Insurance Claims

If you experience property damage, you should notify your insurance company of the loss. Failure to notify your insurer at the onset of the loss may affect your rights to recover costs under your insurance policy.

If you choose to make a claim against the City of Peterborough for property damage or personal injury, you must provide written notification as specified in the Municipal Act 2001.

In some situations, you are required to place the City of Peterborough on notice within 10 days of the incident. To ensure that your claim meets the notice requirement, please forward your claim within the 10 day period.

You can submit your claim using our online incident form or

By mail or in person at:

City Hall: City Clerk's Office – Claims

500 George Street North

Peterborough ON K9H 3R9

Or by fax 705-742-4138

Or by email – claims@peterborough.ca

Claims will be investigated without prejudice, based on facts, and under standard legal practices and principles.

The personal information collected to investigate your claim is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, C.25 and will be disclosed to staff and service providers who require the information to investigate your claim against the City of Peterborough. Questions about the collection of this personal information should be directed to the Insurance and Risk Coordinator, 705-742-7777 ext. 1652 or claims@peterborough.ca.

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

After a notice of claim is received, the City will contact you to acknowledge receipt of the claim. Claim investigation times will vary based on complexity and severity. Most investigations will be complete within 90 days.

Payment for your property damage or bodily injury depends on the City being found legally responsible because of a negligent act or omission which resulted in damage or injury.

In all cases of damage, you should contact your insurance company or broker. Your insurance policy may provide coverage for damage and this may be the quickest way to have the repairs done and recover costs. Your insurance company may pursue any party they believe to be responsible for the damage.

Property damaged by a City tree

Please contact Public Works at 705-745-1386 to report the damage. This number is answered 24/7.

Will the City pay for my damages?

Each claim will be examined individually. You will need to demonstrate that the City was negligent in some way. A branch falling from a City tree during a windstorm or weather event does not necessarily mean the City was negligent. If you choose to make a property damage claim, follow the procedure outlined in the Making a Claim section of this page.

Involved in an accident with a City vehicle?

The Province of Ontario is governed by the Direct Compensation Rules of the Insurance Act. Regardless of fault, all physical damage must be reported to, and paid for, by your own automobile insurer.

The Highway Traffic Act requires you to report the accident to the police if the combined damage exceeds $2,000 or if there are injuries. In addition, if you feel the other party violated a traffic code, resulting in the accident, you must report the accident regardless of damage.

Injured at a City owned facility, City street or sidewalk?

The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, places time restrictions on the reporting of accidents on roads and sidewalks including those involving slip, or trip, and fall. Such incidents must be reported to the City within ten (10) days of the occurrence in order to be considered. Follow the procedure outlined in the Making a Claim section of this page.

If you are injured within a City facility, immediately report the injury to City staff.

Property damaged as a result of City construction or development activity?

If you encounter damage to your property from a City construction or development project, write down the details of when and how the damage occurred; include the date, time and location. If possible, identify the company and equipment or event that caused the damage. Please refer to the information on preparing a notice of claim, as detailed under the Making a Claim section of this page.

Your insurance company may provide coverage for your damage then pursue any party they believe to be responsible for the damages. This may be the quickest way to have repairs made and recover costs.

If possible, document your damage with photographs, estimates, original invoices, and bills of sale. Keep any damaged property available for inspection.

If you wish to make a claim for property damage, follow the procedure outlined in the Making a Claim section of this page. Each claim will be examined individually and judged on its own merit. Contractors hired to do work on the City's behalf as well as developers are required to provide General Liability Insurance for the project. Claims associated with this work are the responsibility of the contractor or developer.

If it has been determined that a Third Party Contractor or Developer had control over the location at the time of the loss/damage, the City will notify you and provide the name and contact information of the Contractor or Developer so that you may pursue the claim directly with the responsible party.

The City cannot intervene in the claims handling process on your behalf.

If you have damaged City property, you must report the damage to claims@peterborough.ca Please ensure you include the date, location and description of the damage along with your contact information and the contact information of your insurer.

The City of Peterborough seeks recovery of costs from the individuals responsible for damage to City Property such as street lights, fences and signs.

If you encounter a water main break or a concern about your water delivery system, please contact the Peterborough Utilities Group at 705-748-9300.The water distribution system in the City of Peterborough is managed by the Peterborough Utilities Group.

The power distribution system serving the City of Peterborough is managed by Hydro One. Should a concern arise regarding electrical services, please contact Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235 or visit their website for additional information.

Visit the Hydro One website for more information on power outages and safety.