Potholes have been described as a “plague” and a “scourge”, with millions of roads around the UK affected by damage to the surfaces. While local authorities have the responsibility to ensure roads are safe for drivers, many cannot keep up with the damage, with some going unreported.
However, the Money Saving Expert team are urging drivers to make themselves aware of the rules they can follow to try and get compensation for any damage to their vehicle.
Drivers can appeal to their local authority to try and get money back for any repairs made to their car after driving over a pothole.
A pothole usually needs to be a certain depth to be categorised as such, with most councils accepting a pothole as being 40mm deep – the height of two 20p coins.
People will need to prove it was the pothole which caused the damage, with mechanics being able to do this by detailing that on the repair report.
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As soon as a motorist hits a pothole, they should report it. This will protect other people from dealing with the problem and may help with the claims process.
According to the Money Saving Expert team, pothole claims can be a lengthy process, with some lasting as long as eight months. The official limit for retrospective claims is six years or five in Scotland.
Writing on the website, Martin Lewis said: “A compensation culture is dangerous and we need be wary of this, especially when taxpayers are footing the bill.
“Yet the authorities have a legal duty to maintain roads so they’re safe for everyone to use. If they don’t and your car’s damaged, they should help pay the costs to repair it.”
He highlighted the importance of only claiming if the authority responsible for the road has been negligent.
For local roads, B roads and smaller A roads, councils are responsible, while Highways England should be contacted for any potholes on motorways and major A roads.
Traffic Scotland will deal with claims on motorways and A roads in Scotland, with Dfl Roads helping drivers with pothole issues in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, TV presenter James Whale, advised drivers to claim compensation from councils to force their hand into filling the potholes.
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He said: “When it comes to potholed roads, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if there is a body of opinion within the ranks of councils that the less we drive the better, and if potholes keep us out of our cars that’s all well and good.
“In the meantime, I suggest anybody whose car is damaged by a poorly maintained road or pothole sues their council.
“It’s the only way they’ll learn we want them to stop wasting money and concentrate on the core services.”
In 2016, the Local Government Association claimed it would take 14 years to clear the backlog of potholes even though the Government fills in almost two million a year.
One driver ran over a pothole and was left with two “mangled alloys” and one damaged tyre, to the tune of £735.
After following the advice from the Money Saving Expert team, they were able to settle for the full amount after the claim was originally thrown out.
In the Spring Budget last month, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a further £200million in funding for local authorities to repair potholes and improve roads.
This investment for the Potholes Fund will help complete resurfacing and invest in major repairs like keeping bridges and main roads open.
It is hoped the funding will fix the equivalent of up to four million additional potholes across England in 2023 and 2024.
Following April 1, the Department for Transport unveiled new regulations to judge companies based on their performance when refilling potholes.
The Government will invest over £5.5billion by 2025 to improve highways and help motorists save on expensive repairs to tyres or suspensions.
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