Winter roads and potholes, how do they affect your car?

Uzair Bin Nadeem Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Content Leave a comment

Winter roads can be treacherous and can make the problem of potholes even worse. But what can you do to make driving on icy, snowy roads safer and can you get compensation for pothole damage? Here, with handy advice is comparison site mustard.co.uk, who also share tips on how to get cheap car insurance that also gives you the protection you need.

How does winter affect my car?

Apart from scraping ice off our windscreens, most of us don’t think about how winter affects our car, but they can struggle as it gets colder, for example:

Car fluids including oil, antifreeze and transmission fluid can thicken as temperatures plunge, making it harder for them to move around your car’s systems. To avoid problems, keep levels topped up and use formulas with additives that help stop the fluids from thickening.
Car batteries don’t hold their charge as well in lower temperatures. Newer cars or cars with new batteries shouldn’t be affected too much by this, but if your car’s battery is more than a few years old, it could be harder to start. If you’re concerned, it’s worth getting a garage to give your car a winter check.
Tyres can lose pressure so think about checking them before setting off on longer journeys.

As well as affecting the way your car functions, winter roads can also prove challenging, particularly when it comes to ice, torrential rain and hail. If you really do need to travel in poor weather conditions, remember:

Stopping distances increase dramatically on icy or wet roads so leave lots of space between you and the car in front if you can.
To try and drive as smoothly as possible and avoid sudden braking or acceleration which could inadvertently cause your car to skid or slide.
To ensure you have enough fuel to get to your destination. It’s also sensible to pack water and snacks, a blanket and phone charger just in case.
Double check car windscreen wipers are in good working condition.

How does winter affect potholes?

Winter can make existing potholes even worse as rainwater seeps into the road surface. If the water freezes and then melts, it causes the road to expand and then contract, creating defects and holes which can get bigger over time.

If you’re unfortunate enough to hit a pothole, it can cause all sorts of expensive damage to your car, including ruining tyres, bodywork, and alignment.

Can I report pothole damage to my car?

You can. To report the pothole, you’ll need to find out which authority has responsibility for that particular road. The majority of authorities will have ‘report it’ tools on their website so it should only take a few minutes to report any road issue as well as potholes.

Main roads and motorways are managed by country:

England – contact National Highways (previously Highways England)
Wales – contact Traffic Wales
Scotland – contact Transport Scotland
Northern Ireland – contact the Department for Infrastructure for all roads and not just motorways and A-roads.

Will I get compensation for pothole damage to my car?

As well as reporting potholes to the appropriate authority, you can make a claim to cover the cost of damage. Whether or not your claim is successful is down to the individual authority.

If there’s a particular process for making a claim, it should be clearly set out on the relevant authority’s website, otherwise you can submit your claim in writing.

If you can, having a detailed account of what happened along with evidence of the pothole and the damage it caused can help strengthen your claim. This can include photos of the pothole, plus measurements, and relevant details like weather conditions at the time or even other witness accounts. It also helps to include repair bills and a report from the garage of the damage sustained.

Can I claim for pothole damage on my car insurance?

If you’ve got comprehensive car insurance that covers potholes, you can make a claim on your policy instead. However, this could affect your no claims bonus and lead to higher premiums at renewal. Don’t forget, you’ll also need to weigh up the cost of your excess compared to the cost of repairs.

What’s the best way to get cheap car insurance?

Car insurance costs vary considerably as premiums are based on all sorts of factors. So, while you can save money by paying for your policy in one go, adding a named driver and building up your no claims bonus, comparing quotes really is the quickest and easiest way to get the best policy price.

At mustard.co.uk, you can compare dozens of leading UK insurers from the comfort of home. Simply start your quote online or call an expert on 0330 022 8812.