Data from insurer Allianz reveals that one in five (21%) insurance claims where a vehicle hit a pothole leads to the vehicle being declared an insurance write-off.
Caroline Johnson, claims director of motor insurance at Allianz UK, said:
“Our roads are blighted by potholes and it is astonishing to see the problems they cause. Many incidents result in damaged wheels, wrecked suspension, and misaligned bodywork. In one in five cases the damage is so severe and structural that it is not worth the cost of trying to repair the car. It’s a huge waste, and these costs feed back into the insurance premiums that many motorists are struggling to pay.
“Potholes are a growing menace, and we have seen a steady rise in both the frequency and cost of claims over the last few years. In early 2023 a typical claim cost just over £3,000, but that now stands at £4,000. It has become more expensive to repair cars for many reasons, including the cost of parts and specialist labour, so fixing any pothole-damaged car adds to the overall cost that insurers and ultimately consumers face.”
Claims to high-end prestige cars can be hugely expensive. Last summer, a new Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI hit a pothole on a B-road at 15mph. The damage caused to the front nearside wheel and undercarriage was so extensive that the vehicle was classed as a total loss and the claim totalled £36,000.
In another case, a 2020 Mercedes GLC220 hit a pothole at 30mph and ran into a ditch, damaging the bonnet, bumper and windscreen. The car was deemed a total loss and the insurance claim totalled £25,000.
Analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) calculates the total annual cost – caused by damage to vehicles, accidents and reduced speeds – of potholes in England amount to £14.4 billion a year.
Motorists can report potholes to their local authority via Fixmystreet or on National Highways for problems on motorways and A-roads.
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This article was adapted from an article by Allianz which can be found here.
