We checked the product disclosure statement (PDS) for 10 different comprehensive car insurance policies, none cover pothole damage to tyres. Our research looked specifically at pothole damage and tyre damage. In all cases, tyre damage was listed as an exclusion. In some cases, pothole damage to other parts of the car (excluding tyres) could be covered under loss or damage.
Keep in mind, given that no one else can be held accountable for the damage, it's likely that you'd have to pay an excess if the insurer did decide to approve your claim.
Will car insurance cover pothole damage?
Our insurance experts went through the product disclosure statement for 10 different providers and looked at how each insurer treats damage as the result of a pothole. Our findings are summarised below.
Provider
Is pothole damage covered?
Budget Direct
Tyre damage as the result of a pothole will not be covered, however more extensive damage to the car may be eligible for cover under loss or damage.
Youi
Tyre damage is not covered.
Rollin
Tyre damage is not covered.
Qantas
Tyre damage is not covered.
Bingle
Tyre damage is not covered.
Australia Post
Tyre damage is not covered unless it's caused by an incident which they've agreed to cover.
QBE
Tyre damage is not covered unless it's caused by an incident which they've agreed to cover.
Kogan
Tyre damage is not covered unless it's caused by an incident which they've agreed to cover.
AAMI
Tyre damage is not covered.
NRMA
Tyre damage as the result of a pothole will not be covered, however more extensive damage to the car may be eligible for cover under loss or damage.
This research is accurate as of December 2023. Our sources include product disclosure statements, information on provider website pages and online chats used on provider websites.
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Peta Taylor is an associate publisher at Finder, specialising in car insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for car insurance for over a year. Peta has a Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies with a Major in Marketing from the University of Wollongong and a Cert IV in Media Journalism. Peta is part of Finder's car insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring drivers the best in car insurance products every year.
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