Potholes are one of the biggest annoyances on the roads for UK drivers, not only are they uncomfortable to drive they can often cause serious damage to your car.
Driving over a deep pothole, even at a low speed, can cause damage to a vehicle’s tyres, alloy wheels, steering alignment, wheel tracking and balancing and suspension.
When the steering is severely damaged it can also make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle, which could increase the risk of accidents.
But can you claim for the damages caused by potholes from your car insurance?
On most occasions, the answer will be yes, but it is worth considering whether it is worth risking your insurer ruling you were at fault for the incident, and therefore hitting you with an excess charge.
Graham Molsher, engineer and pothole expert, said: “Potholes aren’t just a nuisance – they can be dangerous. A single hit can damage tyres, wheels, suspension and even knock wheel alignment out of manufactures specification, meaning safety systems like ADAS would need to be re-calibrated.
“However, damage isn’t always obvious straight away, meaning repeated impacts can accelerate wear and tear and lead to expensive repairs, affecting how safely your car drives.”
John Coles, head of customer claims at Admiral, added: “For the first time in five years, we’ve seen a fall in pothole claims, which sounds like good news.
“It would be great to think that we’ve finally turned a corner and are getting a grip on potholes. However, drivers are telling us a very different story.
“The majority of motorists say that the number and severity of potholes has got worse in the last year, with only one in five saying things have improved.
“It’s likely that the claims we see are just the tip of the iceberg, as these will usually be cars that have been severely damaged.
“If the damage is relatively minor, drivers may decide to pay for the repair themselves. We want to help motorists spot the warning signs early, before small impacts turn into costly problems.”
Admiral has created a step-by-step guide explaining how to claim compensation for pothole damage from either the local council or your insurer.
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