UK Pothole Insurance Claims

Hit a UK Pothole Dont Get Stung Twice. Your Essential Guide to Motor Insurance Claims for Vehicle Damage and Protecting Your No Claims Bonus

The jarring thud of hitting an unexpected pothole is an all-too-common sound on Britain's roads. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised motor insurance expert that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, we understand the frustration that follows. This guide explains how to handle a pothole incident, from assessing the damage to navigating the complex world of insurance claims in the UK, ensuring you aren't left out of pocket.

The state of our roads means that damage from potholes is not a matter of 'if' but 'when' for many drivers. According to the RAC, their patrols attended over 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns in 2023 alone, the highest number since 2018. Understanding your rights and your motor policy is the first step to mitigating the financial sting.

The Pothole Problem: A Crisis on UK Roads

Britain's roads are crumbling. Decades of underinvestment, combined with harsher weather cycles of freezing and flooding, have created a perfect storm for road surface deterioration. The result is a national pothole epidemic that costs drivers millions of pounds in repairs every year.

Key Statistics for 2025:

• Compensation Payouts: Local authorities in England and Wales paid out over £15 million in compensation for pothole damage in the 2023/24 financial year, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).
• Repair Backlog: The AIA's annual 'ALARM' survey estimates it would take over 10 years and cost more than £16 billion to clear the backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales.
• Driver Experience: An AA survey found that 88% of drivers believe roads are in a worse state now than ten years ago, with pothole damage being a primary concern.

This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a significant safety and financial issue for private car owners, motorcycle riders, van drivers, and fleet managers alike. The damage can range from a simple tyre puncture to catastrophic suspension failure, leading to costly repairs and potential accidents.

First Steps: What to Do Immediately After Hitting a Pothole

Your actions in the minutes after hitting a severe pothole can significantly impact your safety and the success of any subsequent claim.

1. Prioritise Safety: First and foremost, check for any immediate change in your vehicle's handling. If you feel a vibration, hear a new noise, or the steering pulls to one side, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Stop in a well-lit, safe location away from traffic. Engage your hazard warning lights.

2. Assess Your Vehicle: Once safe, conduct a visual inspection. Look for obvious damage to the tyres (bulges, cuts, deflation) and wheels (dents, cracks, scuffs). If possible, look underneath the car for any fluid leaks or hanging parts. Do not put yourself in danger by checking under the vehicle on a busy road.

3. Gather Evidence (If Safe): Evidence is crucial for any claim, whether against the council or your insurer. If you can do so without endangering yourself or others, use your smartphone to:

   • Photograph the Pothole: Take pictures from several angles. Include a familiar object like a shoe or a drink can for scale.
   • Photograph the Location: Take wider shots showing the pothole in the context of the road, including any nearby landmarks, road signs, or junctions. This helps pinpoint the exact location.
   • Photograph the Damage: Document any visible damage to your vehicle in detail.
   • Note the Details: Make a note of the exact time, date, road name, and weather conditions. If there were any witnesses, ask for their contact details.

4. Report the Pothole: Regardless of whether you intend to claim, report the pothole to the relevant authority (usually the local council or National Highways for motorways and major A-roads). This helps them fulfil their duty of care and can prevent other drivers from suffering the same fate. You can do this via the council's website or gov.uk.

Common Types of Pothole Damage

A single impact can cause a cascade of problems throughout your vehicle. Be aware of these common issues:

• Tyre Damage: This is the most frequent consequence. Look for sidewall bulges, tears, or a complete puncture. A bulge indicates internal structural failure, and the tyre must be replaced immediately.
• Wheel Damage: The force can crack, bend, or buckle your alloy or steel wheels. This can cause a slow air leak and affect the vehicle's balance. Refurbishment is sometimes possible, but a cracked alloy often requires complete replacement for safety.
• Suspension & Steering Damage: This is more serious and expensive. Signs include:
  • The vehicle pulling to one side.
  • Uneven tyre wear.
  • A bumpy or harsh ride.
  • Knocking or clunking sounds when driving over bumps.
  • Damage to components like shock absorbers, struts, ball joints, and track rods.
• Exhaust Damage: Low-slung exhaust systems can be struck and damaged, leading to leaks and rattling.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Specific Damage: EVs are particularly heavy due to their battery packs, which can exacerbate the impact force. The battery pack is often located in the vehicle's floor, making it vulnerable to severe impacts that could lead to extremely costly repairs.

If you suspect any damage beyond a simple tyre issue, it is vital to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic.

Making a Claim: Council or Insurer?

You have two potential routes for compensation: claiming directly from the responsible authority (e.g., the local council) or claiming on your comprehensive motor insurance policy. Each has significant pros and cons.

Option 1: Claiming from the Responsible Authority

Under the Highways Act 1980, highways authorities have a legal duty to maintain public roads. You can claim against them if you can prove they have been negligent in this duty.

The Process:

1. Identify the Responsible Body: For most local roads, this is the local council. For motorways and major A-roads in England, it is National Highways. In Scotland, it's Transport Scotland, and in Wales, it's the Welsh Government.
2. Submit a Formal Claim: You will need to write a formal letter or fill out a claim form, providing all the evidence you gathered at the scene. This includes photos, the exact location, date, time, and witness details.
3. Provide Proof of Loss: You will need to get quotes for the repair work or provide receipts if the work has already been completed.
4. Wait for a Response: The authority will investigate. Their defence often rests on Section 58 of the Highways Act, which states they are not liable if they can prove they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair in place and were not aware of that specific pothole before your incident.

Pros and Cons of Claiming from the Council

Option 2: Claiming on Your Motor Insurance

If you have a comprehensive motor insurance policy, you can claim for the damage. This is often a much faster and more straightforward process.

The Process:

1. Contact Your Insurer: Call your insurer's claims line as soon as possible.
2. Provide Details: Give them the information about the incident. They may or may not ask for the evidence you gathered.
3. Arrange Assessment/Repair: Your insurer will advise you on taking the vehicle to one of their approved repairers for an assessment and repair.
4. Pay Your Excess: You will be required to pay the policy excess towards the cost of the repair.
5. Claim is Settled: The insurer pays the remainder of the repair bill directly to the garage.

This route is only available to those with the correct level of cover.

Understanding Your Motor Insurance Policy in the UK

It is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom to have at least third-party motor insurance for any vehicle used on public roads. Understanding what your policy covers is essential before you need to make a claim.

Levels of Cover

• Third-Party Only (TPO): This is the minimum legal requirement. It covers injury or damage you cause to other people (the 'third party') or their property. It provides no cover whatsoever for damage to your own vehicle, including from potholes.
• Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT): This includes everything from TPO, plus cover if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire. It does not cover 'accidental damage', so pothole claims are not included.
• Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover. It includes everything from TPFT but also covers accidental damage to your own vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. This is the only level of standard car insurance that will cover pothole damage.

Business and Fleet Insurance

For businesses, the obligations are similar. A sole trader's van needs the same minimum cover as a private car. However, business use must be declared. For companies running multiple vehicles, fleet insurance is the most efficient solution. A comprehensive fleet policy will cover pothole damage to company vehicles, protecting the business from unexpected, large repair bills that could disrupt operations. At WeCovr, we specialise in finding the best car insurance provider for individuals and businesses, sourcing tailored fleet insurance policies that manage risk effectively.

The Financial Fallout of an Insurance Claim

Claiming on your policy is not a "free" repair. There are significant financial considerations, primarily your excess and your No Claims Bonus.

Your Policy Excess

The excess is the fixed amount you must contribute towards any claim. For example, if your excess is £300 and the repair bill is £1,000, you pay the first £300 and your insurer pays the remaining £700. The excess amount is chosen when you take out the policy; a higher excess usually means a lower premium, but you need to be sure you can afford it.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB)

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB), also known as a No Claims Discount (NCD), is a valuable discount applied to your premium for each year you go without making a claim. It can be worth up to 60-70% off your premium after five or more years.

• How a Pothole Claim Affects NCB: A pothole claim is considered an 'at-fault' claim by insurers. This is because there is no third party to recover the costs from. Making a claim will typically result in the loss of two years of your NCB. For example, if you have a five-year NCB, it would be reduced to three years at your next renewal.
• Protected No Claims Bonus (PNCB): This is an optional extra you can add to your policy. It allows you to make one or two 'at-fault' claims within a set period (usually 3-5 years) without your NCB level being reduced. However, be aware: while your discount percentage is protected, your overall premium can still increase at renewal because you have made a claim. Insurers will see you as a higher risk.

The table below illustrates the potential impact.

Impact of a Pothole Claim on NCB and Premium

Is It Worth Making an Insurance Claim?

This is the crucial question. You must weigh the cost of the repair against the cost of the claim.

Perform a simple cost-benefit analysis:

1. Get a Repair Quote: Find out the exact cost to fix the damage from a reputable garage.
2. Check Your Excess: Find the total excess on your policy (this can include a compulsory and a voluntary excess).
3. Estimate Premium Increase: This is harder to predict, but assume your premium will rise at renewal, even with a protected NCB. A rough estimate might be a 20-40% increase in the base premium (before the NCB discount is applied).

Decision Framework:

Optional Extras on Your Motor Policy That Can Help

When comparing motor insurance UK policies, certain add-ons provide extra peace of mind for incidents like pothole damage.

• Legal Expenses Cover: This can be invaluable if you decide to pursue a claim against the council. It can cover the legal costs of taking them to the small claims court if they reject your claim unfairly.
• Guaranteed Courtesy Car: Standard courtesy cars are often only provided if your vehicle is repairable and the work is done at an approved garage. A 'guaranteed' or 'enhanced' courtesy car add-on ensures you get a replacement vehicle even if yours is written off, keeping you mobile.
• Breakdown Cover: If a pothole leaves you stranded at the roadside, having a reliable breakdown service included with your policy is essential for a swift and safe recovery.

As an independent, FCA-authorised broker, WeCovr helps drivers compare not just the headline price but also the quality of cover and optional extras from a wide panel of the best car insurance providers. WeCovr customers often find that they can get a superior policy for a competitive price and may also be eligible for discounts on other products, such as life insurance, when purchasing a motor policy.

Prevention: Protecting Your Vehicle from Pothole Damage

While you can't control the state of the roads, you can take steps to minimise the risk and severity of pothole damage.

1. Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure: Over-inflated or under-inflated tyres are more susceptible to damage. Check your pressures weekly, using the figures printed inside your car's door jamb or fuel filler cap.
2. Drive Defensively:
   • Leave Space: Keep a good distance from the vehicle in front. This gives you more time to see and react to hazards like potholes.
   • Scan the Road: Actively look ahead, scanning the road surface for dark patches or standing water that might hide a pothole.
   • Slow Down: Reduce your speed on poorly maintained roads, especially at night or in wet weather when visibility is poor.
3. Avoid Sudden Swerving: While tempting, swerving violently to avoid a pothole can cause a more serious accident.
4. Brake Before, Not During: If you can't avoid a pothole, brake before you hit it and then release the brake just before impact. This allows the suspension to absorb the jolt more effectively, rather than being compressed and stiffened by braking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Will a pothole claim on my insurance affect my No Claims Bonus? Yes, a pothole claim is treated as an 'at-fault' claim because there is no third party from whom the insurer can recover costs. Making a claim will almost certainly lead to a reduction in your No Claims Bonus (NCB) unless you have purchased an optional 'Protected No Claims Bonus' add-on. Even with protection, your overall premium is still likely to rise at renewal.

2. Is it better to claim from the council or my insurer for pothole damage? This depends on the cost of the damage and your personal circumstances. Claiming from the council avoids impacting your insurance, but the process is slow and often unsuccessful. Claiming on your comprehensive insurance is faster and more certain, but you must pay an excess and will likely see your future premiums increase. For minor damage costing less than your excess plus the expected premium hike, paying for it yourself is often the wisest financial choice.

3. What evidence do I need to make a successful pothole claim against a council? To have the best chance of success when claiming against a council or highways authority, you need comprehensive evidence. This includes: clear, dated photos of the pothole (with an object for scale), photos of the damage to your vehicle, wider shots showing the pothole's location on the road, a precise note of the location, date, and time, and a full quote or invoice for the repair costs from a reputable garage.

4. Does my standard car insurance cover tyre damage from a pothole? Only a comprehensive motor insurance policy will cover damage to your own vehicle, including tyres, from a pothole. Third-Party Only and Third-Party, Fire & Theft policies will not cover this. However, even with a comprehensive policy, it is often not cost-effective to claim just for tyre damage, as the cost of a new tyre is frequently less than the policy excess.

Your Next Step

Potholes are an unfortunate reality of driving in the UK. Being prepared is your best defence against being stung twice—once by the road and once by the financial consequences. The right motor policy is your ultimate safety net. It should be comprehensive enough to cover accidental damage, flexible enough to include valuable add-ons, and sourced from a provider you can trust.

Let the experts at WeCovr help you navigate the market. As an FCA-authorised broker with high customer satisfaction ratings, we compare policies from a wide panel of insurers to find you the right cover at the right price, whether for your car, van, motorcycle, or entire business fleet.

Get your free, no-obligation motor insurance quote from WeCovr today and drive with confidence.