Ah, spring! When our thoughts turn to … potholes?
Spring seems to finally be arriving, and with the melting snow comes, no, not birds and flowers but . . . potholes. Those pesky pits in the road may not seem like a big deal, but they can cause damage to cars, and even injury to drivers and riders.
If you have collision insurance, then the good news is that pothole damage is usually covered. (Collision coverage, an optional portion of a standard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object such as a guard rail, pothole, or another car.) Unfortunately however, collision insurance does not cover the wear and tear to your car and its tires which can result from the ragged conditions on springtime roads.
If you can avoid driving over a pothole, do so. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to swerve or change lanes, and some of them seem to come out of nowhere. Here are a few tips to reduce the chance of damaging your vehicle from potholes.
- Keep your tires inflated per your manufacturer’s recommended tire air pressure. This protects your wheel rims from being damaged. It is important not to over- or under-inflate tires.
- Keep a safe following distance. That way, you’ll have time to react if another car swerves to avoid a pothole, and time to spot – and avoid – potholes yourself.
- Reduce your speed in inclement weather. Even in good weather, it is difficult to tell size or depth of potholes. Rain or fog reduces the likelihood you’ll see a pothole in time to avoid it. Keeping your speed down gives you additional time to react before damage occurs.
Good luck, and stay safe out there!
