Hit a Pothole in West Virginia and Got a Flat Tire? Here’s What to Do Next
- Ashley Insurance
- Mar 6
- 5 min read
If you drive long enough in West Virginia, especially this time of year after the snow and ice have melted--but before spring paving begins, it’s likely to happen.
You’re driving along, minding your own business on the beautiful country roads, and suddenly…
BOOM.
Your car slams into a pothole. The steering wheel jerks. Maybe you hear that awful thump of metal on asphalt. A few seconds later, you realize something isn’t right — the tire pressure light comes on or you hear the unmistakable sound of a flat tire.
Your first thought is probably:
“Well… now what?”
If this happens to you, take a breath. Hitting a pothole hard enough to damage your vehicle is frustrating, inconvenient, and sometimes expensive. While we can’t fix the roads, our goal at Ashley Insurance is to help make situations like this as simple and stress-free as possible.
Here’s what to do next.
Step 1: Get to a Safe Location
Safety always comes first.
If you suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged:
Slow down gradually
Turn on your hazard lights
Pull off the roadway as safely as possible
If you’re on a highway or busy road, try to reach the shoulder, a parking lot, or a side street before stopping.
Once you’re safely parked, check the damage. Potholes commonly cause:
Flat tires
Bent wheels or rims
Alignment issues
Suspension damage
Sometimes the damage isn’t immediately obvious, so if you must drive, do so slowly and cautiously.
Step 2: Use Roadside Assistance (If You Have It)
If your auto policy includes roadside service or towing coverage, this is exactly the type of situation it’s designed for.
Many insurance companies now make it easy to request help directly through their mobile apps.
For example, customers insured with Erie Insurance can request roadside service through the Erie mobile app, which can dispatch help for things like:
Changing a flat tire
Towing your vehicle
Jump-starting a dead battery
Lockout assistance
Other insurance carriers offer similar services through their apps.
If you’re not sure whether your policy includes roadside assistance, this situation is often when people realize how helpful it can be.
Step 3: Document the Pothole and the Damage
If it’s safe to do so, take a few minutes to document what happened. This could be important later.
Take photos of:
The pothole
Your vehicle damage
The surrounding road area
Nearby road signs or landmarks
Also write down:
The date and time
The road name or route number
The nearest intersection or landmark
If you later decide to seek reimbursement from the state, having this information will make your claim much stronger.
Step 4: Your Insurance May Cover the Damage
Damage caused by hitting a pothole is typically covered under the collision coverage portion of an auto insurance policy.
If you have collision coverage, your insurance company may pay for repairs minus your deductible.
Many people choose this route because it’s often the fastest way to get the vehicle repaired and back on the road.
Step 5: You May Be Able to File a Claim with the State of West Virginia
Many West Virginians don’t realize this, but you may be able to seek reimbursement from the state if a pothole damages your vehicle.
Claims related to road maintenance are handled by the West Virginia Legislative Claims Commission, which reviews cases involving state agencies such as the Division of Highways.
To file a claim, you’ll typically need:
Date and time of the incident
Exact location of the pothole
Photos of the pothole and vehicle damage
Repair estimates or receipts
A copy of your insurance declarations page
You can learn more about the process here:
WV Legislative Claims Commission – Filing a Claim
It’s important to know that reimbursement is not guaranteed. Generally, the claimant must show that:
The pothole was on a state-maintained road, and
The state knew or should have known about the road hazard but did not repair it.
Claims are reviewed through a formal process and may take several months to resolve. Filing a claim does not guarantee an award, and claims are evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to state law and available evidence.
What If Insurance Pays and You Also File a State Claim?
This is a common question.
If your insurance policy covers the repair under collision coverage, your insurer will typically pay for the damage minus your deductible.
If you then file a claim with the state, reimbursement is generally limited to your deductible amount, not the full repair bill.
Insurance companies themselves typically cannot pursue reimbursement through the Legislative Claims Commission, so the claim must come from the vehicle owner.
Step 6: Consider Reporting the Pothole
Even if you don’t file a claim, reporting the pothole can help prevent someone else from dealing with the same problem.
The West Virginia Division of Highways allows residents to submit road repair requests online:
Providing the location and details helps road crews identify and prioritize repairs.
The Real Lesson: Make Sure Your Policy Is Built the Right Way
Hitting a pothole is never a great day.
But having the right insurance coverage can make situations like this much easier to handle.
Many drivers only discover after something like this happens that their policy is missing helpful protections such as:
Roadside assistance
Towing coverage
Rental reimbursement
Adequate collision coverage
At Ashley Insurance, we design policies intentionally so that when something unexpected happens, you’re not left figuring it out on your own.
If you’d like help reviewing your coverage or making sure your policy is built the right way, our team would be happy to help.
👉 Visit us online at AshleyInsures.com to request a quote or coverage review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can insurance cover pothole damage?
Yes. Damage caused by hitting a pothole is typically covered under the collision coverage portion of an auto insurance policy.
Can you file a claim against the state for pothole damage in West Virginia?
Yes. Drivers may file a claim with the West Virginia Legislative Claims Commission if the pothole was on a state-maintained road and caused damage.
Will the state reimburse the entire repair bill?
If you have insurance coverage, reimbursement is typically limited to your deductible amount rather than the full repair cost.
Insurance Information Disclaimer:
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as insurance advice. Coverage, limits, and exclusions vary by policy and carrier. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as a guarantee that any particular coverage applies to your policy. In the event of any conflict, the terms of your insurance policy contract will prevail.
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