Claims

Step 1: Consider before making a claim

If you have auto or property insurance, we suggest you consult your insurance company or broker first, for advice on how to deal with your loss. Your insurance coverage may be more extensive than what you can recover from the Town.

The Town maintains its roadways in accordance with provincial guidelines. Hazards that are identified are repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible in accordance with those guidelines. Potholes, for example, are not an unusual hazard and motorists are expected to use caution and appropriate defensive driving skills when operating their vehicle.

If your insurer believes the Town is responsible for your damages they may seek compensation from the Town on your behalf.

Step 2: Make a claim

Property

If you have experienced damage to your property or incurred an injury and believe the Town may be responsible, please follow the process below to send your claim to the Town for consideration. In some situations, you are required to place the Town on notice within 10 business days of the incident. We recommend that you inform the Town as soon as possible.

The Municipal Act requires that the Town receives notification in writing. To ensure that your claim meets the notice requirement, please complete the Town's Claim/Incident form. Once submitted, users will be sent an auto reply email to confirm the Town has received their form.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please email the Risk and Insurance Advisor.

Note: Any compensation for property damage or bodily injury is contingent upon the Town being found legally liable.

Vehicles

If your vehicle is damaged while travelling through a road construction area and the construction is being performed as part of a Town project, your claim will be forwarded to the construction contractor for an investigation and response, as they are contractually required to do so.

To ensure that your claim meets the notice requirement, please complete the Town's Claim/Incident form. Once submitted, users will be sent an auto reply email to confirm the Town has received their form.

Note: You will be required to prove the contractor was negligent within the construction area in order to be considered for compensation.

Step 3: Document & protect against further damage

Property

We recommend that you document all damages. This includes:

• Making a list of all damaged items and property

• Recording the date, time and location the damage took place

• Taking photographs of the damage

• Ensuring your property is protected from further damage

Vehicles

If you damage your vehicle, you should:

• Contact a licensed motor vehicle mechanic

• Stop operating your vehicle if it isn’t working properly

• Contact your insurance provider

Step 4: Next steps

Once you submit your claim online, you will automatically receive an acknowledgement. The Town will then forward your claim to an independent insurance adjusting firm. Within three business days, a representative from the adjusting firm will contact you to conduct an investigation into the facts and circumstances of your incident and determine if the Town is legally liable for any damages. Once all relevant facts and information have been reviewed, you will be advised of the outcome of the investigation. Any compensation in respect of a claim is contingent upon there being a proven legal liability on the part of the Town. Please keep in mind that the time to investigate your claim is dependent on how complex your claim is.

Step 1: Consider before making a claim

The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides financial assistance to eligible producers whose livestock or poultry have been injured or killed by predatory wildlife in The Town of Halton Hills. This includes damage to bee colonies, beehives and bee-hive equipment by wildlife.

To be eligible to apply you may require:

• A Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN), which must be valid at the time the damage or kill occurred.

• A valid Premises Identification Number (PID) for the farm property where the damage or kill occurred.

• A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number or Social Insurance Number (SIN).

• A Beekeeper ID number registered under the Bees Act.

If you do not have one of these numbers and do not have the eligible exemption alternative, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) may request the missing required information.

Step 2: Make a claim

Livestock or Poultry Claims

Notify the Town by contacting the Town's Enforcement Services by email or by calling 905-873-2600 ext. 2330 within 48 hours of discovering the injury or death of your livestock or poultry due to eligible predatory wildlife. Once contacted, a municipal investigator will be sent to conduct a detailed investigation.

Bee Colony, Beehive or Bee-Hive Related Equipment Claims

Notify The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) by calling 1-877-424-1300 or contact an OMAFRA bee investigator directly within two business days of discovering damage to your beehive, bee colony or bee-hive related equipment due to eligible predatory wildlife. 

Step 3: Document & protect against further damage

It’s recommended that you document all damages.

This includes:

• Preserving the kill/ injury site and carcass(es) until the municipal investigator has arrived.

• Taking photographs to show that a predator attacked your livestock or poultry including photos of the injuries/wounds sustained and kill/injury site.

• Prepare relevant documentation for additional evidence such as purebred documentation, breeding records, pregnancy scanning reports and veterinary reports/invoices related to the attack.

• Ensure you have implemented reasonable care measures and predation prevention practices.

Step 4: Next steps

The municipal investigator will submit your claim to the municipal clerk within seven (7) business days of conducting the investigation to be forwarded to OMAFRA. Within 30 business days of a complete application submission, a decision letter will be sent from OMAFRA notifying you of your application assessment results including any compensation value assigned.

Report a Farm Animal at Large 

Please contact Omega Canine Control Services at 905-877-6235 if you see a domestic farm animal at large or trespassing. Domestic farm animals are not permitted to run at large or trespass on any highway, public or private land in Halton Hills.

The person or corporation that owns or is in control of the domestic farm animal may be responsible for any impound fees or damage to property.

Step 1: Consider before making a claim

Sewer and water damage can be costly. Learn how to respond to a water or sewer backup, find out how to reduce the damage to your property and file a claim.

Common Causes of Water & Sewer Backups

• A plug in a line

• A line that requires maintenance

• Heavy rain and flooding

• A blockage in the main sanitary sewer

Report Sewer & Water Backups

Contact Halton Region to report a sewer or water backup. If there is any chance of electrical circuits causing a hazard, you should also contact Halton Hills Hyrdo.

Step 2: Make a Claim

If there is serious damage because of water and sewer damage, you should contact your insurance provider immediately. 

If there is serious damage because of water and sewer damage, you should contact your insurance provider immediately. We also recommend that you:

• Make a list of all property that was damaged using our inventory sheet

• Take photographs to document the water spread and damage to your property

• Make attempts to reduce the amount of damage to your property

Step 3: Document & protect against further damage

Minimize Damage

• Remove items of value that are in, or near, the source of the water

• Roll back or remove rugs close to the source of water

• Use old rags or wet vacuums to eliminate excess water

• Reduce dampness and dry the area using fans or dehumidifiers

• Open windows to circulate air

Leaking Water Meter

• Turn off the valve in front of the meter

• Place rags or pails under the meter to catch the drips

Clean-Up Safely

Cleaning up is a messy and unpleasant job. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself while cleaning:

• Wear protective clothing such as gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a face mask

• Stay clear of electrical equipment

• If possible, shut off the electrical power

• Scrub affected furniture with antibacterial soap and water or steam clean

• Clean and deodorize carpets or have them professionally cleaned

• Disinfect the walls and floors using a chlorine bleach and water solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water)

• Throw out canned goods and other food that may have been damaged by flood water

Step 4: Next steps 

Basement flood prevention subsidy

The Halton Region Basement Flood Prevention Subsidy provides funding to residents who want to fix improper storm water connections and install a backwater valve.

How do I report road hazards I see?

During business hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), call the Town of Halton Hills, Public Works department at 905-873-2600  extension 2603. On nights and weekends, call 905-873-2600 or complete the citizen inquiry form.

My vehicle was damaged by a pothole, what should I do?

See a licensed motor vehicle mechanic. Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating properly.

Refer to the Property & Injury Claims information listed above on this page and follow the steps.

• Step 1: Consider before making a claim

• Step 2: Make a claim

• Step 3: Document & protect against further damage

• Step 4: Next steps

I think my vehicle damage is the Town's fault, 

what should I do?

If your insurance company pays for your vehicle repairs, it can attempt to recover money from anyone whom they feel was responsible for the damages. Typically, insurers try to recover the amount of the claim that they paid as well as your deductible. If you want to claim directly against the Town, you must complete and submit the online Claim/Incident form. Based on the findings of the investigation, compensation will be provided only if the Town is found to be legally liable for the property damage.

My vehicle was damaged on a new road or by road construction,

what should I do?

See a licensed motor vehicle mechanic. Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating properly.

Refer to the Property & Injury Claims information listed above on this page and follow the steps.

• Step 1: Consider before making a claim

• Step 2: Make a claim

• Step 3: Document & protect against further damage

• Step 4: Next steps

If you incurred damages as a result of a construction project, the contractor will have a contract with the Town that contains an indemnity clause that would extend to all claims, loss, costs and damages in connection with this contract by the successful bidder. This means that the contractor must look after the claims against the Town for damage they allegedly caused. To assist in processing your claim, the Town will identify the contractor as well as forward your claim to the contractor on your behalf. If the loss has occurred in a subdivision not yet assumed by the Town where the developer is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the area, the Town will identify the developer and forward your claim to the developer on your behalf.