Motorists mending winter collisions transition to potholes

SASKATOON – Winter weather is a harsh and often expensive reality on the Prairies, even after spring has come.

Harsher still, is the feeling drivers get filling out that insurance claim and coughing up a deductable.

Vice president of Galon Insurance & Mortgage Brokers Jeff Galon says there are steps motorists can take to mitigate the financial impact of weather-related collisions.

Basic plate insurance has a $700 deductable and carries about $200,000 worth of coverage. Galon recommends opting for higher liability coverage.

“You can buy additional coverage, such as loss of use. So if you’re in an accident and your car is in the shop, you can get a rental vehicle,” he said. “That’s really important for people who depend on their cars.”

For around $200 a year, one can purchase a $2 million liability insurance package that carries a $500 deductible.

A Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) membership may be a worthwhile investment for some drivers, especially given the amount of advisories and closures seen this past winter.

Between January 1 and March 25, 2013, CAA Saskatchewan received 1,000 more calls for roadside assistance than they did during the same period last year.

CAA says wait times in 2013 are averaging between 60 and 90 minutes.

“Primarily, the calls were for being stuck in a snow bank or veering off the road and getting stuck in snow of some sort. Battery boosts as well,” said Christine Niemczyk, CAA Saskatchewan.

In the meantime, the city of Saskatoon has been preparing for pothole season which can also cost drivers thousands in repairs.

According to the city solicitor’s office, 140 pothole, sink hole and rut claims were filed in 2012. Only $8,628 was paid out to applicants.

So far this year, 21 pothole-related claims have been filed.

“If you hit a whole bunch of potholes and your car is just getting old, that’s not covered by insurance, but if you run into a pothole and your tire falls off, that is a covered loss,” said Galon.

All pothole patching equipment will be ready for use on Thursday.

Typically, hot mix asphalt is not available until mid to late April, so for now cold mix will be used on high priority streets and gravel on low priority.

Pothole units will follow sweepers during the annual residential spring street sweep.