Tesco Insurance has settled 12% more pothole damage claims in January 2026 than in the entire second half of 2025.
Tesco Insurance said that the figures for January 2026 suggested that claims could rise sharply this year, as the country feels the impact of deteriorating road surfaces.
In the first 31 days of 2026, Tesco Insurance settled 56% of the total number of claims it paid out in the whole of 2025.
The data also showed that the cost of pothole damage is rising.
Compensation paid in January 2026 alone accounted for nearly a third (32%) of the total pay-outs for 2025, with the average claim costing around £4,441.
Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance, said: “It’s no secret that the UK’s roads are suffering badly, with the strain clearly showing on cars and vans from the growing number of potholes on our main roads and side streets.
“But it’s telling from our figures for January 2026 that pothole damage could reach its worst levels yet.
“Pothole claims in the first month of the year represented 4.1% of all single vehicle accident claims we received, the highest ever recorded at Tesco Insurance.
“With the trend likely to continue as roads deteriorate, we advise drivers to take extra care when driving to avoid any costly damage to their vehicles.”
Across the UK, Peterborough and Northampton had the most pothole damage claims for 2026 so far, based on January data.
Peterborough also topped last year’s claim table alongside Tonbridge, with the Kent town already sitting in joint third place for the first month of the year, alongside Plymouth and Sheffield.
Wheels accounted for the greatest proportion of pothole damage claims in January, the data showed, just as they did throughout 2025.
However, bumpers, brakes, suspension systems, and a panoramic roof were also affected.
