- Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto was identified as the worst road in Ontario in 2019.
- If you file a claim for pothole damage to your vehicle it may be considered an at-fault collision.
- You can submit a claim to some municipalities for pothole damages to your vehicle.
Drivers, buckle up: CAA Insurance’s annual Worst Roads campaign is back after a one-year hiatus, and the insurer is seeking your input on where in Ontario you think the bumpiest, pothole-ridden stretch of asphalt is located.
When you consider potholes can potentially damage your vehicle, and in turn, put you in a spot to file a car insurance claim if you have collision or all-perils coverage, CAA’s campaign gives motorists the opportunity to highlight problem areas in their communities. The spotlight that’s put on these problem areas sometimes help spur municipalities and the provincial government into action to make infrastructure improvements.
"The campaign is a platform for all road users to highlight which roadway improvements should be prioritized by our different levels of government," says Raymond Chan, government relations manager, CAA South Central Ontario, in a press release. "The campaign gives decision-makers a snapshot of what roads the public perceives are not meeting their expectations."
In 2019 – the last time CAA ran its campaign – drivers helped the insurer identify the top 10 worst roads in the province. They were:
- Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto
- Riverdale Drive, Washago
- Dufferin Street, Toronto
- County Road 49, Prince Edward
- Barton Street East, Hamilton
- Burlington Street East, Hamilton
- Avondale Road, Belleville
- Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto
- Carnegie Beach Road, Scugog
- Bathurst Street, Toronto
Of note for Torontonians, the City of Toronto filled 78,300 potholes in 2020, and 46,310 potholes in 2021 to date.
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What to do if your vehicle is damaged by a pothole
If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole and requires repairs, and you have collision or all-perils coverage as part of your car insurance policy, you can file a claim with your provider. But think it over first, since the claim will require you pay a deductible first, and it may be considered an at-fault collision. At-fault collisions can increase the cost of your premium at renewal time.
You could also pay for the damages yourself, and depending on the repair, that may be the cheapest option.
Or you can submit a claim to the municipality within 10 days of where the incident occurred. In Barrie, Toronto, and the Niagara Region for example, you can submit a claim for pothole damages if you believe the minimum maintenance levels set out by the province haven’t been met.
Nominations for CAA's Worst Roads can be cast at caaworstroads.com until April 18. Participating drivers will be entered into a grand prize draw to win free gas for a year, or one of five secondary prizes, the insurer says.
