After a long winter season, it is always a relief when spring finally arrives. In addition to budding trees, tulips and litters of new born wildlife, a telltale sign of the end of winter are potholes appearing in the street. These annoying and sometimes dangerous road craters are caused each year by snow plows tearing open asphalt patches in the road.

While we all try to avoid potholes when driving our cars, sometimes hitting one is inevitable. Often, it is very difficult to tell whether a collision with a pothole has damaged a vehicle.

Here are some great signs that you can look for to determine whether you need to go to the mechanic after the pothole monster has struck.

Changes in the Steering Wheel 

Hitting a good sized pothole can often throw your car out of alignment. A good indication of this is if your steering wheel suddenly seems to be off kilter. Should you notice that your car suddenly pulls to one side or another, have a qualified repair facility check your front wheel alignment.

Odd Noises Appear 

The front end of your car is not the only area that a pothole can damage. If your vehicle suddenly sounds louder than usual or you hear any scraping from the bottom of the car, that dreaded pothole may have torn up your exhaust system. An inspection on a lift will determine if anything is wrong with the car’s muffler or exhaust pipes.

Steering Wheel Develops a Shimmy

A shimmy is another word for a bad shake or vibration from your steering wheel. The impact from a bad pothole hit can sometimes cause a car’s front end parts or tire rims to get damaged. If your steering wheel suddenly starts to wobble or shake, be sure to have the car checked out by a qualified mechanic

Flat Tire

One of the most obvious signs of pothole damage is immediately getting a flat tire. Should this happen, try to slowly drive the car off of the road to a safe spot. If you know how to change a tire, you can do it there.

Another option is to call a tow truck or your motor club to come out and put a spare on the car. When you take your tire into the repair shop, ask them to also to inspect your steel or aluminum rim. Often, a pothole collision will not only damage a tire, but also the wheel.

The people at the garage can determine whether it is safe to put the rim and tire back on the car.  If not, you might have to bear the expense of having to replace them.

Will My Car Insurance Cover Pothole Damage?

The quick answer is it depends. If you purchased collision insurance in addition to liability coverage, your auto policy will pay the cost of fixing the car. However, you will need to satisfy your deductible before your insurance pays anything to the repair center.

Selecting the Right Auto Policy for You

Since 1986, Insure On The Spot has helped over one million families find the right auto insurance plan to meet their exact needs. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you obtain the proper coverage for your car, contact us today.  We are happy to discuss what policy options are available to you.