The online insurance comparison service Quotezone.co.uk has published a new study finding that the number of potholes on UK roads has continued to increase.
According to the company, which studied reports from local authorities across the UK, the number of potholes being reported by drivers in 2023 was 40 percent higher than 12 months earlier.
Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, noted that one of the most significant causes of road damage has been the varying weather that the country has experienced.
He explained: “The extreme weather conditions over the last two years have really accelerated the growing pothole problem. They continue to blight UK roads causing dangerous and costly damage for all road users.
“The Quotezone survey showed 59 percent of drivers don’t report potholes, with drivers saying a clearer reporting tool to help them raise awareness of problem areas would be key to aiding the situation.”
Quotezone.co.uk highlighted that 2023 was one of the wettest years on record in the UK, which caused many of the pre-existing potholes and cracks in the roads to get filled with water and, during cold temperatures, freeze, worsening the damage.
In all, 413,094 potholes were reported to local authorities over the year-long period, with nearly £500 million said to have been invested into repairing the crumbling roads.
However, whilst local authorities continue to make repairs, 92 percent of motorists stated their views that the quality of the roads is continuing to worsen, according to the survey of 1,000 people.
To help motorists fix any damage caused by potholes, Greg highlighted that drivers can claim any repairs on their comprehensive insurance policy, but it comes with a downside.
He added: “From an insurance perspective, if drivers have fully comprehensive car insurance, then they should be covered for pothole damage.
“Two things of note though – they’ll need proof the damage came from a pothole and the excess on the policy may be more than the damage itself, so it’s worth getting a quote for repairs and weighing up the options.
“Claiming on the insurance will also likely mean drivers lose their next no-claims bonus and the next five years of car insurance could therefore be more expensive until the claim has cleared.”
Nevertheless, drivers who have had their car damaged by a pothole could also apply for compensation from their local council or road authority in order to fix their vehicle.
Whilst each authority will have a unique way in which drivers will need to make claims, motorists will likely need to take photos of the damage caused to their vehicle and the measurements and location of the pothole.
In some cases, reports from witnesses such as pedestrians or other road users can also help to back up a claim.
