How Britain's Pothole Problem Is Putting Windscreens At Risk

You may have read a report recently that revealed the true extent of Britain's pothole problem, saying that drivers had reported over one million road craters in 2023, the highest since the pandemic. 

This equates to more than 2,700 per day, and the worst hit region is the south-east with a staggering 200,000 found there.

​​The costs incurred by these potholes, both to fix them and to repair the cars they damage, are astronomical. According to What Car? Magazine, local authorities reportedly paid out more than £22.7 million in compensation last year alone, with the average claim amounting to £347.

Additionally, the amount needed to fix the backlog of local road repairs across the UK has reportedly reached a record £16.3 billion, demonstrating that the government and local authorities will need to invest huge sums if they’re to rectify this issue.

Damage To Windscreen

If you’re a savvy driver, you might have wondered how these potholes can impact your car, and in particular your windscreen. And you’d be right to wonder, as they can wreak havoc!

Potholes can create a number of issues for the glass of your vehicle, particularly the windscreen. Even seemingly minor cracks or chips in the glass can be exacerbated when encountering these road hazards, as the jolt from hitting a pothole can cause the damage to spread rapidly. 

Moreover, the sudden impact of hitting a pothole can create significant pressure on the glass, leading to further cracks or even shattering in the most extreme cases. 

Additionally, debris and loose gravel within potholes can be propelled upwards upon impact, posing a risk of scratching or chipping the glass surface, as well as damaging your paintwork. 

Therefore, it's essential to navigate roads cautiously and ensure your vehicle's glass is properly maintained to mitigate the risk of damage from potholes.

Protecting Yourself

With a growing number of potholes that could damage your windscreen, it’s never been more important to have cover. But did you know many insurance companies are removing windscreen cover?

If you think your insurance policy covers windscreen damage, check the wording to make sure. You might just get a nasty surprise!

If you discover you’re not covered then it might be time to protect yourself to avoid any costly bills in the unfortunate event you need your vehicle’s windscreen repaired.

Investing in windscreen cover is a wise decision for any vehicle owner. Not only does it protect you from any unexpected repair or eye-watering replacement costs, but cover for your windscreen also provides peace of mind as your vehicle’s safety is made a priority.