If a pothole on the road has damaged your car, did you know you can actually file a claim for pothole damage? Hitting a pothole, even at low speeds, can damage your car’s wheels, tyres, suspension, or steering alignment. Depending on the type of road and where the pothole is located, Highways England or the local council could be responsible for fixing potholes.
Find out in our latest blog how to claim pothole damage for your vehicle.
What is a pothole?
A pothole is where a road’s surface has worn away and a hollow has formed. Potholes can range in size and they are commonly found in the UK due to the adverse weather. A pothole forms by water seeping through the cracks of a road. The water freezes and then the sun dries it up and this creates a hole under the road. When vehicles constantly drive over this part of the road, the road eventually collapses, revealing the pothole.
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Before you claim for pothole damage:
Before you start a claim for pothole damage, you’ll need some key pieces of information about the situation.
- The road where the damage occurred.
- The date and time it happened.
- Witnesses (if there were any).
- Repair costs and mechanics report.
- Photos of the pothole (showing size, depth and area).
- Photos of the damage to your vehicle.
PLEASE NOTE: If the pothole/damage occurred on a motorway, do not try to access the road to photograph the pothole. Trespassing on a motorway is illegal and very dangerous.
Who to complain to:
Depending on where the incident happened and what kind of compensation you want for pothole damage, there are multiple ways to make a claim.
1. Your car insurance provider.
You should tell your car insurance provider about pothole damage as soon as it occurs. If you have fully comprehensive insurance, you could be covered for the repair costs. Making a claim on your insurance for pothole damage can affect your no-claims bonus and you’ll also need to cover the excess too. In some cases, it can be more cost effective to make a claim with the local authority instead of through your insurance.
2. The local authority.
Most pothole claims will be handled by the local council. If you’re unsure who the local authority is, use the Find your local council page on the Government website. Once you’ve found the local council for the location of the pothole, contact them to make them aware of the incident and the damage to your vehicle.
3. National Highways.
National Highways are responsible for maintaining potholes on UK motorways. If you’ve suffered pothole damage on a major A-road or motorway in England, you should contact National Highways and report an issue through their online form or by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.
To make a claim about a pothole on a major road in Wales, contact Traffic Wales.
For pothole damage on ‘Red Routes’ (major roads with no stopping restrictions) in London, make a claim by contacting Transport For London.
How to claim for pothole damage:
1. Check for damage and collect evidence.
If you’ve hit a pothole and suspect something is wrong with your vehicle, you should pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Check your vehicle over for any signs of damage and take photos of any clear damage. Take some notes whilst it’s fresh in your mind, and if possible, take a photo of the pothole. If it’s not currently safe to do so, e.g. on a busy main road, return to the area at a better time. Note down things like exact location, time and date, and contact details for any witnesses.
2. Report a Pothole.
Even if you don’t want to make a claim for pothole damage, you should always report a pothole. Local councils and National Highways have a responsibility to repair potholes once they are reported.
3. Repair your car.
In order to get compensation for the damage to your car, you’ll need to first have it fixed. Have a local, reliable garage or mechanic fix your car and make sure you get a receipt for the work and a mechanical report on the repairs that were needed.
4 . Make a claim.
Once you’ve collected all your evidence and had your vehicle repaired, it’s time to make a claim! You can do this by either reporting it to the local council, National Highways or Transport for London, depending on the location of the pothole. Some pothole damage cases can take months to complete but payouts can be possible. If your claim gets rejected and you feel it is unfair, you can appeal it.
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