Pothole claims are falling, but drivers say roads are worsening in the UK
It’s National Pothole Day in the UK today, and each year our UK business, Admiral, aims to raise awareness of the potential long-term damage caused by potholes and how our customers and the wider public can be better protected against them.
Our UK claims data shows that the number of pothole related claims has fallen by 20 per cent in 2025, dropping for the first time in five years. Yet new research reveals UK drivers spend £189 on average on pothole-related repairs and 57 per cent of motorists claim their local roads have worsened in the last year.
The colder weather means ‘Pothole Season’ (January to April) marks the peak months for pothole-related claims across the year (46 per cent of claims happen during this period). With 62 per cent of drivers suspecting potholes have caused their car long term damage, we’re warning motorists to check vehicles now – avoiding costly repairs further down the line.
Admiral worked with pothole expert and engineer, Graham Molsher, who advised the key signs of pothole damage to look out for:
| Key signs of pothole damage: |
| Bulges on tyres |
| New warning lights |
| Uneven tyre wear |
| Steering wheel vibrations |
| Strange noises |
| The car pulling to one side |
“To save yourself from costly repairs and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive, it’s important to get these problems checked out by your garage as soon as possible.”
Top five areas of damage caused by potholes
| Car part: | Drivers experiencing damage (%): |
| 53% |
| 33% |
| 28% |
| 27% |
| 27% |
We’ve urged motorists to check if they have comprehensive cover, which should mean claiming being a straightforward process, however it can affect their no claims bonus and they may need to pay an excess.
Or they can try to claim compensation for any damage caused, through whoever is responsible for the road, although this can be a tricky process and there is no guarantee they will be successful.
John Coles, Head of UK Customer Claims, suggests that the claims they see are just the tip of the iceberg.
“If the damage is relatively minor, drivers may decide to pay for the repair themselves. We want to help motorists spot the warning signs early, before small impacts turn into costly problems.”
Our step-by-step guide should help motorists who want to submit a compensation claim to the authority responsible for the road.
*Data from online survey conducted by Atomik Research among 2,001 respondents from across the UK, all of whom have a full UK driving licence and currently drive. The research fieldwork took place on 19th December – 22nd December 2025. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides to MRS code.