You can make a claim against us if you’ve incurred financial cost for an incident you believe falls under our responsibility. Learn how below.

On this page:

  1. Check your insurance policy
  2. Make a claim
  3. Claim process
  4. Compensation
  5. Fraudulent claims
  6. Damage to city property
  7. Potholes

Check your insurance policy

We strongly urge you to begin by contacting your insurance company or broker. Depending on the type of property damaged, as well as your insurance policy, you may be eligible for greater compensation than you could legally recover from us or another party.

If your insurer believes we are responsible for your damage, they will seek compensation on your behalf, as stipulated in your insurance policy.

Make a claim

If you choose to make a claim against us, we must receive notification in writing. In some situations, you must place us on notice within 10 days of the incident.

Your notice of claim must include:

  • name, mailing address, email address and telephone number of the person making the claim
  • contact name, mailing address, email address and telephone number of the person submitting the claim, if different from above
  • date, approximate time and exact location of the incident (address or closest intersection)
  • brief description of the incident
  • type of damage or injury
  • name of any contractor involved (if known)

Please send your claim to the Office of the City Clerk on the second floor of City Hall. You can also fax your claim to 519-741-2705.

Payment with respect to property damage or bodily injury is contingent upon the city being found legally liable for the incident.

Claim process

We will acknowledge your claim within one week of receiving the details. An investigation will then begin. We will let you know the outcome of the claim when all relevant facts are determined.

If you have questions about the claims process, please call us at 519-741-2961.

Compensation

We will only compensate when we are determined to be legally liable for the damage sustained. This approach helps to reduce financial burden for taxpayers, who bear the costs of these claims.

Fraudulent claims

Fraudulent claims cost taxpayers. We will prosecute all fraudulent claims to the full extent of the law.

Damage to city property

When a third party causes damage to city property, our risk management division seeks recovery of the related costs from the responsible party.

Potholes

Visit our potholes page to find:

  • pothole conditions
  • property damage and road conditions information