pothole damage often costs under the deductible, so it may not be worth filing a claim for small repairs.
It’s also important to consider the side effects: filing a pothole claim could count as an at-fault accident (since you “collided” with a road hazard). That means it might affect your insurance rates. You should always ask about it when considering a claim. Sometimes, if the damage cost is only a bit more than your deductible, you might choose to pay it yourself to avoid a potential premium increase.
For comprehensive coverage (which covers non-collision events like theft, hail, etc.), potholes typically do not fall under that – they’re generally a collision matter. One exception is if you swerved to avoid a pothole and hit something else (like a tree or curb), the resulting damage might still be a collision claim (since hitting the curb/tree is a collision).
The bottom line is that to be covered for pothole incidents, you need collision coverage on your policy. Most drivers do carry it – about 73% of U.S. insured drivers had collision coverage as of 2015. If you’re unsure whether you have it, check your policy or ask your insurer. And if you live in an area with crater-like streets, having this coverage is wise.
Finally, if you do have significant pothole damage, contact your insurance company promptly to discuss a claim. They’ll guide you on the next steps (inspection, estimates, etc.). And remember, if you’re worried about costs, having the right insurance can turn a potentially budget-breaking repair into a more manageable situation. If you want to review your coverage or get advice on protecting your car from pothole perils, reach out to Insure On The Spot at 773-202-5060 – we’re happy to help ensure you have the proper policy in place so those surprise potholes don’t wreak havoc on your finances.