1) Stop safely and secure the scene.

Turn on your hazard lights, pull over to a safe spot, put on a reflective vest, and place the warning triangle. If it happened on a high-speed road or in poor visibility, prioritize safety—if the car is still controllable, move carefully to a safer area (e.g., a lay-by or exit) before doing anything else.

2) Document immediately—this is the foundation of compensation.

Take photos/videos of the pothole from multiple angles, ideally showing its depth (use a tape measure, your shoe, keys—anything for scale). Also photograph the surroundings so the location is unmistakable (street sign, house number, kilometer marker, recognizable building). Note the exact time, your direction of travel, which lane, and—if possible—GPS coordinates (e.g., from your phone’s map pin).

3) Photograph the damage on the vehicle before you repair anything.

Take close-ups and wide shots of the damaged tire and rim, and if you suspect more damage, also the underside/suspension area. If the rim is cracked or severely bent and the wheel is wobbling or losing air, don’t take risks—this can be dangerous.

4) Get a witness—and a police report if it makes sense.

If a passenger or bystander saw what happened, ask for their name and phone number, and if possible a short written statement (take a photo of it). For major damage, a hazardous road defect, or situations where liability may be disputed, a police report can significantly strengthen your case. Call them this will ensure your claim case!

5) Solve the roadside problem without damaging your evidence.

For a flat, use a spare or roadside assistance; for a cracked or heavily bent rim, call assistance/towing. Keep the damaged tire/rim and don’t throw anything away—an assessor may want to inspect the parts.

6) Collect paperwork before and after repair: quote, invoice, work order.

Get an itemized quote or invoice (tire, rim repair/replacement, balancing, wheel alignment, any other work). The more detailed it is, the better—it’s what proves the amount and nature of the loss.

7) File the claim quickly with the road operator—official links here.

For national roads in Hungary, the primary channel is Magyar Közút (Hungarian Public Roads):

• Damage/compensation claim: https://internet.kozut.hu/ugyfelszolgalat/karigeny-bejelentes/

• Pre-check / identify the road operator: https://internet.kozut.hu/ugyfelszolgalat/karigeny-bejelentes-eloszuro/

In Budapest, many roads are handled by Budapest Közút:

• Claims handling: https://www.budapestkozut.hu/ut-hid-mutargy-igazgatosag/ugyfelszolgalat/karrendezes/

  If the pothole is on a municipally managed road (local/borough road), the responsible party is typically the local municipality—the Magyar Közút pre-check above can help you avoid submitting to the wrong organization.

8) Submit a “complete package” so it’s harder to reject.

Most claim processes require: the completed claim form, vehicle/owner details, your location-and-damage photos (pothole + surroundings + vehicle damage), witness details (if any), police documentation (if any), and the itemized repair invoice/quote. Your goal is to clearly connect the pothole to the damage (time–place–cause).

9) If they ask for an inspection, cooperate—and keep evidence until the end.

They may request an expert assessment or to see the damaged parts. Don’t dispose of anything early, and keep all documents together (photos with timestamps, invoices, witness info).

10) If they deny the claim, ask for a detailed justification and resubmit with stronger proof.

Many denials happen because the location can’t be verified, the pothole wasn’t properly documented, or there’s no invoice-based proof of costs. Ask for the denial reason in writing, fill gaps (witness, exact location, more detailed invoice), and consider escalation or legal action if the damage is substantial.

11) Call assistance and they will help you in trouble and fix your tire. Here is a link with multiple cover options.