Potholes are costing drivers and their insurers at least £1 million per month

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A recent investigation by the AA (Automobile Association) pot holes are costing drivers and insurance companies more than £1m per month.

  • The AA has seen almost 3 times more pothole-related car insurance claims so far this year than it did over the same period in 2017. 
  • The number of pothole claims made to the AA during the first 4 months of 2018 is more than for the whole of 2017. 

Based on the AA’s share of the car insurance market, the broker estimates that there have been over 4,200 claims for pothole damage so far this year in the UK. With an estimated average repair bill of around £1,000, that comes to an eye-watering £4.2 million, or more than £1m per month. 

Janet Connor, director of AA Insurance, says: “In most cases the damage caused by a pothole, such as a ruined tyre or two and perhaps a wheel rim, doesn’t justify making an insurance claim, due to the policy excess and the potential loss of your no claims discount. So the claims we are seeing are clearly much worse than that. 

“Drivers are hitting potholes and ruining their suspension, steering, the underbody of the car or axles, and are occasionally being knocked off course and hitting other vehicles, kerbs or a lamp posts. 

“This year we’re seeing a growing number of pothole claims described as ‘car severely damaged and undriveable’, which didn’t happen at all last year. 

“According to research by the AA, almost 9 out of 10 (88%) drivers say roads are in a worse state now than 10 years ago. Has your car been damaged by a pothole in Bristol or North Somerset, we can carry out all repairs, including managing bodywork repairs if required. We provide a complimentary estimate of all work – don’t delay, pop in today!

“The pothole epidemic has become nothing short of a national disgrace. 

Content of the above post is from AA News – link to article