From Bumps to Bills: Pothole Claims Up 90% in Three Years
Spring is (almost) in the air. The mornings are brighter, the evenings are stretching out, and for a moment you think: “Maybe driving will feel pleasant again.”
Then you hit a pothole.
That terrible thud. The steering wheel judders. You wince. And suddenly you’re wondering whether your alloy wheel has survived the encounter.
Over the past three years, pothole compensation claims submitted to 177 local authorities have surged by 91%, rising from 27,731 in 2021 to 53,015 in 2024. That’s nearly double the number of drivers seeking reimbursement for damage caused by poor road surfaces.
At MotorEasy, we spend our time helping drivers manage the cost of car ownership - and right now, Britain’s roads are making that job harder than ever.
A problem that’s spreading fast
The RAC recently covered 207 councils across England, Scotland and Wales, representing nearly 246,510 miles of local roads. Of the 177 that responded, several reported eye-watering increases in claims.
Derbyshire experienced one of the sharpest increases in claims, rising from just 224 in 2021 to 3,307 in 2024. Glasgow more than doubled its total, jumping from 1,140 to 2,794 claims. Oxfordshire also saw a dramatic climb, from 488 to 1,941.
To put that into perspective, Glasgow received more claims last year than it has miles of road - 2,794 claims across a 1,203-mile network. Meanwhile, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Edinburgh and Bury each received roughly one claim per mile of road they maintain.
Claiming? The odds aren’t great
If you’ve ever considered claiming compensation after pothole damage, brace yourself.
Of the 177 councils that shared 2024 data, 97% rejected more than nine in ten claims. In total, 172 councils refused over 90% of the claims they received.
That means roughly three out of four drivers walked away without compensation.
Even for successful claims, the numbers aren’t always reassuring. Councils paid out an estimated £3.56 million in total during 2024, with an average settlement of £390 per claim. However, the average repair bill for more serious pothole damage to a family car sits closer to £590.
That’s a £200 gap - and that’s before factoring in the inconvenience of being without your car. A cracked alloy or damaged suspension can quickly turn a routine commute into a financial headache.
Even when drivers do win, they may still be out of pocket.
Some councils paid significantly more per claim than others. Merton Borough Council recorded the highest average payout at £2,267 per claim (though across only five successful cases). In Wales, Wrexham averaged £2,026 per claim. In Scotland, Glasgow paid around £253 per successful claim.
Derbyshire is estimated to have paid the highest total amount of claims overall - around £605,000 in 2024 alone. Several councils rejected 99% of claims submitted. Only one authority, Bridgend, paid out 100% of its claims - albeit across a relatively modest 52 cases.
The takeaway? Submitting a claim is far from a guaranteed solution.
Why are claims so hard to win?
In most cases, councils can defend a claim if they can prove they had a reasonable inspection and maintenance system in place. If a pothole wasn’t previously reported, or developed between inspections, drivers may find it difficult to establish liability.
That’s why documentation matters:
- Photograph the damage and the pothole (if safe)
- Record the exact location
- Keep repair invoices
- Report the defect to the council
Because while the odds may be slim, being informed gives you the best possible chance.
Is there hope ahead?
There are signs that things might improve. Highways authorities in England have been given a record £1.6 billion this year for road maintenance. For the first time, they’re also required to show how much preventative maintenance they’re carrying out to stop potholes forming in the first place - not just patching them after they appear.
The Government has also announced multi-year funding settlements, giving councils more certainty to plan longer-term repair programmes. Preventative surface dressing and proactive maintenance could help shift the dial - but drivers may need patience before they feel the benefit.
The smart way to protect yourself from pothole damage
While we all hope the extra funding and focus on preventative maintenance will improve Britain’s roads, the reality is that potholes aren’t disappearing overnight.
And as the data shows, claiming compensation from a council can be a long shot - with most claims refused and payouts often falling short of the true repair cost. That’s where having the right protection in place can make all the difference.
Alloy wheels are particularly vulnerable to pothole damage. A heavy impact can cause scuffs, cracks, buckling or even structural damage - and repairs or replacements don’t come cheap. With average repair bills already stretching beyond what many drivers feel comfortable covering unexpectedly, it makes sense to consider a safety net.
MotorEasy Alloy Wheel Insurance is designed to do exactly that.
Rather than relying on the slim chance of a successful council claim, our cover helps protect you against the cost of repairing or replacing damaged alloy wheels caused by potholes. It means less stress, fewer financial surprises, and the reassurance that one unavoidable thud won’t derail your monthly budget.
Because until every road is smooth and crater-free (we can dream), protecting your wheels - and your wallet - is a smart move. If Britain’s potholes aren’t going anywhere just yet, at least you can drive knowing you’re covered.
