Five steps to claim back compensation for pothole damage

HITTING a pothole can cause damage to your vehicle and leave you with a hefty garage bill.

But there are a number of steps motorists need to take to give them the best chance of claiming compensation.

PHOTO

If you hit a pothole and it causes damage to your vehicle you should pull over and get your camera out.

Take a photo of the hole but also the area around you.

You should then photograph the damage the pothole has caused to your vehicle.

These photos could prove crucial evidence when you make a claim.

REPORT

It is vital you report the location of a damaging pothole and other details of it to your local council.

You can do this via your local authority's website and this will allow them to organise for it to be filled in.

Once there, you may also be able to make a claim if it has damaged your vehicle.

RECEIPTS

Once a garage has repaired any pothole damage to your vehicle it is important to keep a receipt.

CLAIM

Once you have a receipt you can make a claim to the council to cover the costs or to your insurance firm.

This is where your photos of the pothole and damage it has caused will come in handy.

If your claim is successful, you may get the repair costs totally covered.

APPEAL

If the council reject your claim, you can appeal.

You can also request to see their road inspection reports via an Freedom of Information request.

These can be submitted via your local council's website or by email.

The report will allow you to check if they have actually been inspecting roads properly.

If they have not, you have a right to appeal and take your case up with the council.

This is not guaranteed and it is vital you check the terms of conditions of a council's liability in each case.