Claims

Submitting a Claim for Compensation

If you have incurred costs for which you believe the Town of BWG may be responsible, you must follow the process outlined below for the Town to consider your claim. In some situations, you are required to place the Town on notice within 10 days of the incident. The Municipal Act requires that the Town receives notification in writing. 

To ensure that your claim meets the notice requirement, please forward your written claim to Corporate Services within the 10-day period.

We suggest that in all cases of damage you contact your insurance company or broker. Depending on the type of property damaged, and the insurance policy you purchased, you may be eligible for greater compensation than you can legally recover from the Town or another party. If your insurer believes that the Town is responsible for your damage, they will seek compensation on your behalf as stipulated in your insurance policy.

Note that payment in respect of property damage or bodily injury is contingent upon the Town being found legally liable. When making a claim against the Town for road maintenance (e.g. pothole damages), it is important to note that the Town will not be held responsible for damage if it has met the Provincial Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highway, under the Municipal Act of Ontario, 2001. O.Reg 239/02. Any records that show the standards were met will result in a denied claim.

Under the Ontario Automobile Insurance Act, you are required to report automobile accidents to your own insurer. You are responsible to mitigate your damages and ensure your car is in proper repair for safe driving.

Upon receipt of your claim, the Town will commence an investigation based on the information you provide. The Town will not be held responsible for your costs unless you can provide evidence that the Town committed a negligent act or omission which resulted in injury or damage. Like most Canadian municipalities, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury only compensates when it is legally liable for the damage sustained. This approach helps to reduce costs for the taxpaying public - who ultimately bear the cost of these claims.

If a contractor was working in your area under a construction or capital projects agreement with the Town, your claim will be referred to them for investigation.