Does Car Insurance Cover Pothole Damage?

It is the sound you never forget: a hard thud, a jolt through the steering wheel and then, a few seconds later, a flapping tire or a wobble you did not have before. A pothole has just cost you money. The next question is a familiar one: will my car insurance cover it? In many cases it can, but whether you should file a claim is a different matter. This guide explains which coverage applies, what pothole damage usually costs and your options if the repair bill is only a little higher than your deductible.

How common is pothole damage?

More common, and more expensive, than many people think. AAA surveys have found that 1 in 10 drivers sustained pothole damage serious enough to need a repair in 2021, at an average of nearly $600 per repair, which added up to about $26.5 billion for the year. A later AAA survey estimated that about 44 million U.S. drivers had a pothole repair, up from 28 million in 2021, with an average repair cost of about $406. Tires, wheels and suspension take the brunt of the impact, and the same drivers often return to the shop more than once.

The short answer: collision coverage

When your car hits a pothole, that is treated as a collision with an object, just like hitting a curb or a pole. So the part of your policy that normally applies is collision coverage. It pays to repair or replace your car, minus your deductible, no matter who is at fault.

Collision: usually covers pothole damage to tires, wheels, suspension and the body.
Comprehensive: does not usually cover it, because a pothole is not a theft, fire or weather event.
Liability only: does not cover damage to your own car.

As an AAA insurance spokesperson put it, drivers who opt for minimum coverage may be in for an unpleasant surprise when potholes strike. Our guide on whether full coverage is worth it explains how collision and comprehensive differ.

The deductible problem

This is where most pothole claims fall apart. A single damaged tire or a bent wheel can cost a few hundred dollars. A suspension repair can cost much more. But if your collision deductible is $500 or $1,000, you may find that the repair is barely above it, or even below it. Here are a couple of examples:

Repair cost $350, deductible $500. There is no claim to make, because the repair is less than your deductible.
Repair cost $1,800, deductible $500. You pay $500, and your insurer pays $1,300.

Read how to choose a deductible to see how the choice affects both your premium and situations like this.

Should you file a claim?

A common rule is not to file when the repair is less than or only a little more than the deductible. There is another reason to be careful. Insurers often treat a single-car collision claim, including a pothole, as an at-fault claim. That can affect your premium at renewal, and it may cost you a safe-driver or claim-free discount. Practices differ by company and state, so ask your insurer how it would handle a pothole claim before you file. Our article on why car insurance goes up when you have no accident covers how claims can change your price.

Weigh these questions:

How much is the repair after the deductible?
How long would a surcharge last, and how much would it cost?
Do you have a claim-free discount to protect?
Is there another way to cover the cost?

Other ways to pay for the repair

Tire and wheel road-hazard warranty. Many tire shops sell a warranty that covers damage from road hazards such as potholes, and it may pay for a new tire or wheel without involving your insurer. If you bought one with your tires, check it.
Roadside assistance. If you have it, a flat tire change or a tow after the impact may be covered.
Claim against the road owner. Cities, counties and states are sometimes responsible for road damage, but it is hard to win. See the next section.
Pay it yourself. If the repair is small, this can be cheaper than a claim that raises your premium for years.

Can you make the city or state pay?

Sometimes, but do not count on it. Rules for claims against a government body differ widely. Many require you to give written notice within a short time, which can be as little as a few weeks, and to prove that the agency knew about the hole or should have. Success rates are low in many places, and some local reporting has found that agencies pay out only a minority of the road-damage claims they receive. If you want to try, find your city, county or state’s claim process online, note the exact location, take clear photos of the pothole with something for scale and keep your repair receipts.

What to do right after you hit one

Pull over somewhere safe as soon as you can, and look for a flat or bulging tire, leaking fluid or a pulling steering wheel.
Photograph the pothole, the location and the damage. Note the street, the nearest address and the date and time.
Have the car inspected, even if it seems fine. Alignment and suspension damage can show up later, as a vibration, a pull to one side or uneven tire wear.
Get a written repair estimate, and keep all receipts.
If you decide to claim, contact your insurer promptly. Our step-by-step claims guide explains what to expect.

How to avoid pothole damage

AAA recommends a few habits that cost nothing:

Check your tire pressure, tread depth and alignment regularly. Properly inflated tires with good tread take impacts better.
Look well ahead, and put down your phone. Many potholes can be seen in time.
If you cannot avoid one, slow down gradually before you reach it, and release the brake just before impact, rather than slamming on the brakes.
Do not swerve suddenly. Check your surroundings first, because a swerve can cause a worse crash.
Be careful of puddles, which can hide deep holes, especially after rain or a thaw.

Check your own coverage this month

Take a few minutes to look at your declarations page. Confirm whether you have collision coverage, what your deductible is and whether you have roadside assistance. If you are on a tight budget, our guide to ways to lower your premium shows where you can save without cutting the protection that matters most. And if you drive an older car, how much car insurance you need can help you decide what is worth keeping. When you are ready to see other options, compare quotes with different deductibles.

Sources

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Written by the StateCarInsuranceUSA editorial team. Last updated October 23, 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.