Is Pothole Damage Covered by Car Insurance?
It depends on three factors:
1. Your coverage type. Liability-only policies don't cover pothole damage to your vehicle. You need collision coverage for any chance of coverage.
2. Your insurer's policy. Some insurers classify pothole damage as a covered collision. Others exclude it as "road hazard damage" alongside tire wear, flat tires, and undercarriage scrapes.
3. Your deductible. Even if your policy covers potholes, you'll pay your collision deductible first. If repairs cost $600 and your deductible is $1,000, insurance pays nothing.
Bottom line: Pothole damage is sometimes covered by collision insurance—but it's never automatic, and your deductible often makes filing a claim impractical.
When Collision Insurance Covers Pothole Damage
If your policy includes collision coverage and doesn't specifically exclude road hazards, pothole damage may be covered.
What qualifies:
- You hit a pothole and damage suspension components
- The impact bends a wheel rim or damages the axle
- Your tire blows out due to pothole impact and causes additional damage (e.g., to the fender or undercarriage)
- Alignment is knocked out of place by pothole impact
You'll pay your deductible. Collision coverage applies minus your deductible. So if damage costs $1,200 and your deductible is $500, insurance covers $700.
For a full breakdown of what collision covers and doesn't cover, see our guide on comprehensive vs collision insurance.
When Insurance Doesn't Cover Pothole Damage
You only have liability coverage. Liability insurance covers damage you cause to others—never damage to your own vehicle. Pothole damage requires collision coverage at minimum.
Your policy excludes road hazards. Many insurers exclude "road hazard" damage, which includes:
- Potholes
- Speed bumps
- Curbs
- Debris on the roadway
This exclusion is buried in policy fine print. Check your declarations page or call your agent to confirm.
The damage is below your deductible. If repairs cost $400 and your deductible is $500, filing a claim doesn't help. You'd pay the full amount either way.
You only have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive covers non-collision damage (theft, weather, vandalism). Pothole damage is considered a collision with a road surface, so comprehensive doesn't apply.
Tire damage only. Most insurers exclude tire-only damage from pothole impacts. If the pothole blows out your tire but doesn't damage the rim, suspension, or alignment, you'll likely pay out of pocket.
For more on what car insurance does and doesn't cover, see our guide on what does car insurance cover.
What Pothole Damage Looks Like
Pothole impacts cause several types of damage:
Tire damage:
- Sidewall bulges or cuts
- Tread separation
- Complete blowouts
Wheel damage:
- Bent or cracked rims
- Cosmetic scuffs and dents
Suspension damage:
- Bent control arms or tie rods
- Damaged struts or shocks
- Broken ball joints
Alignment issues:
- Pulling to one side
- Uneven tire wear
- Steering wheel off-center
Undercarriage damage:
- Scraped or cracked oil pans
- Damaged exhaust components
- Broken splash shields
Pothole damage costs vary widely:
- Tire replacement: $100–$300 per tire
- Rim repair or replacement: $200–$500 per wheel
- Suspension repair: $500–$1,500
- Alignment: $75–$150
If multiple components are damaged, total costs can easily exceed $2,000.
Should You File a Claim for Pothole Damage?
Consider these factors before filing:
Compare damage cost to your deductible. If repairs cost $700 and your deductible is $1,000, you gain nothing by filing. Pay out of pocket.
Consider rate impacts. Some insurers don't surcharge for single pothole claims, treating them like comprehensive (no-fault) claims. Others may increase your premium at renewal, especially if you've filed multiple claims recently.
Check if your policy even covers it. Call your insurer before filing to confirm pothole damage is covered under your specific policy. Don't assume.
Weigh the long-term cost. If filing a $1,200 claim raises your annual premium by $300 for three years, you've paid $900 in increased premiums—reducing your net benefit to $300.
General rule: File a claim only if damage significantly exceeds your deductible (by $1,000+) and your insurer confirms coverage without rate increases.
How to File a Pothole Damage Claim
If you decide to file a claim:
1. Document everything immediately.
- Take photos of the pothole (location, size, depth)
- Take photos of all vehicle damage (tires, wheels, undercarriage)
- Note the exact location (street name, cross streets, GPS coordinates)
- Record date and time of incident
2. Get a damage estimate. Visit a repair shop for a written estimate. This helps you determine if filing makes financial sense.
3. Contact your insurance company. Report the claim and ask:
- Does my policy cover pothole damage?
- What's my deductible for this type of claim?
- Will this claim affect my rates?
4. Consider a municipal claim. In some cases, you can file a claim with your city or county government if the pothole was on a public road and they failed to maintain it properly. Requirements vary:
- You must prove the municipality knew about the pothole and failed to repair it
- You'll need documentation (photos, prior complaints, witnesses)
- Claims often have strict deadlines (30–90 days)
- Success rates are low, but it's worth trying if damage is severe
5. Follow through with repairs. Once your claim is approved, get repairs done at an approved shop or submit receipts for reimbursement.
Can You Sue the City for Pothole Damage?
Yes—but it's difficult and often unsuccessful.
What you need to prove:
- The pothole was on a public road (not private property)
- The city or county was responsible for maintaining that road
- They had prior notice of the pothole and reasonable time to repair it
- Their negligence directly caused your damage
Challenges:
- Government entities have sovereign immunity protections
- Burden of proof is on you
- You must file within tight deadlines (often 30–90 days)
- Legal costs may exceed your damages
When it might be worth it:
- Damage exceeds $3,000–$5,000
- You have clear documentation and witnesses
- The pothole was reported to the city multiple times without action
Most drivers find the process too difficult and time-consuming for typical pothole damage amounts.
How to Prevent Pothole Damage
Stay alert. Watch the road ahead, not just the car in front of you. Scan for potholes, especially after rain or snow when they're filled with water and harder to see.
Slow down. Hitting a pothole at 50 mph causes exponentially more damage than at 20 mph. Reduce speed when driving on damaged roads.
Avoid sudden swerving. Swerving to avoid a pothole can cause you to lose control or hit another vehicle. If you can't safely avoid it, it's better to hit the pothole straight-on at reduced speed.
Maintain proper tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are more vulnerable to pothole damage. Check pressure monthly.
Don't overload your vehicle. Excess weight increases the force of impact when you hit a pothole, raising the risk of suspension damage.
Avoid puddles. You can't see the depth of a pothole hidden under water. Assume any large puddle could be concealing a deep hole.
Check alignment and suspension regularly. Catching minor damage early prevents it from escalating into expensive repairs.
What If You Don't Have Collision Coverage?
If you only have liability coverage, you're paying 100% of pothole damage out of pocket. This is one reason why collision coverage is valuable—even for older vehicles.
Should you add collision? It depends:
Add collision if:
- Your car is worth $5,000+
- You can't afford $1,000–$2,000 in unexpected repair costs
- You drive frequently on poorly maintained roads
Skip collision if:
- Your car is worth less than $3,000
- Annual collision premium + deductible exceeds 50% of your car's value
- You have significant emergency savings
For more guidance, see our article on do I need collision if I have comprehensive.
You can also read our guide on how much car insurance do I need to determine appropriate coverage levels.
Alternatives to Insurance for Pothole Damage
Emergency fund. Set aside $1,000–$2,000 for unexpected car repairs. This eliminates the need to file small claims.
Vehicle service contracts. Some extended warranties or mechanical breakdown insurance policies cover suspension and alignment issues, though pothole damage is often excluded.
Credit card protection. A few credit cards offer roadside assistance or rental car coverage while your vehicle is being repaired, though they don't cover the repairs themselves.
Municipal claims. As mentioned earlier, filing a claim with your city is free and occasionally successful, especially if damage is severe and well-documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Comprehensive covers non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, and weather. Pothole damage is considered a collision with the road surface, so only collision coverage applies—and even then, many policies exclude it.
It depends on your insurer. Some treat pothole claims like comprehensive (no-fault) claims and don't surcharge. Others may increase your rates, especially if you've filed multiple recent claims. Ask your insurer before filing.
Your liability coverage would cover damage to the other vehicle, but only if you were at fault (e.g., you lost control after hitting the pothole and crashed into them). Simply hitting a pothole doesn't make you liable for others' damage.
Usually no. Most insurers exclude tire-only damage from coverage. If the pothole also damages your rim, suspension, or undercarriage, collision coverage may apply.
Yes, but success is rare. You must prove the city knew about the pothole, had reasonable time to fix it, and failed to do so. Documentation is critical, and deadlines are tight (often 30–90 days).
Warning signs include: pulling to one side, steering wheel vibration, uneven tire wear, visible damage to rims or tires, clunking noises from suspension, or your steering wheel sitting off-center. Have a mechanic inspect if you experience any of these after hitting a pothole.