Car insurance and potholes

Key takeaways

• If your car is damaged by a pothole, you can claim expenses through your car insurance or against the responsible local council or road authority

• Before claiming through your insurance consider the financial impact, such as your insurance excess and potential loss of no claims bonus

• When claiming against road authorities collect evidence, report the pothole, and get repair quotes

How many potholes are there in the UK?

Some estimates suggest there as many as 11.5 million potholes on the UK roads, while breakdown provider the RAC estimates there are at least one million potholes on UK roads.

In the first quarter of 2025, RAC patrols attended 9,439 pothole-related breakdowns – more than double the number they were called out to between October and December 2024. And in 2024 as a whole they attended more than 22,000 pothole-related breakdowns.

Why does the UK have a pothole problem?

A combination of the UK’s rainy weather and temperamental temperatures in the colder months of the year can wreak havoc on our old roads, turning small cracks into huge holes in only a matter of months.

What damage can potholes cause?

Even small potholes can cause some pretty serious damage to a vehicle if they’re hit at the wrong angle.

They can lead to:

✔ Punctured tyres

✔ Suspension damage

✔ Steering misalignment

✔ Damage to wheels

For low cars, the danger extends to scraping the undercarriage or harming the exhaust system, creating potential safety hazards.

All of these can lead to breakdowns as well as some hefty repair costs, and of course claiming on your insurance to cover these repairs also runs the risk of pushing up the price of your premiums.

But let’s not forget that it’s not just cars on the road. Cyclists and pedestrians also need to be cautious of potholes as a fall off a bike or a stumble can cause serious injury.

Does car insurance cover pothole damage?

Yes, if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy your car insurance should cover you if your vehicle has been damaged by potholes. However, just because you’re covered it may not always be necessary to make a claim on your insurance.

How to claim pothole damage from a council or road authority

To claim compensation you’ll need to contact to the appropriate body, which varies depending on the road's location:

How successful are pothole claims?

Not very. Seventeen councils which responded to a Freedom of Information Request by the RAC paid out just 15% (3,131) of the 20,432 claims submitted by drivers in 2023.

There are several reasons why your claim might be rejected:

• If the authority was unaware of the pothole

• If the damage was from road debris, not the pothole

• If you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol

If the pothole is on private land, authorities are not liable, and you would need to claim against the landowner, a process that is often more challenging.

Can I appeal if my pothole claim is rejected?

Yes, if you feel your claim has been unfairly rejected. For example, if you could demonstrate that the authority did not carry out proper road maintenance or inspections, which it is required to do under the Highways Act. To gather this evidence you will need to do Freedom of Information Act request to the local authority.

Depending on the extent of the vehicle damage, you could consider taking the local council to the small claims court or seeking legal advice.

How can I prevent pothole damage?

To minimise the risk of pothole damage:

• Keep your car in good condition, especially the suspension and tyre pressure

• Adhere to the speed limit; higher speeds increase the chance of damage

• Stay vigilant on the road, particularly in wet conditions where potholes can be obscured by puddles

How is the UK Government tackling the pothole crisis?

• The UK Government is making a £1.6 billion investment, including an extra £500 million announced in the 2024 UK Autumn budget, to tackle the pothole crisis. The Government says this is enough to fill 7 million potholes a year

• Councils in England have to publish annual progress reports or they risk losing 25% of the £500 million funding

How do I report a pothole?

In many cases you can report a pothole through GOV.UK. Simply put in your postcode and it will direct you to the relevant local authority.