Claims

Making a Claim with the City

If you believe your property has been damaged because of work done by the City of Maple Ridge and you wish to make a claim against the City, you may do so by providing written notice via the City of Maple Ridge Notice of Claim Form.

Your written notice should include the following information:

  • your name, home address, email address and telephone numbers where you can be reached during the day;
  • what was damaged;
  • how the damage occurred;
  • where the damage occurred, being as specific as possible;
  • the date and time of the incident; and
  • name(s) of anyone else involved, including contractors, equipment operators, etc. and their contact information if available.

Any photographs you take may be included with your letter, or provided at a later date. Please include all original invoices and bills of sale, and retain damaged property for possible future inspection.

Please note that your right to make a claim against the City is time limited and you must provide written notice of a claim within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1).

The online Notice of Claim form can be completed and submitted directly to the Clerk’s Department.

Alternatively, a PDF version for printing at home and submitting to the City.

Lastly, a paper copy is available for your pick up at City Hall Main Reception during regular business hours.

Hard copy Notice of Claim forms may be submitted by mail or fax to the Clerk's Department.

Notice-of-Claim

Claims Process

You will receive acknowledgement of your claim submission either through email or a written document. From there, the City will conduct an investigation into the claim. Once all the information generated by the investigation has been processed, a decision regarding compensation will be made. You will be advised of this decision as soon as possible. Please note that it may take several weeks to conduct a thorough investigation. Payment of a claim will always be dependent on legal liability on the part of the City. For more information, please see Types of Losses below.

Claims Settlement

A submission of a claim does not constitute acceptance of liability on the part of the City. Payment of a claim will require that the City be found legally liable for the damages that you have incurred. Claims will be investigated, without prejudice, based on the facts as they present themselves and under standard legal practices and principles. Please also note that the City will not pay claims based on estimates or anticipated costs. In the event that the City is legally responsible for damages that you may have incurred, the City will require paid invoices be submitted before any payment for damages will be made.

The City is committed to settlements that are fair and reasonable and within standard industry and legal practice. You can expect to be treated in a respectful and professional manner, and City staff should expect the same in return. 

Although you may not always get the answer you desire, the City will provide the basis for its position and do its best to explain the rationale behind the decisions it makes regarding claims.

Appeals Process

Should you wish to appeal a decision that the City has made concerning your claim, you may do so through the Provincial Court of B.C or Supreme Court of B.C. The Mayor and/or Council do not entertain appeals on claims-related matters. 

Filing a Claim with Your Insurance Provider

Notify your insurance company of the damage. Your insurance policy may provide coverage for your damage, and this may be the quickest way to recover costs and have the repairs done. Your insurance company can then pursue any party they believe to be responsible for the damage.

 Types of Losses


 Construction Projects

  • What should I do if I suffered injury or property damage as a result of construction being undertaken by the City? Write down the details of when and how the damage occurred as well as who was doing the construction work. The City requires that all contractors carry insurance.
  • Should I call my insurance company? Yes. Your insurance policy may provide coverage for your damages and your insurer may take steps to pursue recovery from parties it believes to be responsible.
  • Should I contact the City? If you intend to make a claim for compensation against the City, you need to notify us in writing. Your right to make a claim is time limited as you must provide written notice within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1).

 For information regarding the City’s current Road and Construction Projects, please see the City’s Alert Centre for more detailed information. 



Potholes and Road Hazards

  • My vehicle is damaged, what should I do? Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating properly.
  • Should I call my insurance company? Yes. Notify your auto insurer as your policy may provide you with coverage and it may be the quickest way to have repairs to your vehicle made.
  • Should I contact the City? Yes. Please contact the City so that crews can take steps to address the road hazard or pothole. These can be reported to the City’s Operations Department’s 24 hour Dispatch Line at 604-463-9581. Alternatively, you can send an email to the Operations Centre. Please note that the Operations Centre email is only monitored during regular business hours. Please call the Dispatch Line if you have an emergency.
  • Will the City pay for my damage? The law in British Columbia does not hold a municipality, including the City of Maple Ridge, legally responsible to ensure that its roads are always free of defects or hazards, such as potholes. Section 744 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1 provides that a municipality is not legally liable for damages that arise from a breakdown in a road. For it to be deemed liable for any damages, the municipality must be negligent in its maintenance of roads. The City cannot entertain claims for compensation in a case where there is an absence of negligence. Additionally, your right to make a claim against a municipality is time limited and you must provide written notice of a claim within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1). 

Please visit our Road and & Sidewalk Repairs section for more information and reporting instructions for street maintenance issues including road hazards and potholes.



Sewer Back Up

  • How should I deal with a sewer back-up? For your own safety, be aware of electrical hazards. If possible, move your property or home contents to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property for possible future inspection. If the service is plugged, the homeowner will often require the services of a plumbing professional to clear the system.
  • Should I call my insurance company? Yes. Insurance policies typically carry sewer back-up coverage and this may be the quickest way to get repairs made. Please refer to your homeowner’s insurance policy or contact your insurance broker and/or home insurer.
  • Should I contact the City? Please be aware that property owners are responsible for all sanitary, sewer and drainage pipes located on their side of the property line. If it is determined that the source of the sewer back-up is located outside of your property and is on the City’s side, please contact the City so that staff can be dispatched to investigate. Sewer back-ups can be reported to the City's Operations Department's 24 hour Dispatch Line at 604-463-9581. Alternately, you can send an email to the Operations Centre. Please note, the Operations Centre email is monitored only during regular business hours. Please call the Dispatch Line if you have an emergency.
  • Will the City pay for my damage? The law in British Columbia does not hold a municipality, including the City of Maple Ridge, legally responsible to ensure that its sewer systems never experience a breakdown or malfunction. Section 744 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1 provides that a municipality is not legally liable for damages that arise from a breakdown or malfunction of a sewer system. The municipality must be negligent in its maintenance of the system to be liable. The City cannot entertain claims for compensation in a case where there is an absence of negligence. Additionally, your right to make a claim against a municipality is time limited and you must provide written notice of a claim within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1).

 Please visit our Sanitary & Storm Sewers section for more information and reporting instructions for sanitary or storm related issues.



 Water Main Breaks

  • How should I deal with a flood? If possible, move your property or home contents to prevent further damage. For your own safety, be aware of electrical hazards while moving. Keep the damaged property for inspection by your insurance company.
  • Should I call my insurance company? Yes. Insurance policies typically carry coverage for this type of loss and this may be the quickest way to have repairs made. Please refer to your homeowner’s insurance policy or contact your insurance broker and/or home insurer.
  • Should I contact the City? Please be aware that property owners are responsible for all the water pipes starting at the service valve near the property line. If you discover a water leak coming from City property, please contact the City so that staff can be dispatched to the area and shut off that section of the water main to stop further damage. Water main breaks can be reported to the City’s Operations Department’s 24 hour Dispatch Line at 604-463-9581. Alternatively, you can send an email to the Operations Centre. Please note, the Operations Centre email is only monitored during regular business hours. Please call the Dispatch Line if you have an emergency.
  • Will the City pay for my damage? The law in British Columbia does not hold a municipality, including the City of Maple Ridge, legally responsible to ensure that its water systems never experience a breakdown or malfunction. Section 744 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1 provides that a municipality is not legally liable for damages that arise from a breakdown or malfunction of a water system. The municipality must be negligent in its maintenance of the system to be liable. The City cannot entertain claims for compensation in a case where there is an absence of negligence. Additionally, your right to make a claim against a municipality is time limited and you must provide written notice of a claim within two months from the date of the incident (Section 736 of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c.1).

Please visit our Waterworks section for more information on the City’s waterworks programs and services, and contact information regarding broken water mains or water related problems.


 

For all other Claims inquiries, please contact the Clerk's Department at clerks@mapleridge.ca