OAI: Some Drivers May Not Have Auto Insurance Covering Pothole Damage

Boston, MA, February 14, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Although troublesome winter weather conditions may still be making daily life difficult for drivers in some parts of the country, a residual hazard is rearing its head in other parts where the rain and snow storms have recently passed. As rain and water from melted ice seep into the pavement, cracks begin to form, leaving road systems dotted with potholes.

What might be news to most drivers is the fact that a basic, state-required liability auto insurance policy most likely won’t cover damage incurred by a policyholder hitting a pothole. Liability policies insure the driver for damages that they cause to other people’s vehicles, meaning that damage to the insured car that have been caused by hitting a pothole would likely not be covered.

Damages that result from hitting a pothole would most likely be covered under a collision insurance policy, which is not required by law. Motorists interested in getting collision coverage can compare quotes from a number of companies and actually buy car insurance online in order to get protected for damages like this.

Hitting a pothole can have a range of consequences. It could mean just a bumpy ride, or it could mean a damaged suspension system or other serious problems. If hitting one causes a driver to lose control and hit another car, collision would likely cover for damage to the insured driver’s car, and property damage liability would apply to damages to any other vehicles.

Potholes generally form because of water seeping into cracks in the pavement and comprising the structural integrity of the road. In rainy areas, water loosens up the base levels. In colder areas, it seeps in during warmer times of the day and freezes during colder times. When it freezes, it also expands, and the cycle of freezing and thawing displaces the pavement and leaves it ripe for caving in.

Source: http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/cleanliness/pothole.asp

For more information about this and other insurance topics, readers can go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/buy/ where visitors will have access to informative resource pages as well as a free-to-use quote-comparison generator that can be used to find the best deals on a policy. Visitors will also be able to find a new FAQ outlining all the pertinent details about getting covered for pothole damage.

###