Motorists have become accustomed to the rigours of replacing tyres due to potholes but there is a way to circumvent the cost of new tyres.
Not only are your tyres being damaged, but your vehicle’s rims can too, which lead to a whole host of other problems.
Les McMaster, chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says rim damage can often lead to other problems like vehicle alignment and suspension problems.
Craig Courtney-Leaver, CEO of alloy rim repair specialists, Wheel Collision, said, “If one feels a vibration in the steering wheel, the chances are one of the front rims are damaged and if one feels the vibration on the seat, then it is usually a rear rim.”
A local resident, Louisa van Wyk from Weltevreden Park recounted her story.
“At around 10pm, my husband and I drove back home on J G Strydom … when we hit a pothole.”
The couple took the safe option and slowly drove to the nearest petrol station.
“Not even five minutes later another couple who went through the same hole, pulled in. In the 30 minutes we were at the garage, four cars came in with totally torn tyres,” added Van Wyk.
The next morning on their return, petrol attendants informed them that a further seven vehicles had stopped due to the very same pothole.
The pothole has since been fixed but was an inconvenience for at least a week.
So, what happens when you have replaced a burst or damaged tyre?
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “The public may lodge a claim with the JRA’s Legal Department for alleged damages suffered due to road and/or infrastructure (such as manhole or kerb inlet) that the JRA as a municipal-owned entity of the City of Johannesburg is mandated to maintain.”
There are a couple of procedures that have to be followed in order to claim.
In addition to completing the claim form, attach the following documents:
- Police affidavit
- Copy of driver’s license of the claimant (in case of vehicle damage)
- Vehicle registration documents (in case of vehicle damage)
- Copy of ID
- Photos of the damage to the car (in case of vehicle damage)
- Three quotations or invoice/proof of payment
- Letter from insurance company confirming that the claim was not logged to own insurance
- Doctor’s report if there is personal injury
JRA recommends that you either email or fax the documents. Doing both only delays the process.
Peters-Scheepers added, “It is important [for readers to be aware] that the claims process does take time as we work with both our insurance brokers and insurers in the processing of claims.”
Each claim is assessed on its merits and in accordance with our public liability policy which means not all claims will be successfully paid out.
Details: JRA, hotline@jra.org.za or 086 056 2874.
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