UK drivers warned over potholes as majority of damage claims refused by councils

A new warning has been issued to UK drivers over the dangers of potholes as it emerged that the majority of compensation claims are refused. The current spell of cold, wet weather is expected to make the roads much worse, as tarmac is cracked open by ice and frost, but chances of a payout for a damaged vehicle are low despite a surge in claims.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £500 million of funding in the Autumn Budget to help "fix one an additional one million potholes each year." However, a new report from the RAC found that claims made to councils over pothole damage have more than doubled in a year.

There were 20,432 compensation claims submitted to 18 local authorities with the largest road networks in 2023, compared with 8,327 in 2022. Just 15 per cent of claims resulted in payouts, with councils refusing seven out of 10 claims because they weren't aware the pothole existed, which is a permitted reason under the Highways Act.

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These payouts totalled around £824,000, with an average of £260 per claim - a figure the RAC says is often "well below the cost to fix a pothole-damaged car, for anything more serious than a punctured tyre." Motoring experts have stepped in to advise people on what to do when faced with a pothole on their journey.

Dave Sweeney, Senior Operations Manager at insurance broker The Taxi Insurer, said: "The UK's wet and cold climate can make roads more susceptible to potholes, which is why we see them form more in the colder months. This is because rainwater seeps into cracks in the road and expands when frozen, creating potholes."

With an estimated £16.3 billion needed to fix the backlog of pothole repairs across England and Wales, Mr Sweeney said that although Labour's £500 million pledge is a welcome move to tackle the issue, "preventative measures such as surface dressing and resurfacing roads would better help to ensure we can get a hold on our pothole problem once and for all."

He says potholes can potentially damage tyres, wheels, suspensions and exhausts or cause steering problems. Drivers can expect to pay up to £460 in pothole repairs if they hit one or be fined up to £2,500 if found guilty of reckless driving for suddenly swerving to avoid a pothole.

While veering around a pothole may seem the safest option, this can cause further damage and put drivers and passengers at risk. Mr Sweeney said: "Keeping a firm grip on the wheel and driving slowly and directly over the pothole, releasing the brake before hitting it, will minimise the damage caused. In the worst-case scenario of hitting a pothole, it's always advisable to check for damage immediately afterwards and take the car to a garage if there is significant damage. Drivers can also report the pothole to their local council.

"Drivers can also seek compensation for significant pothole-related accidents by filing a claim with their local council or going through insurance. To claim, a pothole must be 40mm or deeper but drivers who do claim may lose any no-claims discount or be required to pay an excess.

"Potholes are a continuing problem on many of our roads and are likely to deteriorate as we progress into the colder months. We're encouraging all motorists to practise safer driving on our roads this winter, especially when carrying passengers."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "For too long, this country has suffered from a pothole plague, which is why this Government is taking action by investing a further £500 million for 2025/26. For next year, this goes beyond our manifesto commitment to support local leaders to fix up to a million more potholes.

"We want to achieve this in the most cost-efficient way for the taxpayer by providing local authorities with multi-year funding settlements, enabling them to better maintain their roads and avoid potholes in the first place."

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