Over the past three financial years, the Department of Infrastructure has paid out £30,043.16 in successful pothole related compensation claims.
Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall confirmed that pothole‑related compensation claims have risen over the past three years, with 48 claims lodged in 2025/26 compared with 31 the previous year.
Answering questions from Jason Moorhouse MHK, the Minister said the department received 33 claims in 2023/24, 31 in 2024/25, and 48 in 2025/26, with four already submitted so far this financial year.
Successful claims cost the department £10,132 in 2023/24, £13,442 in 2024/25, and £6,467 in 2025/26.
Pothole Compensation
Minister Crookall stressed that under the Highways Act, the department is only liable if it had been made aware of a defect and failed to repair it in time.
Mr Moorhouse challenged this, citing a case where a pothole caused a road closure, police attendance and a vehicle recovery, yet the claim was rejected because the defect had not been previously reported.
Crookall said such cases were “exceptional” but reiterated: “If we’re not aware of something, then we can’t fix it.”
Onchan MHK Rob Callister asked how claims are assessed. Minister Crookall said they are passed to the department’s insurers, who determine liability.
The department admitted liability in 52% of claims in 2023/24, 65% in 2024/25 and 81% in 2025/26.
Asked how quickly damaged roads are repaired, Crookall said inspectors are sent out within “days, if not hours,” once a defect is reported.
The full exchange can be heard below:
