Road surfaces deteriorate as a result of the big freeze
Mark Monteiro, Insurance expert at uSwitch.com, comments on the deterioration of road surfaces in the UK as a result of the big freeze and offers advice to motorists: "Motorists are experiencing an extremely bumpy start to 2010. If snow and ice aren't making driving conditions treacherous enough, the increasing appearance of potholes as a result of the cold snap is pushing road damage to a third above the levels normally expected at this time of year.
"Potholes are a major cause of axle & suspension failure, which account for a third of all mechanical issues on UK roads and cost British motorists an estimated £2.8 billion in repairs every year. Yet authorities are fighting a seemingly uphill battle when it comes to fixing the roads - this latest wave of weather-related damage adds to an existing £1 billion repair backlog.
"As a result, it's possible that road conditions will remain poor for the time being and the number of insurance claims for damage to vehicles caused by potholes is likely to rocket. This will do nothing to halt spiraling cost of premiums which are rising at their fastest rate for ten years. With the average repair cost for pothole damage amounting to £240 and some bills as high as £2,710, it is vital that drivers are increasingly vigilant on the roads and take the necessary precautions to avoid being left out in the cold financially, long after the snow has subsided.
"If a driver does run into problems as a result of adverse road surface conditions, they should take a photo of the pothole itself, the damage sustained to the car, and of the surrounding area to prove the absence of warning signs or cones. It is also important to report the damaged road surface to their local authority's highways department, to which a claim for compensation to cover the cost of repairs can also be submitted. This may be a better way of re-couping the cash for repairs for those concerned about submitting a claim through their insurer and losing their no claims bonus."