Consumers should review the details of their car insurance policy to see if they can recoup some repair costs, suggests independent research company Defaqto.
It is estimated that the insurance industry will be forking out £2.85m per month for pothole claims . Mike Powell, insight analyst at Defaqto said: “Local authorities are still struggling to fill the vast amount of potholes that have been created from the severe winter so the problems for motorists are far from over. Consumers should check their policy features and exclusions as they may be able to recover some costs of repair.”
All comprehensive car insurance policies include cover for ‘accidental damage’ and damage caused by potholes could therefore be covered. Motorists may be able to recover costs for damage as a result of potholes, however if the damage has been caused over a period of time by consistently driving over potholes, insurers could refuse the claim on the grounds that the damage has been brought about by ‘wear and tear’.