Rise in pothole insurance claims

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Pothole car insurance claims shot up by about 600% over the past three years, with an estimated £2.85 million paid out by insurers in February alone, a study has found.

Research by the AA showed the big freeze caused major damage to roads in the country, which in turn led to around 1,900 pothole claims by motorists during last month.

A company spokesman, said: "Nationally, the damage to cars caused by potholes in February alone cost insurers around £2.85 million - the equivalent of about 1,900 claims.

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg, because it takes serious damage to make it worth an insurance claim. Garages and tyre centres are dealing with countless thousands of punctured tyres, damaged tracking or broken springs which don't justify making a claim."

The Government has been urged to repair the potholes by using the extra money raised from the increase in fuel duty on April 1.

According to the group, this would prevent councils being forced to raise council tax to cover the cost of maintenance.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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