Admiral Car Insurance said that claims for damage caused by potholes are the highest on record in the last nine years.
The number of pothole claims in 2024 was 14 per cent higher than 2023, the previous record-breaking year.
The number of pothole claims Admiral received has almost tripled (175 per cent) in the last nine years.
More than a third (36 per cent) of pothole-related claims take place between January and March – more than any other time of year.
Adam Gavin, head of claims at Admiral, said: “January 15th marks National Pothole Day and anyone who drives will be familiar with that sudden ‘clunk’ from roads that are plagued with potholes.
“Potholes are more than just an inconvenience; they can also cause costly damage to your vehicle.
“Driving over a deep pothole, even at a low speed, can cause damage to your tyres, alloy wheels, steering alignment, wheel tracking and balancing and suspension.
“If the steering is severely damaged it can also make it difficult to control the vehicle, which could increase the risk of accidents.”
The average cost of pothole damage also increased by 20 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023, according to Admiral’s claims data, likely linked to more technology in vehicles and a general increase in the cost of repairs.