UK Pothole Claims Rise 90% Over Three Years

Pothole compensation claims submitted to local authorities across Britain have risen 90 percent over the past three years, reaching 53,015 in 2024 compared with 27,731 in 2021, according to analysis by the RAC motoring organization. The increase highlights ongoing challenges with road maintenance, though last year's figure marked a six percent drop from 56,655 claims in 2023. Data came from Freedom of Information responses by 177 of Britain's 207 councils.

Among responding councils, Derbyshire County Council recorded the sharpest rise, with claims jumping from 224 in 2021 to 3,307 in 2024. Glasgow City Council saw the second-largest increase, more than doubling from 1,140 to 2,794 over the same period. Oxfordshire County Council ranked third, with claims growing from 488 to 1,941. These surges reflect broader issues with deteriorating local roads, where potholes commonly damage vehicle components such as shock absorbers, suspension springs, and wheels.

Only 26 percent of claims filed in 2024 resulted in payouts, with average compensation at 390 pounds. The RAC estimates that typical repair costs for family car damage, excluding punctures, average 590 pounds, leaving many drivers...