Pothole blues got you feeling the pinch – here’s how to claim

Driving along many North Coast roads see motorists swerving left to right as they do their best to dodge the many potholes which can cause damage to their tyres – or worse, becoming involved in an accident.

It is on record that many motorists have died or ended up in hospital with serious injuries over the years after someone dodged craters in the road.

When it comes to damage to your vehicle, many people are unaware that they can claim for pothole damage from the South African National Road Agency or even the local municipality.

But one must be be able to provide vital information when submitting a claim.

This includes the exact location where the damage occurred, a photo of the damage, a photo of the pothole and a wide shot of the road and to identify the surrounding area where the incident occurred.

While this does sound as easy as ordering your favourite cocktail, successfully claiming can prove quite difficult at the best of times.

Chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), Dewald Ranft, said motorists often face the added cost of damage to crucial car components such as tyres, rims, shocks and mags when they strike a pothole.

This is apart from the threat to the safety of the driver.

When you hit a pothole, most of the damage is done to the rim, which could lead to other problems such as alignment and suspension problems.

While you can’t always prevent this damage, it is good to know how to solve these problems.

“Rims can be expensive, especially given the current exchange rate. It’s not always essential to buy a new rim, as one could repair it with a reputable supplier,” Ranft said.

Consult your local manufacturer or accredited RMI fitment centre first to determine the damage and then ensure you are referred to a specialist rim repairer.

One should ensure the repairer is SABS-approved and, if possible, carries an approved ISO 9001 accreditation.

“Unfortunately, not many repairers have X-ray technology or can repair a damaged rim to a certain standard, so one needs to choose carefully.”

Useful tips to avoid roadside pitfalls

• Drive cautiously when roads are covered in water. If possible, drive around puddles as there may be potholes lurking beneath.
• Don’t slam on the brakes if you hit a pothole – this worsens the damage.
• Hold the steering wheel firmly when you hit a pothole to avoid losing control of the car.
• Ensure your headlights are clean and working when driving at night to better spot potholes.
• Don’t swerve when you hit a pothole, or when you spot one at the last second, as you could endanger other road users.
• If your tyre is deflated from hitting a pothole, the rim could be damaged.
• Vibration in the steering wheel could mean the front rims are damaged.

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