19 February 2025
Pothole Perils: Are you covered if your journey takes a bumpy turn?
- How are potholes formed?
- How can you avoid potholes?
- What can happen to my car if I hit a pothole?
Lately, these pesky potholes are becoming more and more of a hazard on our roads. They can cause serious damage to your car, but in many cases they’re completely unavoidable. So, let’s take a look at what happens when you hit a pothole, and what your car insurance can do about it…!
How are potholes formed?
Potholes are the nasty result of freeze-thaw action in the road. Water gets into small cracks in the road and freezes overnight. This expands the crack over and over again, as the water freezes and thaws to eventually create a pothole. Along with gradual wear from vehicle wheels, these potholes can become quite a safety hazard.
How can you avoid potholes?
Potholes mostly appear on the side of the roads due to the natural drainage design, however they can form anywhere on the road. They can also be in large clusters which can make them harder to miss.
If you see a pothole, or you’re driving in a pothole-prone area, make sure to slow down and avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or other road users.
When the roads are wet and flooded, potholes can be much harder to spot as they can look like ordinary puddles. For more on driving in wet and cold weather, check out our winter safety article for top tips!
What can happen to my car if I hit a pothole?
1 in 5 pothole related incidents result in the vehicle being written off! Hopefully you’ll get lucky and drive on with no issues, however there can be some serious damage caused to components from hitting a pothole such as:
- Punctures in wheels.
- Suspension.
- Steering.
- Wheel bearings.
- Body work (alignment).
How much damage can a pothole cause to my car?
In 2024, Allianz paid out £2.70 million on 686 separate pothole-related claims, with only £112,508 of this being recovered from local councils.
Some Allianz pothole case studies
- In summer 2024, we saw a new Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI hit a pothole on a B road at 15mph. The damage caused to the front nearside wheel and undercarriage was so extensive, that the car was classed as a total loss, with the claim totalling £36,000!
- In another claim, our policyholder hit a pothole in their 2017 Land Rover Discovery, which blew the tyre meaning they veered into a ditch and tree. The vehicle was deemed a total loss, and we paid out £25,400.
- We had to write off a brand-new Dacia Sandero due to the policyholder hitting a pothole, veering off a country lane into a ditch which caused damage to all the offside of their vehicle. This claim cost £13,600.
What should I do if I hit a pothole?
If you think that your car has suffered damage from hitting a pothole, you should pull over as soon as possible in a safe location. Make sure you record the position and take a photograph of the pothole to report to the local authorities. You should check the following on your car:
- Check pressures and for any visible damages to tyres.
- Make sure your car still steers in a straight line.
- Listen for any extra knocks, rattles or bangs whilst driving.
If you find any of these issues or discover any further damage, then you should call your insurer.
Potholes can be a complete menace. It’s always best to slow down to avoid them, as they can cause serious damage.
If you do hit any bumps in the road, with the right level of Allianz Car Insurance, you’re covered - so you can get back on track!
