Will Your Car Insurance Pay for Damage Caused by a Pothole?

Such protections and other free perks can sway you to purchase from one tire retailer over another, but be sure you understand the restrictions before putting much weight on this benefit. Typically, the customer still has to pay for mounting, balancing, and disposal. That said, our tire experts feel that a road hazard warranty can be good protection, especially if you live in a pothole-plagued area and/or have expensive, short-sidewall tires.

Ultimately, the best protection against pothole damage is awareness, followed by speed moderation, a spare tire, and road hazard protection.

But there is one more trick: Run-flat tires are a good hedge against pothole damage. If one loses air pressure, you can safely drive for about 50 miles—plenty of distance to seek assistance on most routes. However, run-flats tend to ride stiffly, and because they are less common, finding a matching replacement tire while traveling can be a challenge.

Learn more in our pothole survival guide. And see how to save on car insurance.