Pothole Problems

WELCOME TO CHICAGO HOW POTHOLES EFFECT YOUR CAR AND YOUR COVERAGE MIDDLE EARTH LINCOLN INSURANCE AGENCY Winter 2014 has been particularly intense for the city of Chicago, and Chicagoland drivers even more so. Like the heavy snow, the terrible traffic conditions caused by this winter have all but melted away, though the weather has left its mark in other ways. Chicago drivers used to navigating the city's grid of side streets are no strangers to the amazing number of potholes taking up seemingly whole lanes of traffic. Every time your car powers through a pothole, it could have lasting damage, depending on the size of the crater in the road. Any time you take to the road in post-winter Chicago, your car has a great chance of encountering more than a few potholes. KNOW THE SIGNS It only takes one to cause lasting damage to your automobile, depending on the current state of your car. Want to know if your car is suffering from post-pothole damage? Here are the tell-tale signs: Turning in your car is noticeably different, and the car sways on turns. When you apply the brakes, the front of the car dips forward When accelerating, the back of your car dips. Your car bounces and shaķes noticeably when driving over rougher terrain The car bottoms out frequently over sudden inclines or declines The balance of the car is noticeably off, sitting lower in either front or back Visible damage, like dents to the exterior or leaking Car națurally veers to left or right when not corrected by steering. Loss of control wheń braking or accelerating. If you notice any of these issues, it's important to get them fixed Sooner than later to avoid further damage. ARE YOU COVERED? It's important to have up to date car insurance in general, but when road hazards are more common, like during early days of spring in Chicago, it's even more urgent. A common quéstion, often asked from thę side of the róad in an exasperated tone during a Chicago March and April, is "Does my insurance company cover pothole damage?" There are a few things that factor in to this answer. HAVE POTHOLE DAMAGE! AMI COVERED? NO. If you don't have collision insurance, then you're paying for total damages out of pocket. DO I HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE? YES YES. Wear and tear on tires, even resulting from nasty potholes, isn't covered by collision insurance. The cost of a blown or damaged tire will fall on you. ARE JUST MY TIRES DAMAGED? NO See our checklist above. If you feel your car is driving differently due to pothole damage, call your car insurance company and discuss your options. You may need an assessment completed by a mechanic. Your insurance company will provide instructions. IS MY CAR VISIBLY DAMAGED? NO YES Take photos of the car, the pothole, and call your car insurance company. If you have a damaged rim or exterior directly from the pothole, or hitting or avoiding the pothole caused you to hit something else, like a car or lamp post, then collision damage has you covered. Information provided by: LINCOLN INSURANCE AGENCY lincolnautoinsurance.com