The number of potholes appearing on the streets of Metro Vancouver has significantly spiked over the last year: and insurers in the region should be ready to handle claims related to the severe condition of the roads.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, there has been a 33% year-over-year increase of potholes in the area. Another survey by Kal Tire found that 77% of Metro Vancouver motorists said that they have hit a pothole this year – of those, 40% said that their vehicles suffered damage as a result.
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“The kinds of things you’re looking for are did that impact cause immediate damage? If I blew a tire, I may have more damage than just the tire and rim, if the vehicle is making noise or the steering wheel is choppy or shimmying in their hands they know they’ve bent a rim,” Kal Tire spokesperson Bill Gardener told CTV.
Potholes can lead to damaged tires and rims, misaligned wheels, and suspension issues, among other things. Gardner also cautioned that automobiles that lack adequate tire pressure are more vulnerable to pothole-related damages.
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“The number one factor for motorists is that if they’re driving on under inflated tires they’re vulnerable to damage to any kind of rough or potholes - so their number one line of defense is having the correct tire pressure,” he explained.
CTV recommends that consumers may be able to claim with ICBC depending on what type of coverage they have. If an insurer believes a municipality is liable for pothole-related damages, it could contact the city and file a claim. Those consumers who do not have collision coverage may have to file a claim against the city on their own.
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