Fleets and drivers face a slim chance of making a successful claim for pothole damage compensation, according to new research.
The RAC sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to 207 councils across England, Scotland and Wales, which are responsible for almost a quarter of a million miles of local roads.
Of the 177 councils that shared data for their 2024 pothole compensation claims, the RAC found that 173 councils settled only 26% of them, paying 13,832 of the 53,015 submitted. Councils paid out an estimated £3.56 million that year, at an average of £390 per claim, despite the typical repair bill for pothole damage often exceeding £590.
The number of claims has risen sharply in recent years, jumping 91% from 27,731 in 2021 to 53,015 in 2024. Some authorities, including Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Telford, refused more than 99% of the claims they received.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Drivers are still suffering the consequences of years of neglect to Britain’s local road network. But even if you submit a compensation claim the odds aren’t good, with around 40,000 requests for reimbursement turned down in 2024 alone.”
Williams added: “There’s every chance that we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the claims that have been settled. But positively, councils received slightly fewer pothole compensation claims in 2024 than they did the year before.”
Pay-outs vary widely: Merton Borough Council paid an average of £2,267 per settled claim, while Derbyshire spent around £605,235 in total. In Scotland, Glasgow paid out approximately £154,724, and in Wales Wrexham paid an estimated £76,991.
The RAC’s figures highlight the difficulty motorists face in securing adequate compensation for pothole damage, despite a rising number of claims and ongoing concerns about the state of local road surfaces.
