Plymouth Rock Assurance Claim Data Reveals Increased Number of Car Insurance Claims due to Damage Caused by Potholes during 2013-2014 Winter; Company Offers Tips to Avoid Pothole Damage
Red Bank, NJ - (June 17, 2014) – New Jersey car insurance group Plymouth Rock Assurance is reporting a sharp increase in the number of pothole related claims received over the last year. From the winter of 2012-2013 to the winter of 2013-2014, Plymouth Rock’s ratio of pothole-related claims relative to all collision claims increased by 62 percent.
In terms of volume, the number of claims received as a result of pothole damage increased by 72 percent. Plymouth Rock’s Claims Team attributes the spike to the frequency and severity of snow and icy conditions in New Jersey this past winter.
“If you’ve experienced the unsettling shock of driving over a pothole in New Jersey following our unusually active snow season, you’re certainly not alone,” said Richard Adam, Chief Claims Officer at Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. “Irregular temperatures and relentless plowing have caused the highest number of potholes we’ve seen in years.”
Plymouth Rock encourages New Jersey drivers to follow these tips to avoid blowouts and other pothole damage:
“Although sometimes inescapable, potholes can be avoided in many cases with proper precaution and awareness behind the wheel,” added Adam. “It’s important to be vigilant even on familiar roadways, where potholes can form quickly.”
Drivers whose cars have been damaged as a result of a pothole on a state road may be eligible to file a pothole damage claim with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. Applicants have 90 days following the accident to seek reimbursement. The claim form can be downloaded here. Questions can be directed to the Treasury Department at 609-292-4347.
About Plymouth Rock Assurance
Plymouth Rock Assurance is a marketing name used by a group of separate companies that write and manage property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Insurance in New Jersey is offered by Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey on behalf of Palisades Insurance Company, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and their affiliates. Each company is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each company.