You hit a pothole. Your alloy cracked. Your tyre blew. Now what?
Most people absorb the cost themselves. They assume claiming against the council is complicated, expensive, or pointless. It isn't.
Under the Highways Act 1980, your local council has a statutory duty to maintain roads to a safe standard. When they fail — and a pothole damages your vehicle — you have a legal right to be compensated.
You don't need a solicitor. You don't need to go to court. You need the right letter, sent to the right person, in the right format. That's exactly what we give you.
Three steps. Most councils settle
without it ever going further.
Document Everything
Our checklist tells you exactly what evidence to gather — photos, repair receipts, witness details, and the pothole's exact location. Councils reject weak claims on technicalities. We show you how to build one they can't dismiss.
Send the Formal Letter
Our pre-written demand letter references the correct legislation, establishes council liability, and makes clear you know your rights. The tone is professional and firm. Councils respond to this differently than a casual complaint.
Collect Your Settlement
Many councils settle quickly to avoid legal costs. If they stall, our follow-up templates and Small Claims guide give you everything needed to escalate — without a solicitor.
What the Law Actually Says
Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, highway authorities have a duty to maintain roads. If a road is in a dangerous condition and the council had knowledge of it (or should have), they can be held liable for resulting damage. Councils attempt to use the Section 58 defence — claiming they had a system of inspection — but this can be challenged. Our guide shows you how.
Everything in the £35 pack
Formal Demand Letter
A professionally worded letter citing the correct legislation, establishing duty of care, and demanding reimbursement. Fill in 6 fields and it's ready to send.
Evidence Checklist
Councils reject claims that lack documentation. Our checklist ensures you've covered every angle — from photos to repair invoices to pothole dimensions.
Photography Guide
Know exactly what shots to take, how to show scale, and how to record GPS data. Proper documentation is often the difference between winning and losing.
Follow-Up Templates
If your initial letter is ignored or rejected, our escalation templates maintain legal pressure. Councils know what a prepared claimant looks like.
Small Claims Guide
If the council refuses to pay, Small Claims Court is straightforward for claims under £10,000. We walk you through the process step by step.
Council Finder & Addresses
Find the correct highway authority for any UK road — county council, unitary authority, or National Highways. Sending to the wrong body wastes weeks.
What drivers say
My alloy and tyre cost £380 to fix. I sent the letter, had one email exchange, and received a cheque six weeks later. Couldn't believe how straightforward it was.
I was fully expecting them to reject it, but the council responded within two weeks and offered a settlement. The letter clearly surprised them.
Went to Small Claims in the end — council tried the Section 58 defence but the guide had prepared me for exactly that. Judge found in my favour.
Suspension damage came to £740. The council initially denied liability citing their inspection records, but the follow-up letter changed that. Settled in full within 10 weeks.
Straight answers
The council took your money
when the road failed. Take it back.
Most repair claims run to £200–£800. For £35, you get every document, guide, and template you need to pursue yours — and keep every penny of the settlement.
Get the Claim Pack — £35Instant download · 6 Word documents · UK law, plain English