How do you claim for pothole damage in the UK?

You can claim for any repairable damage directly caused by a pothole, such as broken wheels, burst tyres, suspension issues, or wheel alignment problems. Claims are only valid if you can prove the pothole was responsible for the damage.

Potholes can cause anything from minor scuffs to major mechanical damage. Even a single deep impact can bend an alloy wheel or damage your car’s steering geometry, which often goes unnoticed until a garage inspection. The key is to connect the damage clearly to that specific pothole, not just general wear and tear.

Here’s what drivers most commonly claim for:

 
Authorities are unlikely to pay for damage considered cosmetic or unrelated, such as pre-existing wear or old scratches.

For the best chance of success, get a written assessment from a qualified mechanic stating that the damage was caused by a sudden impact. Keep the damaged parts if possible — they can serve as additional evidence if the authority requests verification.

Remember, the clearer the connection between the pothole and the repair, the stronger your claim will be.

You can prove the pothole caused the damage by providing clear photos, repair invoices, and an independent mechanic’s statement linking the impact to the defect. Consistent, time-stamped evidence is crucial for a successful claim.

When a council or road authority receives a claim, their first question is simple: can you prove this pothole actually caused the damage? To answer “yes,” your evidence must be specific, recent, and detailed.

Take several photographs of the pothole showing its size, depth, and position on the road. Include something in the shot for scale, such as a ruler, water bottle, or your car tyre. Capture a wider view so the authority can identify the exact location later.

Next, record the date, time, and weather conditions. Fresh potholes often appear after heavy rain or freezing conditions, and those details can support your case.

Ask your garage or repair shop for a written report explaining that the damage resulted from an impact rather than wear and tear. Keep invoices, receipts, or even damaged parts as physical evidence.

If the pothole hasn’t been filled, consider returning to photograph it again a few days later. If it’s been repaired quickly, take a follow-up photo — this can show that the authority acknowledged it existed, which indirectly supports your claim.
 
Quick checklist:

• Photos of the pothole (close-up and wide-angle)
• Evidence of its location (street sign, postcode, landmarks)
• Mechanic’s written statement
• Copies of all repair estimates or invoices
• Incident date and time

Strong documentation shifts the burden of proof back to the road authority — and that’s where most successful claims are won.

You can claim for pothole damage through your car insurance if you have comprehensive cover, but it may affect your no-claims bonus and increase future premiums. Claiming from the road authority avoids that risk, but success isn’t guaranteed.

If your car has suffered serious damage and you can’t afford the repair upfront, claiming through your insurer may be the fastest route. Insurers typically pay out quickly once the repair is approved, although you’ll need to pay your excess and may lose part of your no-claims discount.

When the damage is moderate or inexpensive to fix, it’s often better to claim directly from the responsible authority. Councils and road bodies don’t always accept liability, but when they do, you could recover the full repair cost without affecting your insurance history.

Advantages of claiming from the road authority:

• No impact on no-claims discount
• No excess to pay
• Opportunity to hold the authority accountable

Disadvantages:

• Claims can take weeks or months
• Councils may reject claims citing maintenance records
• You must fund repairs upfront

If you do use your insurer, you can still inform them that a third party (the road authority) was responsible. They may choose to pursue the authority themselves under subrogation rules — a behind-the-scenes recovery process that doesn’t involve you.

Ultimately, it comes down to the value of the claim versus the cost of losing your no-claims discount. If the repair is cheaper than your excess, a direct claim to the road authority usually makes more sense.

Most pothole claims take between four and twelve weeks to process, depending on the road authority, the volume of claims, and how quickly you provide supporting evidence. Complex cases or rejected claims can take several months.

Once your claim is submitted, the road authority will log it, assign a reference number, and begin reviewing your evidence. Straightforward cases with clear proof — for example, where the pothole was already reported and recorded — are often resolved quickly.

Delays tend to occur when inspection records need to be checked, engineers consulted, or third-party contractors involved. Councils dealing with large backlogs after winter months may also take longer to respond.

To keep things moving, always follow up politely after four weeks if you’ve heard nothing. Provide your claim reference number and ask for an estimated timeframe for review. Maintaining polite persistence keeps your case visible without alienating the claims handler.

If your claim passes the initial review, payment usually follows within two to three weeks. Rejected claims, however, can take much longer if you choose to appeal or escalate to an ombudsman.
For comparison, insurers typically handle pothole-related claims faster — often within a few days — because they already hold your policy details and repair partners on record. Road authorities, in contrast, must verify each case individually.

In short, patience helps. Keep communication clear, evidence organised, and timelines documented. That professionalism alone can shorten the process considerably.