How to claim for pothole damage
19/07/2024
Hitting potholes isn’t fun – they can cause significant damage to your car and even result in a traffic accident. Damage from potholes has become an increasing issue for millions of motorists in recent years. Nearly half of UK motorists claim potholes to be their biggest concern on the road and with an estimated one million potholes currently on UK roads – knowing how to claim for potential pothole damage is crucial.
What are potholes?
Potholes are holes or depressions in the road caused by groundwater and constant use by traffic. Potholes can be dangerous for road users as well as harmful to the economy. Potholes are estimated to contribute significantly to the number of breakdown claims in the UK. According to the RAC – nearly 8000 breakdowns were attributed to pothole damage for the first quarter of 2024 alone.
Pothole Survey & Statistics
We’ve compiled pothole data from across England to provide a unique insight into pothole numbers and public attitudes toward the problem. Get the data obtained from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and our own Quotezone survey data.
Can I claim for pothole damage?
If your car needs repairs to fix any damage after hitting a pothole – you’ll likely want to look for compensation from the relevant council or road authority. Claiming for pothole damage can be done through the following organisations:
- The council responsible for upkeeping the road
- The appropriate road authority
- Your car insurance provider
When it comes to making a claim for pothole damage compensation – be aware that you’ll need to meet certain criteria. Generally you will need to be able to prove that the damage done to your car was caused by the pothole and that the local road authority is liable. Potholes will typically need to be a minimum of 40mm in depth to count as a road defect.
Does car insurance cover pothole damage?
You can claim for pothole damage through your car insurance if you are unable to claim through your local council or the authority responsible for managing the road. You will still need to go through the regular claims process and provide evidence to prove the pothole caused damage to your car.
How to make a claim for pothole damage
There are two main ways to make a claim for pothole damage to your car – through your local council which manages the roads or through your car insurance provider. You must choose to pursue one or other as you cannot legally be reimbursed by both for the same damage. If the damage costs to your car are not much more than your total excess, it may be better to try and claim from your local council. Your no claims discount will also be impacted if you make a claim through your car insurance.
Local council
You can contact your local council and give them details of the incident such as the location of the pothole, it’s size, and the damage caused to your car. The council will likely require you to complete a damage report form along with receipts or repair quotes for the damage.
Your insurance provider
If you are unable to recover the costs through your local council, you can turn to your insurance provider. You’ll need to submit a claim and go through the full car insurance claims process in order to get compensation. You will need to collect evidence of the pothole and it’s location and size.
How do potholes form?
Potholes form as a result of road deterioration due to exposure to the elements, continued use by traffic, and poor maintenance. This deterioration can cause cracks and other weak points to form, leading to damage and the formation of potholes – the largest being recorded at 41 feet in length. When roads are properly maintained – potholes are less likely to form. Here are several causes for the formation of potholes in the UK.
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- Wear and tear – continued friction from moving motor vehicles and exposure to the weather will start to degrade the quality of a road over time. If the road is not properly maintained then over time this wear and tear can lead to cracking and wearing, which eventually results in potholes.
- Extreme weather – freezing conditions can cause water in road cracks to expand and weaken the road over time. Very hot conditions can make asphalt more pliable and also weaken the road. These extremes increase the chances of potholes forming if a road is not properly maintained.
- Heavy traffic – constant use by motor vehicles can contribute to road weakening and wearing over time. There are more motorists in the UK today than in the past, this has increased the wear and tear of many UK roads.
Poor road upkeep and lack of maintenance can lead to the formation of potholes. According to the RAC there are over 1 million potholes in the UK despite around 3 potholes being repaired every minute.
Why are there so many potholes in the UK?
The increasing number of motorists on UK roads has contributed to the increased wear and tear of many roads. Major urban areas such as London, Birmingham and Manchester are more likely to experience greater numbers of potholes and disruption from the resulting repair works. Regions which experience more extreme weather conditions over the year are also more likely to have potholes. Regions with more cold and wet climates accelerate the formation of potholes. Whilst these regions may have less traffic than urban areas, they are also less likely to receive frequent repairs and maintenance.
What has the government done about potholes
Each year, the government has allocated funding for potholes and road maintenance. The amount of funding for fixing potholes is typically announced in the spring or autumn budget by the chancellor. As of March 2024, the government confirmed £8.3 billion in local road repairs and maintenance across the country according to their spring budget announcement. According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the total cost of fixing the UK’s pothole crisis is estimated at around £16 billion.
What region has the most potholes?
Our data shows the regions across England that have been most impacted by the pothole crisis. Data across the responding English councils shows a 40% increase in pothole numbers between 2021 – 2022 and 2022 – 2023.
| Council area | 2021 – 2022 | 2022 – 2023 | % Increase |
| Suffolk | 5,444 | 15,242 | 180% |
| Gloucestershire | 6,845 | 13,554 | 98% |
| Kent | 13,392 | 25,668 | 92% |
| West Sussex | 13,404 | 24,237 | 81% |
| Nottinghamshire | 9,254 | 15,383 | 66% |
| Worcestershire | 3,277 | 4,664 | 42% |
| Warwickshire | 2,560 | 3,477 | 36% |
| Essex County | 12,435 | 16,121 | 30% |
| Devon | 27,787 | 34,034 | 22% |
| Leicestershire | 3,338 | 3,976 | 19% |
| Norfolk | 4,402 | 5,123 | 16% |
| Surrey | 44,804 | 49,813 | 11% |
| Oxfordshire | 24,254 | 26,575 | 10% |
| Lancashire | 66,897 | 72,676 | 9% |
| Derbyshire | 71,135 | 72,377 | 2% |
| Lincolnshire | 12,517 | 12,357 | -1.30% |
| Staffordshire | 23,058 | 16,156 | -30% |
| AVERAGE: | 20,537 | 24,300 | 40% |
Pothole numbers in other UK regions
Increases in the number of potholes have also occurred in other parts of the UK with an estimated 110,023 potholes recorded in Northern Ireland during 2023 – a 9% increase. Scotland also has an estimated 450,000 reported potholes since 2018 according to the Herald. Data from the RAC also showed that there were an estimated 6 potholes per mile of road within Wales.
What does the public have to say about potholes?
| Do you think your local area is getting worse for potholes? | |
| Yes | 92% |
| No | 8% |
| Not applicable | 1% |
| Did you / they claim on the car insurance to have it fixed or pay for it out of pocket? | |
| Paid to have the damage fixed | 83% |
| Not applicable | 11% |
| Claimed on the car insurance | 6% |
| How long would you estimate it takes to fix potholes in your area? | |
| Some have never been fixed | 29% |
| 6 months + | 15% |
| 3 – 6 months | 13% |
| Over a year | 12% |
| 4-6 weeks | 7% |
| 6-8 weeks | 7% |
| 2-4 weeks | 6% |
| 1-2 weeks | 5% |
| Under a week | 3% |
| Not applicable | 2% |
| Do you think potholes are fixed quickly enough? | |
| No | 96% |
| Yes | 3% |
| Not applicable | 1% |
| Do you ever report potholes, either to the local authorities or on your car navigation app? | |
| No | 59% |
| Yes – to the local authorities | 37% |
| Yes – on my car navigation app | 3% |
| Not applicable | 1% |
| What do you think needs done to fix the current pothole problem? | |
| More money invested in our roads | 30% |
| Better quality materials to fix repairs | 26% |
| A clearer reporting tool so the public can raise awareness of problem areas | 16% |
| More staff employed to help and monitor the situation | 12% |
| Specialist insurance for pothole only damage | 5% |
| More guidance on how to handle potholes when behind the wheel | 5% |
| Diversions put in place to avoid hazardous areas | 4% |
| Not applicable / other | 1% |
Why are potholes dangerous?
Potholes can be large and cause significant problems for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Damage to tyres, suspension and steering systems as a result of pothole damage can all increase the risk of traffic accidents. Cyclists and pedestrians are also at risk of injury from potholes. Cycling UK reported that they have delt with at least 255 cases involving death or serious injury in the last seven years. Not only are potholes a public health hazard but they also negatively impact the economy. The Centre for Economics and Business Research has estimated the cost of the UK’s potholes to be at £14 billion. There is also the cost of breakdown claims, vehicle damage and pothole related injuries to consider. It is estimated that local authorities in England alone have spent £22.7 million in compensation for pothole damage to motorists.
Typical damages caused by potholes include:- Tyre damage
- Exhaust damage
- Fluid leaks
- Suspension damage
- Steering damage
What to consider when making a pothole claim
Pothole claims can sometimes be complicated and not as straightforward as some motorists may expect. If you were found to be acting in a negligent way when you struck the pothole such as speeding – your claim will likely be rejected. If your car tyres and steering system were in poor condition before the accident then this will also complicate any pothole claim. The best way to increase the chances of a successful claim is to gather as much evidence of the incident as possible. Collect photos of the scene, the pothole, the damage to your vehicle and any witness statements along with their contact details.
What to do if the council rejects your pothole claim
Having your claim for pothole damage rejected by the relevant council is not the end of the road. You can still appeal their decision and negotiate. Typically, councils will reject your pothole damage claim for the following:
- They claim that the pothole was not the cause of the damage
- They claim the pothole was repaired
- The council claims they did not locate the described pothole
- There is insufficient evidence to support your claim
What to do if you hit a pothole
If you strike a pothole then there are a few things you should do as soon as possible.
Check your car for damage
If you’ve struck a pothole then you should check for any damages. If you notice something off about your cars steering or handling – find a safe place to pull over and call for roadside assistance.
Collect evidence
If you need to make a claims as a result of pothole damage, be sure to record the exact location of the pothole, as well as a picture of the damage and the pothole at the time of the accident.
Report the pothole online
You can use the government’s report a pothole page to help speed up the repair of the UK’s potholes.
Seek compensation
If your car is damaged by a pothole – you can contact the council responsible for maintaining the road. You should include details of the potholes location, the date and time of the incident and any receipts for repairs. You may be able to make a claim for the cost of damages if you can prove council negligence regarding the formation of potholes.
How to report a pothole
You can use the government’s official report a pothole page to report any pothole’s that may pose a danger to motorists.
Record the pothole’s location and its size
Go online to find the relevant road authority or council for the area
Report the pothole
Call your council helpline if the pothole poses an immediate danger
How to prevent pothole damage
It can be difficult to avoid potholes on the road, particularly in difficult weather conditions. There are still a few steps you can take to reduce the chances of pothole damage to your car.
Drive defensively
Leave healthy following distance between yourself and others motorists in case you need to stop quickly for a pothole. Be sure to monitor your speed to reduce the chance of striking a pothole. It can be easy to not spot a potholes, so be sure to keep scanning the road ahead of you.
Check your tyres regularly
Checking tyre pressure and for any defects before you start driving can decrease the amount of damage if you hit a pothole.
Always monitor your speed
The faster you drive, the greater the chance of you hitting a pothole. Watch your speed to avoid major damages to your car if you strike a pothole.
References
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/16/britain-biggest-pothole-double-decker-bus-wiltshire/
https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release/britains-pothole-crisis-costs-lives-says-cycling-uk
https://www.cyclinguk.org/campaign/fill-hole
https://www.compareni.com/press/over-110000-potholes-recorded-on-ni-roads-in-2023
https://media.rac.co.uk/pressreleases/rac-pothole-related-breakdowns-spring-forward-by-50-percent-in-2024-3318244#:~:text=The%20RAC%20attended%20nearly%208%2C000,as%20roads%20continue%20to%20crumble.