NORTHERN IRELAND VEHICLE DAMAGE CLAIMS
Pothole Damage Compensation Claims NI
Damaged your tyre, alloy wheel, suspension or another vehicle component on a Northern Ireland road? Find out how to prepare a claim against the responsible authority, what evidence you need, and what happens if your claim is rejected.
Compensation is not automatic. DfI assesses responsibility and legal liability in each case.
Get the claim form Rejected claim help Build your claim letterHow to make a pothole damage claim
- Identify the road. Record the town, road name, direction of travel and exact pothole location.
- Report the pothole. Keep the DfI defect reference number, if provided.
- Photograph the evidence. Photograph the damage and, where safe, the pothole and identifying landmarks.
- Obtain repair documentation. Keep garage diagnoses, quotations, invoices and receipts.
- Preserve damaged parts. Keep damaged tyres, wheels or other components where reasonably possible.
- Prepare vehicle documents. Gather the required vehicle registration, road tax, MOT and insurance details.
- Complete the DfI form. Submit the completed vehicle damage claim form and supporting evidence to the Claims Unit.
- Wait for the decision. DfI investigates the circumstances and whether compensation is payable.
Never enter a live carriageway or put yourself in danger to photograph a pothole.
Download the Northern Ireland pothole claim form
The Department for Infrastructure provides a vehicle damage compensation claim form.
Download vehicle damage claim form (PDF)Where to send your completed form
Email: claimsunit@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 7810
Postal address: DfI Roads Claims Unit, James House, 2–4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JA.
Keep copies of everything you send, along with your claim reference and correspondence.
Evidence checklist
- Incident date and time
- Exact road and defect location
- Pothole-report reference, if available
- Photographs of the vehicle damage
- Safe photographs of the defect
- Garage findings and repair costs
- Vehicle registration and relevant documents
- Insurance information
- Witness details, if applicable
- Damaged parts retained where possible
What costs can be claimed?
Depending on the circumstances and proven liability, a claim may concern damage to:
- Tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Suspension components
- Steering components
- Other directly affected vehicle parts
Keep evidence of reasonable costs. An expensive repair does not automatically establish liability or guarantee reimbursement.
How long does a pothole compensation claim take?
DfI has published an average decision period of approximately four months for vehicle-damage claims. This is not a guaranteed deadline.
Additional investigations, missing documents or questions about the responsible authority may cause delays.
Will DfI definitely compensate me?
No. DfI considers its inspection and maintenance responsibilities, the road's condition, previous reports and other relevant evidence. A damaged vehicle alone does not establish negligence.
How to challenge a rejected pothole claim
- Read DfI's decision letter and identify why the claim was rejected.
- Contact the Claims Unit with your original reference number.
- Request an internal review of the liability decision.
- Explain what part of the decision you dispute.
- Provide new relevant evidence supporting reconsideration.
- Keep copies of all communications and any revised decision.
What if the review is unsuccessful?
You may wish to seek independent legal advice about challenging a liability decision through the courts. Legal time limits may apply.
What about poor service or delays?
A complaint about the handling of your claim is different from a review of liability. Raise service complaints with DfI's Claims Unit using its complaints process.
Northern Ireland pothole claim success rate
A reliable current percentage of pothole-related vehicle-damage claims accepted has not yet been established for publication on PureCar.
Without verified totals for submitted and successful claims over the same reporting period, publishing a success percentage would be misleading.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim for a damaged alloy wheel?
Yes. Include evidence of the damage and reasonable repair or replacement costs. Compensation remains subject to liability.
Can I claim for a punctured tyre?
Tyre damage may be included. Keep photographs, invoices and the damaged tyre where possible.
Does reporting a pothole start a compensation claim?
No. Reporting the road defect and claiming for vehicle damage are separate processes.
What if the pothole has already been repaired?
You can still submit the evidence you possess. The repair does not automatically prove liability.
Do I need a solicitor?
You can submit a claim yourself. Legal advice may be useful if liability is disputed or the claim is particularly complex.
What if another company was responsible?
DfI may identify another responsible party, such as a utility company. You may then need to pursue the appropriate organisation.
Can I recover costs already paid by insurance?
You must disclose relevant insurance payments and claims. You cannot receive compensation twice for the same loss.
