02/29/2024
POTHOLES — ALAS, A DEEP SUBJECT.
As we proceed into spring, we’re sure you’ve noticed an alarming increase in potholes! No surprise, because:
• There are an estimated 55 million potholes in the USA.
• 44 million drivers had to fork over money in 2023 for vehicle repairs after an unwelcome encounter with a pothole, according to a study by AAA.
• AAA also reports that pothole damage costs U.S. drivers $3 billion per year.
• AAA reports that the average cost of a pothole repair was $406 in 2022.
• According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, 1 out of every 5 miles of highway pavement in the USA is in poor condition.
So as spring weather approaches, you should brush up on your dodging potholes skill set.
Of course, some states present a bigger pothole problem than others, and some cities are worse than others. Here are the top 10 states with the worst pothole problems — alas, Maryland is tied with New Jersey for #8, and is just behind New York overall!
Worst States for Potholes
1. Washington State
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
4. Tennessee
5. Indiana
6. California
7. New York
8. (tie) Maryland and New Jersey
10. Georgia
Many of the cities are even worse, as might be imagined. The actual list of 10 worst pothole-ridden cities is:
1. New York, NY
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Minneapolis, MN
4. Nashville, TN
5. San Francisco, CA
6. Spokane, WA
7. Yakima, WA
8. Washington D.C.
9. Seattle, WA
10. Kansas City, KS/MO
At least BALTIMORE METRO wasn't on the above list!
How to Reduce Your Risk of Pothole Damage
Regardless of where you live, there are a few things you can do to minimize the pothole damage — and the associated costs — even if you can’t avoid the car-eating craters.
1. Reduce your speed and straighten your wheels. It’s not always possible to avoid a pothole, but the faster you hit a pothole, the more damage your car may sustain. To reduce the force with which your vehicle hits a pothole, slow down and then release your brakes before you make contact with the pothole. At the same time, straighten your wheels to hit the pothole squarely. Doing so allows you to coast over the pothole, reducing the risk of damage to your suspension and wheels.
2. Stay alert. It may not be possible to see every pothole, especially at night or on water-washed roadways, but staying alert and looking ahead can help you avoid more obvious or substantial potholes.
3. Be cautious when water is on the roadway. Rain storms and melting snow can make it difficult to spot a pothole, especially if it’s hiding under a puddle. Slow down if you see a puddle or standing water on the road.
4. Stay on top of vehicle maintenance. Under-inflated or worn tires are more vulnerable to pothole damage than those that are newer and properly inflated. Similarly, unaddressed issues with your steering or suspension can lead to more significant damage after a pothole encounter.
5. Be on the lookout for vehicle changes after hitting a pothole. If you hit a pothole and start hearing a new noise or feel a change in the way your vehicle is driving (such as pulling to the left or right), make an appointment with a mechanic as soon as you can to prevent further damage.
Paying for Repairs: Car Insurance and Potholes
Hitting a pothole is more than a jarring experience for the car and driver: It can be downright brutal on your wallet. An unexpected tussle with a pothole can lead to a range of vehicle damage, including blown-out tires, bends and cracks in wheels and a misaligned suspension.
Some drivers may be able to seek restitution from the jurisdiction that manages the offending road, but many are left to foot the bill on their own.
Car insurance can help, but only if you have the right type of coverage. Collision car insurance typically covers the cost of pothole damage repairs, but don’t assume it’s included in your existing policy.
If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender or lessor will likely require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Otherwise, there are no state or federal laws requiring drivers to carry collision coverage!
You should check with Butch Tilley at York Insurance Services, Inc. AT NO COST TO YOU, Butch will review your insurance policy to see if your policy includes the right type of coverage to cover pothole damage!
The proper coverage can also help you cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle if:
• You’re at fault for an accident and your vehicle sustained damage.
• Your vehicle was damaged in a hit-and-run accident.
• There is no way to prove whether you or the other driver was at fault in an accident.
• You collided with an object other than a vehicle, such as a pole, guardrail or fence.
• Your vehicle was damaged by an accident, and the at-fault driver is either uninsured or underinsured (uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage would kick in first, if you have it).
Note: for more information, please visit:
https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/auto-insurance/states-with-worst-potholes/
