Submitting a Claim to the City of St. Catharines

Please note: With City Hall currently closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic claim forms can not currently be submitted in person.

When submitting a claim, individuals are required to submit claims in writing by completing the attached Claim Form as soon as possible after the incident to ensure that a claim is not invalidated by a limitation period or other deadline, which can occur as early as 10 days from the incident.

Claimants are also asked to provide complete and precise details of the circumstances of the claim, as well as copies of all documentation that supports the claim, as this will reduce possible delays in seeking additional or clarifying information.

A complete review of a standard claim typically takes approximately 6-8 weeks. However, each individual claim varies, so we would ask for your patience in that regard.

Please note: This information is intended to provide claimants with an overview of the claims submission process and should not be considered as legal advice. Claimants requiring legal advice should consult their own advisors. 

How to Submit a Claim 
 

Signed Claim Forms can be submitted online, by mail or in person.

Online

Complete our online claim form

By mail

  1. Download our claim form
  2. Complete the form
  3. Mail the form to:        
    City of St. Catharines
    P.O. Box 3012
    St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2
    Attention: Legal Services

In person

  1. Download our claim form
  2. Complete the form 
  3. Bring the form to:          
    City of St. Catharines
    Legal and Clerks Services Department
    50 Church Street - 3rd Floor
    St. Catharines, Ontario

Please note: the City cannot accept claims by telephone, email, or fax. 

Vehicle Damage Claims, Property Damage Claims and Claims for Bodily Injury 

Vehicle Damage Claims

Any claim involving a licensed motor vehicle must be reported to the vehicle owner's insurance provider under Ontario automobile insurance regulations, regardless of fault. If you have an accident involving your vehicle, please report it to your insurance provider immediately. Your vehicle insurer will then determine if it feels the City (or any other party) is responsible in any way for the accident and will contact the City or the at-fault party directly, on your behalf.

Property Damage Claims

If you suffer loss or damage to your own property, you should immediately report it to your property insurance provider. Your property insurer will then determine if it feels the City (or any other party) is responsible in any way for the loss or damage and will contact the City or the at-fault party directly, on your behalf.

Claims for Bodily Injury

If you suffer an injury that you believe to be the fault of the City, you must report the incident to the City immediately. The City's insurance policy may not respond to claims brought forward after the limitations period has expired. This period will differ depending on the claim details.  

What to Include in Your Claim
 

Your claim must contain the following information:

  • Your name;
  • Your address;
  • Phone number(s) where you can be reached;
  • Email address, if available;
  • A detailed description of what happened, outlining:
    • The specific damage;
    • The name(s) of registered owner(s) of the vehicles / properties involved
    • The date, time and exact location of the incident;
    • Witnesses' names and addresses;
    • Details of any construction in the vicinity of the loss;
    • Any other information that may assist in the review of your claim;
  • A detailed description of the damages or losses you are claiming together with copies of all repair invoices, estimates, receipts (when available) or other supporting documentation;
  • You must date and sign the Claim Form.

Things to Consider When Submitting a Claim
  1. Whether you have insurance coverage that might respond to the claim as this may be the most suitable way to recover your costs.
  2. The City is not obliged to compensate for any losses or damages for which it is not legally liable. Also, the City expects that the claimant will provide substantiation for the claim to the satisfaction of the City. This approach attempts to reduce the number of unsubstantiated and frivolous claims which, in turn, reduces costs for the taxpaying public, who ultimately bear the cost of these claims.
  3. You will be given an opportunity to upload support files (e.g. photos, videos) as part of your claim. However, the online claim form is limited to combined file sizes of 10mb or less. Files over 10mb will need to be submitted using the City's dropbox. Details and steps for submitting files are included as part of the online claim form.

What Happens After you Submit a Claim
When your claim is received, you will be sent a letter acknowledging receipt of your claim, at which time your claim will be forwarded to the City's insurance adjuster and the relevant department for review and response, which as mentioned, typically takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

 

If you require any further information with respect to submitting a claim, please contact Citizens First at 905.688.5600.
Copyright © 2014 The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines