Potholes Are a $26.5 Billion Problem for Drivers
Data from AAA shows that drivers paid $26.5 billion—that’s billion with a ‘B’—for pothole repairs in 2021.
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
You’d be hard-pressed to name a more infuriating early-spring menace in cold weather states than potholes. While Daylight Saving Time and
spring cleaning
may tie for second place, at least they don’t cost drivers more than $26 billion annually in repairs
.Just in time for pothole season, data from a new
AAA survey
found that 1 in 10 drivers sustained enough damage from hitting a pothole to require a significant repair in 2021. With an average cost of nearly $600 per repair, pothole damage cost American drivers $26.5 billion in 2021 alone. And with an average of two pothole-related repairs per these same drivers, AAA notes that America’s roadways are in desperate need of urgent TLC.Not all auto insurance policies will cover damage caused by potholes (unless you specifically opted for
collision coverage
, which might then cover you). For those not covered, it’s an issue typically left to the governing authority or municipality that maintains those roads. That’s unlikely, though, as most cities, states, or counties will only be liable for damages if they didn’t fix a known pothole within a reasonable time after learning of it.Infrastructure in disrepair
With the volume of potholes on the road, it’s likely increasingly difficult for government agencies to keep track. Some states are taking action to address the pothole crisis; Michigan’s governor is attempting to kick the state’s pothole repair push into overdrive, launching a plan to pump $3.5 billion into the state’s highways and bridges.
Anyone who’s had experience dodging potholes on major Detroit-area roads like I-94 or M-39 would understand how long overdue this is.
But until the nation addresses this pothole scourge, it’s best to avoid these pitfalls as much as possible—and make sure your insurance will cover it if your car falls victim to this menace.
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