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'Pothole epidemic' costs UK insurers £4.2M in first 4 months of 2018

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'Pothole epidemic' costs UK insurers £4.2M in first 4 months of 2018

The rise in the number of potholes in the U.K., dubbed a "pothole epidemic," has cost insurers £4.2 million in claims since the start of 2018, the Financial Times reported May 10, citing breakdown assistance provider AA PLC.

Between January and April, there were about 4,200 pothole-related claims, up 171% from the same period in 2017, the report said, adding that the number of pothole-related callouts to AA patrols had also doubled in the same period. An average claim amounts to £1,000, it noted.

Janet Connor, AA's director of insurance, reportedly said the company had seen "a growing number of pothole claims described as 'car severely damaged and undrivable,' which didn't happen at all last year.

The number of potholes has risen in the wake of freezing temperatures and snow in February and March, the FT noted, adding that the rise in claims comes as car insurance prices are falling.