The number of insurance claims for pothole-related damage to cars has soared following the recent big freeze, according to AA Insurance.
Director Simon Douglas said: “We’re seeing a fourfold increase in the number of claims for pothole damage compared with the same period last year.”
The AA has expressed serious concern about the huge number of potholes on Britain’s roads this winter.
It calculated last month that the rise in VAT profits from petrol could be diverted to repair all the potholes in the UK within 100 days.
The AA claimed that the extra 1.8p in VAT per litre would see Britain’s roads smoothed over in three or four months.
Mr Douglas said: “The pothole season is with us early this year. It would take a quarry-like pothole to cause the sort of damage that would justify an insurance claim, but there are certainly some ‘A-list’ holes out there.
“But more commonly, our customers have either tried to avoid a pothole and hit something else, such as a kerb, or hitting a hole has caused them to momentarily lose control and hit another vehicle or object.”
The AA said pothole damage to cars was usually confined to tyres and wheels, steering and suspension.
Mr Douglas said: “If you hit a pothole and afterwards you notice vibration, the steering wheel doesn’t ‘centre’ properly or it pulls to one side, get the car checked immediately, as faults such as tracking or steering damage can lead to later expense or even an accident.
“Keep an eye on your tyres, too. Damage may not be immediately obvious but watch for development of telltale bulges on the tyre walls, indicating serious internal damage. If you see such a defect, change the tyre immediately as a bulge is likely to result in a blowout which could be catastrophic if you’re travelling at speed.”
The AA has started a national AA pothole watch and is inviting drivers to report potholes at www.theAA.com
Three pothole claims selected from AA insurance claims are:
Mr H hit a serious pothole that was full of water and concealed by the wet road surface. The strike punctured the front nearside low-profile tyre of his BMW, distorted and cracked the aluminium wheel and damaged the steering. Estimated repair bill: more than £2,200.
While negotiating a bend, Mrs P hit a pothole and lost control of her car. She hit the nearside kerb causing the front nearside wheel to collapse underneath the car as well as damaging the front valance of her Ford Fiesta on the concrete kerb. Estimated repair bill: £1,850 .
Mr W’s Skoda Superb slid on an icy road as he tried to avoid a pothole. However, his front offside wheel was caught by the hole, causing the back of his car to swing out into the path of an oncoming van. Estimated repair bill for car and van: £3,600.