Can you claim for pothole damage on car insurance?
Can you claim for pothole damage on your car insurance? Yes — if you have comprehensive cover, pothole damage to your vehicle is generally covered as accidental damage. But whether claiming on your insurance is the right move is a different question. For many pothole incidents, the better route is a direct claim against the local authority responsible for the road, because it costs you nothing, preserves your no-claims discount, and doesn’t affect your renewal premium.
Here’s how both routes work and how to decide which to use.
What damage does a pothole typically cause?
Pothole damage is more varied than most people assume — it’s not just a burst tyre. Common damage includes tyre puncture, bulge or blowout; bent or cracked alloy wheel; damaged wheel rim; suspension damage such as bent control arms, damaged struts or springs; steering component damage; exhaust damage from sudden bottom impact; and wheel alignment thrown out of specification.
Tyre and wheel damage alone can easily reach £200–£600. Suspension damage can cost £500–£2,000 or more. These figures make it worth pursuing a claim rather than self-paying in most cases.
Route 1: Claiming on your car insurance
Under a comprehensive policy, pothole damage falls under accidental damage cover. You’ll pay your excess, and your insurer will record the claim on your policy. The claim may affect your no-claims discount — some insurers treat a pothole claim the same as any other accidental damage claim, while others apply specific provisions.
Use this route when the damage is significant, you’re uncertain who is responsible for the road, or you need the repair done urgently without waiting for a council claim to resolve. The downside is that your excess and the impact on your NCD at renewal may make this more expensive in the long run than a successful council claim.
Route 2: Claiming directly from the local authority
Local authorities have a legal duty to maintain roads in a reasonably safe condition under the Highways Act 1980. If a pothole was reported but not repaired within a reasonable timeframe, or if it was large enough to constitute a clear hazard, you may have grounds for a successful claim.
This route costs you nothing — no excess, no NCD impact, no effect on your renewal premium. A successful claim can recover the full cost of repairs plus any related costs such as tyre replacement, recovery if the car was undriveable, and hire car costs.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Photograph everything immediately | The pothole (with something to show scale), your vehicle, tyre/wheel damage, and the road surface. Date-stamped photos are ideal. |
| 2. Measure the pothole if possible | Depth and width — anything over 40mm deep is generally considered actionable, though standards vary by authority. |
| 3. Note the exact location | Full address, road name, nearest landmark or junction. Screenshot the location on Google Maps. |
| 4. Check if the pothole was previously reported | Search the local authority’s Fix My Street / reporting portal. A previously reported but unrepaired pothole significantly strengthens your claim. |
| 5. Get repair quotes or receipts | Documented evidence of the damage cost is required for the claim. |
| 6. Submit to the correct authority | Check who is responsible: local council for local roads; National Highways for motorways and major A-roads. |
| 7. Follow up formally if needed | If rejected, you can escalate to the Local Government Ombudsman or pursue via small claims court. |
The council’s primary defence is section 58 of the Highways Act — that they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair in place. If the pothole was reported and left unfixed, this defence weakens considerably. Always check Fix My Street or equivalent before submitting your claim.
How likely is a council claim to succeed?
Success rates vary, but you’re more likely to succeed with a claim when someone previously reported the pothole and the council failed to repair it; when it was clearly large enough to be a hazard (40mm+ depth is a common threshold); when you took clear photographic evidence at the scene; and when you documented your repair costs with receipts.
If the council rejects your claim, you can pursue it through the small claims court for claims under £10,000 without a solicitor. Many successful small claims pothole cases are brought by drivers who were initially rejected.
What about tyre damage specifically?
Standard car insurance policies typically do not cover tyre damage caused by normal wear — but they do cover sudden, accidental tyre damage, which includes a blowout caused by hitting a pothole. This falls under the accidental damage section of a comprehensive policy. For more on what’s covered, see our guide to what car insurance covers.
If you also have tyre and alloy insurance — sold as an optional add-on or through some car finance agreements — this may provide faster, lower-friction cover for wheel and tyre damage specifically.
The hybrid approach
If the damage is urgent, claim on your insurance to get the car repaired immediately. Then pursue the council claim simultaneously. If the council claim succeeds, the settlement you receive can cover your excess — effectively making the repair free. Check with your insurer that this is permitted under your policy terms (it usually is).
For a full walkthrough of the claims process, see our step-by-step guide to how to make a car insurance claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is pothole damage covered by car insurance?
Yes, under comprehensive cover — it counts as accidental damage. You’ll pay your excess and it may affect your NCD.
How do I claim pothole damage from the council?
- Photograph the pothole and damage
- Check if it was previously reported
- Get repair quotes
- Submit a formal claim to the responsible highway authority — local council for local roads, or National Highways for motorways and major A-roads.
How long does a pothole claim take?
Council claims can take 3–6 months to resolve. Insurance claims for the repair itself are typically handled within 2–4 weeks.
What is the minimum pothole size to claim?
There’s no fixed legal minimum, but councils often use 40mm depth as an internal threshold. A pothole can still be actionable below this if it was reported and left unfixed for an unreasonable period.
Can I claim for a puncture caused by a pothole?
Yes — both on comprehensive insurance as accidental damage, and through a council claim if the pothole constituted a road defect.
How Rooster can help
If you’ve been involved in an accident or incident on the road, Rooster’s free Accident Assist service can help you get the best possible outcome — whether that’s managing a claim, navigating liability, or making sure you’re not left out of pocket.
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