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Pothole Damage: Does Car Insurance Cover It, and Can You Claim It from the City or State?

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published November 1, 2026

Short answer: Pothole damage to your own car is usually covered by collision coverage, so your deductible applies. Liability-only policies do not pay for your own car. You may also be able to file a claim with the city, county, or state agency that maintains the road, but those claims often have short deadlines, caps, or require proof the agency knew about the hole.

A deep pothole can do more than jolt you. It can blow a tire, crack a wheel, knock the alignment out, or damage struts, tie rods, and the exhaust. Potholes are especially common in late winter and spring, when water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks up the pavement. When the repair bill lands, the questions are simple: does car insurance pay, and can the city or state be made to pay instead?

The short video below covers the basics in about half a minute. It uses licensed stock footage of road repair and driving, not footage of any real claim. The full guide follows.

Is pothole damage covered by car insurance?

Usually yes, if you carry collision coverage. The Insurance Information Institute says collision coverage pays for damage from hitting an object, and it specifically notes that collision also covers damage caused by potholes. Collision pays the repair cost minus your deductible.

A few points often surprise drivers:

• Liability-only policies don't help. Liability pays for damage you cause to others, not your own car.
• Comprehensive usually isn't the right coverage. Comprehensive covers non-collision events such as theft, fire, hail, and falling objects. Hitting a hole in the road is generally treated as a collision.
• Wear and tear is excluded. If a tire was already bald or a suspension part was already failing, the insurer may pay only for the damage the pothole caused.
• A single-car collision may count as at fault. Some insurers treat pothole claims as at-fault accidents for rating purposes. Ask your insurer how it handles them.

Should you file the claim at all?

Many pothole repairs are smaller than drivers expect, and many are close to a typical deductible. The math often looks like this:

Before filing, compare the estimate against your deductible and ask whether the claim could affect your premium at renewal. A small claim that saves a few hundred dollars now may cost more over the next few years. Some tire shops sell road-hazard warranties that cover tire and sometimes wheel damage, and these can be worth checking before you call your insurer.

Can you claim pothole damage from the government?

Often you can try. The agency that maintains the road, whether a city, county, or state department of transportation, may accept damage claims. But these claims usually have strict rules, and many are denied.

Two state examples show how much the rules vary:

• Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Department of Transportation says pothole damage claims for state roads must be received within seven days of the incident. It says state law caps reimbursement at $300. It also handles state-maintained roads only, not city streets.
• South Carolina: The South Carolina Department of Transportation allows one year to file under the state Tort Claims Act. It requires two repair estimates or one paid invoice plus vehicle registration. To be payable, the damage must have happened on a state-maintained road, and SCDOT must have known about the defect beforehand and failed to fix it within a reasonable time.

That "prior notice" rule appears in many states. If no one reported the pothole before you hit it, the agency may not be liable. Government claims are also separate from your insurance claim. If your insurer pays first, it may try to recover its payment from the agency through subrogation.

What evidence to collect

1. Photos of the pothole with something for scale, plus wide shots showing the street, the nearest cross street, and the direction of travel. Only do this when it's safe to stop.
2. Photos of the damage to your tire, wheel, and anything underneath the car.
3. The exact location, date, and time. A map pin or GPS screenshot helps.
4. Repair estimates and paid receipts, including towing.
5. Any prior reports of the pothole, such as a 311 ticket or a city repair request log, if you can find them.
6. Your own report. Report the hole to the road agency right away. It helps other drivers, and it creates a record.

Who maintains the road?

Before filing a government claim, confirm which agency maintains the road. Interstates and numbered state routes are often state-maintained, but many city streets, county roads, and toll roads are run by other agencies. Filing with the wrong agency can cost you a short deadline. Many state DOT websites offer a road-ownership map, and city 311 services can tell you whether a street is city-maintained.

If you're comparing collision deductibles or wondering whether your coverage makes sense for your car's value, you can talk to a licensed agent. Call (888) 217-5854 for free quotes.

FAQ

Does comprehensive cover pothole damage?

Usually not. Pothole damage is generally treated as a collision, so collision coverage applies. Check your own policy wording.

Will a pothole claim raise my insurance?

It can. Some insurers treat it as an at-fault single-car accident. Others may not surcharge it. Ask your insurer before filing a small claim.

How long do I have to file a pothole claim with the city or state?

It varies widely. Rhode Island's DOT says seven days for state roads, while South Carolina's DOT allows one year. Check the agency's own claim page as soon as possible.

Will the government pay my deductible?

Sometimes. If a road-agency claim is approved, it may reimburse costs your insurer didn't pay, subject to caps and state law.

Is a bent rim covered by car insurance?

A bent rim from a pothole is usually covered under collision, minus your deductible. Many rim repairs cost less than the deductible.

Questions about your coverage? Call a licensed agent at (888) 217-5854 to compare free quotes.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.