With spring sprung, classic car owners across the UK are back out in force. Whether it’s a weekend run or a visit to a local meet, many vehicles that have been stored away over winter are back on the road.

However, while the sunshine may be welcome, the state of the UK’s roads is not. After a particularly wet and unsettled winter, potholes have become a common and costly feature of the driving landscape. Across the country, more than one million potholes were filled in 2023, yet the backlog continues to grow.

£17 Billion Pothole Repair Bill

It’s no small problem. The cost to repair pothole-hit roads in England and Wales has surged to nearly £17 billion, with estimates suggesting it could take 12 years to bring local roads back to an acceptable standard. Meanwhile, the government has allocated just £1.6 billion towards road repairs, a sum which critics argue barely scratches the surface.

Councils have also been warned they could lose funding unless they can show they are using it effectively.

For the wider economy, potholes are estimated to cost the UK over £14 billion annually in vehicle damage, accidents, and traffic delays.

But for classic car owners, the stakes can be even higher. Older vehicles often have more delicate suspension systems, specialist wheels, and hard-to-source parts that are far less tolerant of sudden jolts or underbody impacts.

A single strike can damage wheels, tyres, suspension or even bodywork and headlights—repairs that are not only costly but may compromise the originality of a cherished vehicle.

New Pothole Protection Insurance

Recognising the perennial pothole problem, Peter Best Insurance Services has introduced a dedicated Pothole Protection Insurance.

This add-on, available at policy renewal or when taking out a new policy, costs just £55 and offers cover for pothole-related damage to key components including wheels, tyres, suspension, bodywork, and headlights.

One of the most valuable aspects is that claims made under this protection do not affect the main policy’s No Claims Discount.

The claims process is straightforward: owners must submit details within 31 days of the incident, including photographs of the damage, the exact location, and confirmation that the pothole has been reported to the relevant local council or highways authority.

There are terms and conditions, and not all vehicles are eligible, so please call or visit the Peter Best Insurance Services website to Live Chat with our agents and see if Pothole Cover will work for you when you take out your next policy.

Still, there are practical steps classic car owners can take to protect their vehicles and lower the chances of pothole-related damage; for example, lowering tyre pressures slightly to soften impacts, avoiding puddles where potholes may be hidden, and fitting more robust, period-appropriate tyres.

Where possible too, plan routes to avoid poorly maintained rural roads and stick to known, well-surfaced routes, particularly if travelling to a show or rally.

We do hope you enjoy the weather and the wonders of pothole-free classic car motoring.

For more information about Pothole Protection or any other aspect of classic car insurance, please visit: www.PeterBestInsurance.co.uk

Like What You’ve Read?

For more articles like this, receive our weekly e-newsletter, including partner deals and all things motoring, register your email below.

Please note: You cannot subscribe to Smart-Motoring unless you put a tick in the checkbox below to indicate have read and agreed to our privacy policy.