Published 2 March 2026
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. These holes in the road can cause serious damage to your car, but in many cases they're completely unavoidable. So, let's check out what happens when you hit a pothole, and what your car insurance can do about it.
What causes potholes and how do they form?
Potholes form through a combination of water damage and traffic pressure. The process starts when water seeps into small cracks in the asphalt surface. When temperatures drop, this water freezes and expands, forcing the cracks to widen. As the ice thaws, it contracts again, leaving larger gaps. This freeze-thaw cycle repeats over and over, gradually breaking apart the road surface.
Once the asphalt weakens, heavy vehicles and constant wheel pressure push down on these compromised areas, breaking through the weakened surface and dislodging chunks of road material. The result is a bowl-shaped hole that grows deeper and wider with each passing vehicle.
Temperature fluctuations make the problem worse. During winter months, roads experience multiple freeze-thaw cycles, which is why potholes appear in clusters, particularly after cold snaps followed by milder weather. Areas with poor drainage are especially vulnerable, as standing water has more opportunity to penetrate the surface and accelerate deterioration.
Roads carrying heavy lorries and high volumes of vehicles deteriorate faster than quieter routes, as the constant weight and pressure speed up the breakdown of already weakened asphalt.
Matt Cox, Chief Claims Officer at Allianz UK says:
"We welcome the Government's recent initiative to publish clear pothole and maintenance data, to help follow best practice, as well as the biggest ever investment in local roads and the ongoing work local authorities are doing to help fix potholes. However, it's confusing that pothole definitions differ across England, rather than there being a national standardisation of what constitutes a pothole, which could help to make it clearer and easier for road users when reporting them to be fixed."
How to stay safe on pothole-prone roads
Despite the Government's biggest ever investment in local roads, potholes remain a problem, so it's important for drivers to know how to drive around them safely. Here are five practical tips to help you avoid damage:
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Stay on top of your tyres
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Watch out for water
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Take it slow
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Drive with caution at night
If your tyres are inflated correctly, they'll absorb impact better. Check your pressure regularly and act quickly if your tyre pressure is wrong.
Avoid driving through puddles when possible, or drive through them extra slowly, as they could be hiding a hefty pothole.
The faster you hit a pothole, the more damage you’ll cause, so reduce your speed on pothole heavy roads to stay safe.
Potholes are much more difficult to spot in the dark, so drive slowly and light up the road ahead as much as possible.
What can happen to my car if I hit a pothole?
Hopefully you'll get lucky and drive on with no issues. However, hitting a pothole can cause serious damage to components such as punctures in wheels, damaged suspension, damaged wheel bearings and issues with body work alignment. Whether you're covered depends on your level of cover, find out more about comprehensive car insurance.
The problem worsens in winter conditions when road defects are often hidden beneath puddles or standing water, making them harder to spot. Heavy traffic also increases wear on damaged road surfaces, which means potholes can develop quickly and catch drivers off guard.
How can you avoid potholes?
Potholes mostly appear on the side of roads due to the natural drainage design, however they can form anywhere on the road. They can also be in large clusters which 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. The faster you hit a pothole, the more damage you'll cause.
When the roads are wet and flooded, potholes can be much harder to spot as they can look like ordinary puddles. Standing water often hides hefty potholes underneath, so avoid driving through puddles when possible, or drive through them extra slowly. Loose gravel around the road edges can also signal poor drainage and potential potholes ahead.
For more on driving in wet and cold weather, check out our winter safety article for top tips.
What should I do if I hit a pothole, and how do I report it?
If you think that your car has suffered damage from hitting a pothole, pull over as soon as possible in a safe location. Make sure you record the position and photograph the pothole to report it to the local authorities. 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 further damage, call your insurer. For answers to common questions, visit our car insurance claim FAQs.
Reporting a pothole
To report a pothole, head to GOV.UK and enter the postcode of the road where you found it. This will direct you to the right authority – whether that's your local council or National Highways for motorways and major A roads. Take a clear photo showing the pothole's size and note the exact location. Response times vary across councils, but most aim to repair severe potholes (over 100mm deep) within five working days, whilst smaller defects may take up to 28 days depending on the road structure and utility access.
Potholes can be a complete menace. It's always best to slow down to avoid them, as they can cause serious damage.
Frequently asked questions about potholes
The term 'pothole' has an interesting origin. Historians believe it dates back to Roman times, when potters who couldn't afford to buy clay would dig into Roman roads that were built on clay layers. These excavations left deep holes in the road surface, which became known as 'potholes'. The word combines 'pot' (referring to the pottery trade) with 'hole', describing the cavity left behind.
Local councils are responsible for highway maintenance and pothole repairs on most UK roads. National Highways handles motorways and major A-roads, but everything else falls to your local authority. Councils use materials like asphalt and concrete to fill and resurface damaged areas. They're required by law to maintain regular inspection programmes and fix defects within published timescales, though response times vary depending on the severity of the pothole.
Yes, it's generally illegal for individuals to repair potholes on public roads. Highway maintenance is the responsibility of local councils and highway authorities, who must follow proper procedures and use approved materials. If you attempt to fix a pothole yourself, you could face legal action, and any damage resulting from your repair could make you liable for compensation claims.
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