Christmas is over, winter has come—lasted a very long time—and gone, but before spring can happily arrive, Long Island needs to take care of a few little problems: potholes.
These holes in the road are nothing but a dangerous nuisance, with some as small as a golf ball, and others as big as a car itself, the pothole problem across Long Island needs immediate fixing.
Thanks to AllState, residents now have some helpful tips on what they can do to protect their vehicles from pothole damage. These tips may help drivers avoid flats, crashes and enjoy a much smoother ride on an otherwise hazardous road.
To avoid pothole damage to your car:
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle so you have time to safely swerve to avoid potholes and crashes.
• If you cannot avoid hitting a pothole, slow down instead of braking as you approach a pothole. Braking actually causes more damage in a pothole situation.
• When driving over a pothole, hold the steering wheel firmly to maintain control of your vehicle.
• Use caution and drive slowly when driving over a puddle or through the snow, which may be hiding deep potholes.
However, if you do experience pothole damage to your vehicle, contact your insurance agent to determine if you are covered under your current policy. Most damage or crashes caused by driving over potholes are covered under traditional collision insurance. Many cities also offer reimbursement for pothole-related damage, so drivers should check with their local governments to determine if their cities offer coverage. Drivers should also alert their local government to dangerous potholes, so they can be fixed as soon as possible with a permanent solution, not the quick fix gravel that has been laid down to fill the hole.
“As soon as the current frigid temperatures give way to warmer weather, our roads have become eroded with potholes damaging our cars and even causing crashes,” said Jaclyn
Darrohn, Allstate New York Spokesperson. “A properly inflated tire is your best defense against potholes. With a little caution and proper vehicle maintenance, drivers can keep their cars in good condition this pothole season.”
Whether it’s a pothole or another issue that leaves you stranded, Allstate can help drivers at their time of need. To learn more about roadside assistance options, visit www.allstate.com.
