Pothole insurance claims up by 40pc in the past year

POTHOLE insurance claims have risen by 40 per cent in a single year, figures show.

The amount of claims related to holes in the road received by Admiral car insurance hit 1,324 last year, up from 946 in 2022.

The figure topped the company’s previous record of 1,057 claims in 2018, when the “Beast from the East” storm caused widespread disruption and damaged road surfaces.

Pothole claims to Admiral have more than doubled since 2016, with last year on course to be a record.

The average cost of pothole-related damage also increased by nearly a third last year compared with 2022, according to the data, rising from £2,378 to £3,070. The insurer said the cost increase is likely to be linked to higher-tech vehicles and a general increase in the price of repairs.

It warned of new potholes opening up over the coming months following the recent barrage of storms that have battered Britain, including Storm Henk.

Potholes form when water seeps into small cracks in road surfaces and then freezes and expands in cold weather.

Driving over a deep pothole can cause damage to a vehicle’s tyres, alloy wheels, steering alignment and suspension.

Adam Gavin, head of claims at Admiral, said: “January 15 marks National Pothole Day and anyone who drives will be familiar with that sudden ‘clunk’ from roads that are plagued with potholes. Potholes are more than just an inconvenience, they can also cause costly damage to your vehicle.

“January, February and March are the worst time of year for pothole claims, with more than a third of claims we receive made over this period, as road surfaces become unsettled by freezing temperatures and thaws.

“Pothole pockets can quickly open up, especially if the weather has been bad, which means they might not have been there the last time you took that route. Keep a sharp eye and slow down – swerving can be more dangerous.”

‘Anyone who drives will be familiar with that sudden clunk. Potholes can cause costly damage to your car’