Potholes are a daily hazard for Britain’s drivers – and with the roads ravaged by recent cold weather, they will be growing and multiplying by the day.
The RAC typically attends more than 10,000 pothole-related breakdowns every year. That’s an average of 27 call-outs every day. Figures from Admiral insurance showed pothole claims had risen by around a third since 2016, too.
To be classified as safety defects, potholes must generally be wider than 15cm (6 inches) in diameter, or deeper than 4cm (1.5 inches) below the road surface. Hit one and you risk damage to your car’s tyre, wheel and suspension – and potentially the steering and bodywork, too.
This short guide explains how you can claim financial compensation for pothole damage, along with how to bolster that claim with the right evidence.
How can I claim for pothole damage?
If your car has been damaged by a pothole, it’s possible to claim compensation. The success of the claim will depend on whether the pothole has been reported. Councils cannot be considered liable for a road defect that they are unaware of.
The organisation you contact depends on the location and type of road. In all cases, you will need to be armed with the following information:
- Details of the pothole damage
- Why you think the organisation is responsible
- The specific location where the damage took place. Include the road name and the nearest marker post number or feature
- The date and time when the pothole damage was caused
Who do I contact to claim for pothole damage?
England
- Most A-roads and motorways: National Highways on 0300 123 5000 or info@nationalhighways.co.uk
- London red routes: Transport for London on 0343 222 1234
- Other roads: contact the local council. You can use this link to identify the council in question and to report a pothole
Scotland
- Most A-roads and motorways: Traffic Scotland on 0800 028 1414 or info@trafficscotland.org
- Other roads: contact the relevant local council.
Wales
- Most A-roads and motorways: Traffic Wales on 0300 123 1213 or contact@traffic-wales.com
- Other roads: contact the local council.
Northern Ireland
- Apply online to the Department for Infrastructure to claim compensation for all types of road.
Will my claim for pothole damage be successful?
Section 58 of the Highways Act 1980 provides local authorities with a statutory defence if they can prove reasonable care was taken to secure the road, and that the pothole wasn’t dangerous to traffic.
This means they may not be liable if they were unaware of the pothole, or it wasn’t picked up by their own system of maintenance. However, if somebody has previously reported the problem, you have good grounds to make a claim.
According to consumer group Which?, you should take the following steps when making a claim for pothole damage:
- Collect evidence of pothole damage. Make a note of the precise location, take photos showing the depth of the pothole and damage to the car. Do not put yourself in danger when collecting evidence. Trespassing on a motorway is a criminal offence, so do not visit or try to photograph the location where your vehicle was damaged
- Report the pothole to the relevant authority
- Keep all receipts for repair work. If you haven’t fixed the damage yet, get a quote
- Make a claim. Check the specific procedure for making a claim
- Negotiate with the council. If you receive an offer, you may be able to negotiate
- Appeal a rejected claim. Ask to see the details of the council’s road inspection reports. You can also use the small claims court to pursue a claim
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