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Pot-hole car insurance claims are up 400%

Friday, 5 February 2010

Writes Seamour Rathore seamour@consumerchoices.co.uk

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Motorists are filing insurance claims following damage caused by potholes resulting from the “big freeze”, says AA Insurance.

Car insurance claims are up sharply, as a result of damage caused by potholes on UK roads in the wake of the cold snap.

Compare car insurance to see if there is a better deal out there for you.

It isn't the potholes, though, that are the direct cause of damage to cars. Instead, motorists are swerving to avoid potholes and ploughing into parked cars or other objects instead.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: “With loss of no-claim bonus and insurance excess, it takes serious damage from a pothole ‘strike’ – or the consequences of one – to justify making a claim."

Between 18 January and 3 February, AA Insurance got seven claims a day for pothole damage. The AA says this rate is expected to rise in the coming days.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at Creditchoices.co.uk, said: “Given the state of the roads, it’s not surprising that the insurance claims are coming in thick and fast.

“As the AA points out, you should check your tyres for damage too, as undetected damage can cause a blow-out. In the meantime, check your insurance policy has the right level of excess for you.

“You should also do a car insurance comparison to see if there is a better deal out there for you.”