Number of insurance claims for pothole-related damage rises

The number of insurance claims for pothole-related damage to cars has bumped sharply upwards, according to figures released by broker AA Insurance.

"We're seeing a four-fold increase in the number of claims for pothole damage compared with the same period last year," says Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance. But with loss of no-claim bonus and insurance excess, it takes serious damage from a pothole 'strike' - or the consequences of one - to justify making a claim. So although many pothole incidents cause damage, the cost of repair doesn't justify a claim."

The AA has expressed serious concern about the huge number of potholes on Britain's roads following the severe winter. It has called on the Government to provide extra cash for highway authorities to stem the pothole epidemic.

Last year, 47 million was lost in compensation claims and extra staff costs in dealing with them and the AA fears that unless the necessary investment is made available, the cost of claims will be considerably greater this year. It says that if the a highway authority has been notified of a defect it may be liable for damage caused so it is important to tell them about such hazards.

"The pothole season is with us early this year and is a third worse than last year," Douglas points out.

"It would take a quarry-like pothole to cause the sort of damage that would justify an insurance claim, but there are certainly some ‘A-list' holes out there. But more commonly, our customers have either tried to avoid a pothole and hit something else, such as a kerb, or hitting a hole has caused them to momentarily lose control and hit another vehicle or object."

Pothole damage to cars is usually confined to tyres and wheels, steering and suspension.

"If you hit a pothole and afterwards you notice vibration, the steering wheel doesn't ‘centre' properly or it pulls to one side, get the car checked immediately, as faults such as tracking or steering damage can lead to later expense or even an accident.

"Keep an eye on your tyres, too," Douglas advises. "Damage may not be immediately obvious but watch for development of tell-tale bulges on the tyre walls, indicating serious internal damage. If you see such a defect, change the tyre immediately as a bulge is likely to result in a blow-out which could be catastrophic if you're travelling a speed."

The AA has started a national AA Pothole Watch and is inviting drivers to report potholes at theAA.com.

Three pothole claims selected from AA insurance claims

Mr H hit a serious pothole that was full of water and concealed by the wet road surface. The strike punctured the front-near-side low-profile tyre of his BMW, distorted and cracked the aluminium wheel and damaged the steering. Estimated repair bill: over 2,200

While negotiating a bend, Mrs P hit a pothole that wrenched her steering, so losing control. She hit the near-side kerb causing the front nearside wheel to collapse underneath the car as well as damaging the front valance of her Ford Fiesta on the concrete kerb. Estimated repair bill: 1,850

Mr W's Skoda Superb slid on an icy road surface as he tried to avoid a pothole. However, his front offside wheel was caught by the hole causing the back of his car to swing out into the path of an oncoming van. Estimated repair bill to both car and van: 3,600