Beware of Potholes!
Potholes develop when water seeps into cracks in the pavement, freezes and then expands, creating small pockets in the road's subsurface. As the process happens again and again, and as traffic travels over the pocket, the space eventually collapses. Heavy vehicles like buses and trucks also contribute to the pothole problem because their weight can damage the road's subsurface over time, according to the City of San Diego's website.
Potholes most often appear in the spring because the season's combination of rain, melting snow and below-freezing nighttime temperatures provide the optimum conditions for their formation.
Insurance coverage
Hitting a pothole can be a jarring experience for both the driver and car. But while the driver and passengers don't usually suffer any long term injury, a vehicle may. Its tires, steering, suspension and alignment can all be damaged if the pothole is deep or a driver simply hits it the wrong way, according to AAA.
Repairing pothole damage can be expensive, but you may have help if you carry collision coverage on your vehicle. Collision insurance is optional, and it will raise your auto insurance premium -- but it usually covers damage that results from colliding with a pothole, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, before your insurance kicks in, you will be responsible for paying any policy deductibles, which usually range from $250 to $1,000.
