City spent $29,689 for cars damaged due to potholes

Since January 1, 2017 drivers in San Diego have submitted more than 520 claims to the city's Risk Management Department seeking compensation for damage done to their car as a result of running over potholes.

City records provided to the Reader show that during January 1 through April 5, the city paid $29,689 to resolve a total of 59 claims. Payout amounts ranged from $36.25 to $2,342.43 in damages. The vast majority of the payments were made for claims submitted in January, meaning the payments will likely continue.

In February of this year, wet winter storms wreaked havoc on already deteriorated city streets. During one particularly wet week in mid-January the city received 1300 pothole-related complaints.

Requests for street repairs have increased to well over 7000 since the start of the new year.

During that time, claims representatives for the city have been busy investigating the 500-plus repair requests submitted to the Risk Management Department.

According to a city spokesperson city representatives investigate all claims and evaluate each one "on it's merits."

Added the spokesperson, "Payment of claims follow when there is confirmed city liability in accordance with the California Government Code."