Potholes are a scourge on the nation’s drivers. Sure, the government might have designs on filling 7 million of the tyre-killing pits this year but that’s not the kind of thing that will be fixed overnight. Contact with a pit in the road can do more than just burst a tyre, with serious fissures in the ground causing everything from bent wheels to busted suspensions. It’s important to know how to claim for pothole damage to ensure bad luck doesn’t multiply.
If you’re on the receiving end of a calamity, you might wonder who’s liable. Does car insurance cover pothole damage? Is it between you and the council? Will I be able to get where I’m going? This blog will answer those questions and more!
Does car insurance cover damage from potholes?
Car insurance might offer pothole damage cover, but only on certain policies. A standard third-party cover isn’t going to protect you or your vehicle if and when you come up against a pothole. Also, it’s important to remember that claiming on a pothole might impact your no-claims discount/bonus, boosting your premiums.
Are pothole damage claims really the right time to put your policy to work? Considering there are hundreds of accidents on the road every day, it might be wiser to take alternative routes when you come up against some sub-par tarmac.
Claim for pothole damage through the government or council
If you want to be compensated for the damage done to your vehicle by a pothole, you might be able to claim money back from the government. However, the organisation you contact depends on where you are at the time of the pothole being hit, along with the type of road you were driving on.
The locations and contact points that differ include:
- Transport for London customer service if you were damaged on a London red route
- National Highways for most A-roads and UK motorways
- BEAR Scotland for most Scottish A-roads and motorways
- Amey for south-west and north-east Scotland
- Traffic Wales for most Welsh A-roads and motorways
- Department of Infrastructure for Northern Irish roads
- Local councils for local, smaller roads
Remember, when you claim for pothole damage through the government channels, you need to give as much detail about the event and why you think they’re responsible to ensure you’re repaid properly.
Breakdown cover for pothole damage
Okay, so you might be able to get some money back for your troubles, but what about the inconvenience of being stranded due to a pothole? The trick lies in working with a reputable, reliable breakdown cover company. While not every cover policy will cover recovery and restarts because of pothole damage, a comprehensive offering should be able to get you either towed to a garage, refitted with a new tyre or at least making the next steps towards travel again.
For more insights into breakdown cover, how to handle mishaps and general on-the-road advice, visit Motoring Assistance today. Happy driving!