Only a small percentage of the total number of claims in Kent are processed compared to a recently-published survey
Payouts for cars damaged by potholes in Kent fall far short of the national average, new analysis has shown. Only a small percentage of the total number of claims in the county are processed compared to a recently-published survey.
Comparable data from the RAC motoring organisation, based on council statistics, also shows the sharp contrast in the number of claims and those settled. Potholes cause burst tyres, damaged shock absorbers and wheel distortion that can prove costly at the garage.
The RAC said its survey of 2024 shows the national compensation average was £390 – short of a typical repair bill – with 26 per cent of claims settled. Yet official figures between 2022 and 2025 show that Kent County Council (KCC), which is responsible for the upkeep of the county’s highways apart from in Medway, show it paid out an average of just £192 on just 8.5 per cent of the total claims made.
A 2025 IAM RoadSMart survey of 1,855 members showed that 26 per cent had paid up to £200 for pothole-related car repairs and 24 per cent spent £300-600. The RAC did acknowledge that many of the councils surveyed rejected a very high number of claims.
KCC was contacted for reasons why settled claims are low and the payout determined is in most cases much lower than the claim. The RAC survey of English councils via the Freedom of Information Act showed that the number of pothole compensation claims rocketed nationally by 90 per cent in three years to 2024 from 27,000 to 53,000.
Available KCC figures for 2022 to 2024 saw a rise from 651 claims to 1,239. The KCC figures relate to the Conservatives’ tenure at County Hall and Reform UK has made pothole repairs a priority since coming into office in May.
The authority recently trumpeted its 23,000th repaired pothole, which is up nearly a fifth in the same May to November period in 2024. It also said one million square metres of road improvements have been made and almost the same in preservation treatments to prevent potholes forming.
They can be caused by a number of factors or a combination, such as freezing and thawing, heavy goods traffic, water damage, age and wear and poor maintenance. Cllr Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Our crews have worked hard to increase the number of potholes repaired and the amount of resurfacing completed, while carrying out surface treatments to prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
“This preventative work is crucial because it helps us build resilience into the network, reducing the number of potholes we’ll need to fix in future years. We’re delivering a service that residents can rely on and building a network that’s fit for the future.”
Liberal Democrat deputy opposition leader, Cllr Richard Streatfeild, said: “Why there is a disparity in the figures is unclear. But £7m of extra money given by the government has been spent over the summer and into autumn but we won’t know if this will be judged a success until next spring and that, as always, depends on the weather.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Every pothole breakdown means hassle, frustration and ultimately cost for drivers – up to £590 for anything worse than a puncture. For those on two wheels, they’re an out-and-out danger.
“But the tide might finally be turning. Despite the disappointing breakdown figures, a small but growing proportion of drivers tell us their local roads are in a better state than 12 months ago.
“The government is also applying pressure on councils to do the right thing when it comes to maintaining the roads, requiring each authority in England to set out precisely what preventative maintenance it has done and plans to do – something we have long called for. As a country, we’re a long way off having the roads that everyone deserves. But we hope the rot has at least been stopped.”
A KCC spokesperson said: “We understand how frustrating it is for the travelling public if their vehicle is damaged by a pothole. All claims for compensation are thoroughly investigated and assessed in line with our duties under the Highways Act.
“The Act acknowledges that a defence is available to local authorities when they are able to demonstrate a reasonable system of inspection and repair. When we pay out claims, the money comes from public funds. Because of this, we have to reduce payments for items that wear out over time and would need replacing anyway.
“For example, if a claim includes damaged tyres, we may lower the payment to reflect this. Potholes are an issue that affects all areas of the UK, not just Kent, and are a symptom of decades of significant underfunding in roads by central government.
“Each year, KCC invests more than £50m a year in Kent’s local road network, which includes repairing potholes and resurfacing roads and footways. Despite the money invested, and the relentless work our teams do to maintain and repair roads, the number of defects reported on the roads continues to be exceptionally high and the current maintenance backlog in Kent stands at more than £1bn for all highway assets.
“We continue to raise with Government the need for a dramatic increase in multi-year funding settlements for highways funding, as this would mean we would instead be investing in the long-term benefit of our highways assets, with a fully funded programme laid out over decades, rather than the annual number of individual potholes to fix.”
