Pothole claims already rising

Car damage insurance claims as a result of potholes on the roads are already soaring, according to AA Insurance.

The company disclosed that it has been receiving an average of seven pothole-related claims a day since the middle of January. It also revealed that last year the total amount it paid out in claims related to pothole damage was £47 million.

The AA has long criticised the quality of the UK’s roads and the problems that are faced by drivers when they encounter potholes.

Although only the really big holes will lead to direct claims for damage, the smaller potholes are dangerous because they lead to damage through other means. For example, drivers may swerve to miss a hole and hit something else instead. Potholes can also lead to a loss of control. The most affected parts of the vehicle are the tyres, steering, suspension and the wheels.

Simon Douglas, the director of AA Insurance, said that they were “seeing a fourfold increase in the number of claims for pothole damage compared with the same period last year”. He warned drivers that if they notice any vibration in the vehicle, or the steering wheel pulling to one side after hitting a pothole then they should check it out as soon as possible as it could lead to further damage or the possibility of an accident.

Drivers should also check for bulges on the walls of the tyres. This points to internal damage and should be dealt with immediately because if the tyre blows up while driving it can be catastrophic.

Drivers can now report any potholes they find to the AA Pothole Watch scheme here.