Is hitting a pothole comprehensive?
Asked by: Daphney Okuneva | Last update: August 29, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (23 votes)
Is hitting a pothole considered comprehensive or collision?
Collision coverage, an optional portion of a standard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a pothole, lamp post or guard rail), another car or as the result of flipping over.
Is hitting an object collision or comprehensive?
Comprehensive covers damage to your vehicle from unexpected non-collision incidents like theft, animal damage, falling trees, and weather damage. Collision covers damage to your vehicle that's the result of a collision with another vehicle or object.
What happens if you hit a pothole really hard?
How Badly Can Potholes Damage My Vehicle? Depending on the severity of the impact and the size of the pothole, potholes can cause bent wheel rims, internal tire damage, alignment problems, as well as shock and strut issues.
What type of damage would be covered under comprehensive?
Comprehensive coverage helps repair or replace your car after something other than a collision with another car. Things like theft, fire, hail damage or hitting an animal. It's optional if you own your car outright—but since these situations can happen to any driver, it's recommended to help with costly repairs.
What happens when you hit a pothole? | Driving.ca
What is one thing comprehensive coverage doesn t cover?
Comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by hitting another vehicle or object. These incidents are covered under collision coverage. It will also not cover normal wear and tear on your vehicle.
Does a comprehensive claim hurt your insurance?
Yes, a comprehensive claim might increase your rate, depending on your insurer and state.
Can you sue if a pothole damages your car?
If you sustained pothole damage to your car on the freeway or any other California highway, you'll want to file your claim with Caltrans. Caltrans will reimburse up to $10,000 or less for damages or injuries caused by a pothole, and it doesn't require a filing fee.
What happens when a tire hits a pothole?
Potholes pose a significant threat to your tires and wheels. The force of impact can result in punctures, bulges, or even bent rims. Check your tires for visible damage and ensure they are properly inflated to mitigate the risk of blowouts. Wheel weights can come loose and cause vibrations going down the road.
Is it better to hit a pothole fast or slow?
Slow down, then coast.
It's best to slow down before a pothole, and then release the brakes before you hit it.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.
Will my insurance go up if I hit an object?
Insurance companies consider hitting an object in the road to be an accident. Unfortunately, that means you will need to use your collision coverage, the incident will be considered your fault, and you'll likely see an increase in premium.
When to drop comprehensive coverage?
Your vehicle holds a low value: As with collision, consider dropping comprehensive coverage if your vehicle's market value is lower than a few thousand dollars. Figure in your deductible as well and the potential insurance payout may not be worth the price of the coverage.
Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?
If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.
Does Geico pay for pothole damage?
As I mentioned earlier, it falls under the collision part of your policy. That protects you against colliding with other vehicles or objects. In this case, you hit the pothole. The only exception to this are deer, although if you swerve to avoid the deer and hit something, that is collision.
Is hitting something in the road comprehensive or collision?
Collision coverage will pay for repairs if you accidentally run into or over an object on the road. Comprehensive coverage kicks in if the object flies through the air and hits your car.
How much does it cost to fix a pothole in the road?
Factors Affecting Pothole Repair Cost. The average repair cost per pothole runs between $100 and $400, though this number can vary greatly due to the following variables.
Is my car OK if I hit a pothole?
Common consequences include a bent rim, messed-up wheel alignment, or a dented frame. If you notice the car driving differently after hitting a pothole, park it immediately and call for a tow truck.
Is pothole damage covered?
Does insurance cover pothole damage? Yes, but only if you carry collision coverage. This coverage is optional, but it can cover you if you hit an obstacle such as a guard rail, telephone pole, or pothole.
What kind of damage can driving over a pothole cause?
When you hit a pothole, it rocks the entire suspension system and can cause premature wear and tear on shocks and struts. Spotting damage to shocks and struts can be tricky. A flat tire or bent rim is obvious after slamming into a pothole; you'll have a hard time driving with either of these problems.
How many accidents are caused by potholes?
The Independent Transport Commission found that pothole-related incidents cause about 1% of all road accidents. For motorcyclists and cyclists, the risks are even higher. A survey by Cycling UK revealed that 31% of its members had been involved in accidents or near misses due to poor road surfaces, including potholes.
Who is responsible for road debris damage in California?
Fault Considerations
Under California's Vehicle Code, anyone who causes debris to fall into the roadway is responsible for its removal. Similarly, anyone who causes debris to fall into a roadway may be held responsible for any harm that debris causes.
How much will my car insurance go up after a comprehensive claim?
By State. You can expect the most elevated car insurance rates post-accident in California, where the average increase is more than 74 percent.
What does comprehensive insurance not cover?
There are several things that comprehensive insurance does not cover, including: Damage from a collision. Damage to another driver's car from a collision. Medical expenses after an accident.
When would you file a comprehensive claim?
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by events considered to be outside of your control, like theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, glass breakage, fire, and weather-related incidents (e.g., hail).