Three Types of Pothole Damage, Three Different Answers

1. A Blown Tire From Hitting a Pothole

This is the most common pothole-related claim, and it’s typically covered under collision coverage, since the tire damage resulted from striking an object on the road, even though that “object” was actually a gap in the pavement rather than a solid item.

2. Bent Rims or Wheel Damage

Deeper potholes, common across North Ridgeville after Ohio’s freeze-thaw winters, can bend or crack a wheel rim on impact. This generally falls under the same collision coverage as tire damage, though the repair cost is often significantly higher, which makes checking your deductible worthwhile before filing a claim.

3. Suspension or Alignment Damage

A harder hit can throw off a vehicle’s alignment or damage suspension components. KLT Insurance regularly fields questions from North Ridgeville drivers surprised that this type of damage is treated the same way as tire and rim damage, since collision coverage generally applies regardless of which specific vehicle part sustained the impact.

The Catch: You Need Collision Coverage

Pothole damage is not covered under liability-only policies, which is the minimum required in Ohio. Without collision coverage specifically added to a policy, pothole-related repairs become an out-of-pocket expense. This is worth checking now, before hitting a deep pothole on a dark, unfamiliar road.

Does It Matter Who Maintains the Road?

In some cases, if a pothole was reported to the local municipality and went unaddressed for an unreasonable period, a driver may have grounds to file a claim against the city or county for damages. This is a separate process from an insurance claim and typically requires documentation of the report and resulting damage, though success varies significantly by municipality.

A Few Practical Steps After Hitting a Pothole

• Photograph the pothole and your vehicle’s damage as soon as it’s safe to do so
• Note the exact location, since this matters if you pursue a municipal claim
• Have your vehicle inspected promptly, since alignment issues aren’t always immediately obvious
• Check whether your deductible makes filing an insurance claim worthwhile for the specific repair cost

KLT Insurance helps North Ridgeville drivers understand exactly how collision coverage responds to road conditions like this, so a pothole doesn’t turn into an unexpected financial surprise. Reach out through KLT Insurance to review your coverage.