If a pothole damages your tyre or wheel, you can make a claim against whoever is responsible for that road. For most roads that's the local council; for motorways and major A-roads it's National Highways. Success isn't guaranteed, but good evidence gives you the best chance.
What pothole damage looks like
- A bulge in the sidewall from the impact.
- A split tyre or sudden puncture.
- A buckled or cracked alloy wheel.
- Knocked wheel alignment causing pulling or uneven wear.
How to claim, step by step
- Stop safely and check the car, don't keep driving on a bulging or flat tyre.
- Photograph everything, the pothole (with something for scale), the damage, and the location.
- Note the details, road name, date, time and direction of travel.
- Report the pothole to the responsible authority (council or National Highways).
- Keep all receipts for repairs or replacement tyres and wheels.
- Submit your claim to that authority with your evidence.
Will the claim succeed?
Authorities can defend claims if they show they had a reasonable inspection and repair regime in place. Even so, it's worth claiming, especially with photos showing a clearly hazardous pothole. Reporting it also helps get it fixed for other drivers.
Get the tyre sorted first
Safety comes before paperwork. We'll replace a pothole-damaged tyre at your location across London and Birmingham and give you an invoice for your claim. See our broken tyre service or book now.
