Potholes remain a significant issue on UK roads, with the AA handling 631,852 pothole-related incidents in 2023 and estimating vehicle damage costs at £474 million last year. The RAC also reported a record number of breakdowns due to potholes, while 96% of drivers rated them the most important transport issue in a recent AA poll.
A survey for Kwik Fit found that 70% of drivers hit at least one pothole per week over the past year, with 25% hitting one daily. Potholes can cause serious damage to vehicles and, in severe cases, lead to loss of control and accidents.
If your car is damaged by a pothole, you may be able to claim compensation. First, note the location, time, and date, and take a photo with an object for scale. Get a mechanic's report and repair quote. Determine responsibility: National Highways for motorways and A roads in England, or the local council for other roads. Use the postcode checker for local roads.
Claims success often depends on whether the pothole was previously reported, but you can still succeed if you prove poor road maintenance. If your claim is accepted but the offer is too low, you can reject it. If rejected, you can appeal, though this may require proving inadequate inspection and repair schedules. Legal action through courts is possible but time-consuming.
Alternatively, if you have comprehensive insurance, you can claim for pothole damage, but you'll pay the excess and may lose your no-claims bonus, so weigh the costs carefully.
