Pothole-related insurance claims have surged by 62 per cent over the past two years with Labour urged to do more to fix UK roads.
The urgency comes after a new report from Admiral Car Insurance revealed that claims in 2024 were 14 per cent higher than the previous record-breaking year of 2023.
The dramatic rise was attributed to poor weather including storms Henk, Kathleen, Bert, Conall and Darragh which increased road damage.
The findings represent the highest number of pothole claims recorded by the insurer in nine years.
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Admiral’s data reveals pothole-related claims have increased by a staggering 175 per cent since 2016, marking 2024 as a record-breaking year for damage reports.
The surge follows the previous record set in 2023, which had already shown significant increases following the ‘Beast from the East’ weather event in 2018.
Weather conditions have played a crucial role in the deterioration of road surfaces, with recent storms causing heavy rainfall and flooding across the UK.
The rising trend has caught the attention of authorities, with the Government pledging £500million towards local road maintenance in 2025-26.
Analysis of pothole claims reveals a clear seasonal pattern, with more than a third (36 per cent) occurring between January and March.
March proves particularly problematic, accounting for one in eight (12 per cent) of all pothole-related claims throughout the year.
This winter period sees the highest concentration of road damage claims, likely due to the impact of freezing conditions on road surfaces.
The timing coincides with the formation process of potholes, where water seeps into existing cracks, freezes and expands in cold weather, then creates gaps as it evaporates during warmer spells.
Adam Gavin, Head of Claims at Admiral said: “Driving over a deep pothole, even at a low speed, can cause damage to your tyres, alloy wheels, steering alignment, wheel tracking and balancing and suspension.
“If the steering is severely damaged it can also make it difficult to control the vehicle, which could increase the risk of accidents.
“If you think you’ve hit a bad pothole, get out and check for damage at the safest opportunity. Take photos of the pothole and the damage to your car and consider taking your vehicle to a mechanic to check for damage.”
In response to the data, Admiral has provided a step-by-step guide for claiming compensation for pothole-related damage from road authorities.
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The process begins with collecting evidence, including photos of the pothole, time and date of incident, and a written mechanic’s report.
Motorists must then identify which authority maintains the road, with local councils responsible for most local roads, B roads and smaller A roads.
