Who pays for your pothole pain?

There's that split second of dread when you realize that it's -- WHUMP-WHUMP -- too late to avoid a pothole. You cringe, the moment is gone, and you hope that's the end of it.

If you're lucky, your vehicle won't exhibit any telltale signs of winter's road acne.

Newer cars are generally built well enough to withstand such abuse, said Andy Jenkins at Hoover Wheel Alignment in Minneapolis. Maybe you'll need a front-end alignment, which will set you back $40 to $60, and should be done annually anyway, he said.

But what if, post-pothole, your vehicle develops a squeak, rattle or worse -- a wobbly steering wheel or flat tire and bent rim? Is there anything you can do except pay for it out of your pocket?

Yes, but unless the damage is fairly expensive you may not want to bother.

Damage to your vehicle due to impact with a pothole might be covered by your auto insurance, said Eric Rongstad of R.I.G. Metro Insurance in Golden Valley. The physical damage falls under "collision," so the damage would have to exceed a person's deductible, which is usually $500 or $1,000.

Even though the collision isn't with another vehicle, a damage-causing impact with a pothole is considered an "at fault" accident. That could cause insurance rates to increase, depending on your loss history and the insurance company, said Stuart Johnson, a claims adjuster with Auto Owners Insurance in White Bear Lake.

Chances are that most suspension repairs caused by a pothole, including tie rods and ball joints, will not cost much more than your deductible. A new control arm on a late 1970s Mercedes might run $2,500, but there's no guarantee that an insurance company would pay for it if it was an issue of neglected maintenance, Johnson said.

Rongstad couldn't recall anyone ever making a claim due to a pothole.

"Technically they can, but it might not save them much money after the deductible and a potential of a premium increase," he said.

In addition to your auto insurance company, you can make a claim against the city where the pothole nailed your vehicle. In Minneapolis, for example, go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/claims to print out a claim form, or call 612-673-2969 to have one mailed to you.

If you've hit more than your share of potholes this winter but have not noticed any effects, it's still a good idea to have your mechanic check your wheels and suspension for safety reasons. Noises are one thing, Jenkins said, but it's more important to know that the suspension is safe and secure when a pothole can't be avoided.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/dealspotter.