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1. My vehicle is damaged, what should I do?

Do not continue to drive if the vehicle is not operating properly.

2. Should I call my insurance company?

Yes. Notify your auto insurer as your policy may provide you coverage and the quickest way to have repairs made.

3. Should I contact the City?

Yes. Please contact the City so that crews can take steps to address the road hazard or pothole. You can either phone the City’s Engineering and Public Works 24 hour Customer Service line at 604-927-3500 or email Engineering. Please note that Customer Service email is only monitored during regular business hours.

4. Will the City pay for my damage?

The law in British Columbia does not make a municipality, including the City of Coquitlam, 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. The municipality must be negligent in its maintenance of roads for it 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).