Fluctuating temperatures in winter put a lot of stress on roadways, resulting in early outbreaks of potholes. Potholes are not only a nuisance, they can also pose a serious hazard to drivers and can cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Driving cautiously is always important, but more so on roads filled with potholes. The best advice for dealing with potholes is to avoid them and minimize potential damage, but it is not always possible to deviate from your way to avoid them. Here are some tips to minimize damages.
Safety tips to avoid pothole pitfalls
- Never hit your brakes before encountering a pothole.
- Try and slow down as much as possible if contact with a pothole is inevitable. Let off the brakes the moment before you hit the pothole allowing your car to absorb the blow.
- Hold the steering wheel tightly. Hitting a pothole with a loose grip can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Be especially wary of puddles during the end of winter, they can conceal massive potholes large enough to cause severe damage to your car.
- Always maintain the proper air pressure in your tires.
- Leave lots of room in front of your vehicle so you can see the road ahead and avoid potholes.
Indications you should have your vehicle checked for damage
Potholes and insurance
- Damages are covered by your insurance company if you have collision or All perils coverage (Section B of the insurance contract).
- Before making a claim, consider your deductible and the dollar value of the damage. Also consider the fact that the claim will show in your claims file.
