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The objective of the Risk Management Division
is to protect the Municipality's assets, employees, volunteers
and citizens from loss, damage or injury through the promotion
of policies and procedures designed to prevent incidents
from occurring. As well, the Division attempts to effectively
reduce the effects of incidents which do occur through various
methods of loss reduction, risk transfer and risk financing.
The Division is responsible for recommending, selecting and purchasing all insurance necessary to sustain the Municipality's ability to deliver services to its taxpayers. The Municipality does not carry general liability insurance in the same way that a homeowner or business operator does. Rather it operates with large retentions (or deductibles) and therefore most losses are effectively self-insured.
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Contact
Information
Risk Manager
Scott Broughton, FRM
(250) 475-5455
Claims Analyst
Janice Andrews,
CIP
(250) 475-5494 local 3423
Secretary
Julie Watkins
(250) 475-5455
Sewer & Drain Enquiries
(250) 475-5597
Waterworks Enquiries
(250) 475-5481
Road Enquiries
(250) 475-5596
After Hours Emergency Calls
(250) 475-6190
(250) 475-6191
(250) 475-6192
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The Division is also responsible for the claims management
function for the Municipality. It investigates
and adjusts all claims filed by citizens or businesses
who allege that they have suffered damage or injury as
a result of a negligent act or omission by the Municipality
or its employees.
If a person feels that the Municipality is responsible
for any damage or injury sustained and wishes to make a
claim, they are required, under Section 286 of the Local
Government Act, to provide notice to the Municipality
in writing of the time, place and manner in which the damage
was sustained, within two months of the date the loss or
damage occurred. Once a claim is received, it is
then acknowledged, investigated and responded to with either
an acceptance or denial of liability. If a person
wishes to appeal a denial of their claim they may do so
through either the Small Claims Court or Supreme Court of
BC.
If you are unsure about how to file a claim, would like
a claim form mailed or faxed to you, or have filed a claim
and have questions about the investigation or status of
the claim, please call the Risk Management Division from
Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A claim form (14KB) is available in
PDF format. Please note that depending on the type
of claim, it may take several weeks for a determination to be made
about your claim. Please be patient.
Please note that the Municipality is not an insurer of
private property. The Municipality will not be held
responsible for your damages unless you can provide evidence
that the Municipality committed a negligent act or omission
which then caused the damages. Like most Canadian
Municipalities, the District of Saanich provides compensation
only when it is legally liable for the damage sustained. The intent is to provide an equitable policy for
the taxpaying public, who ultimately bear the cost of these
claims.
If you have insurance coverage, you are required to claim
on your insurance policy for the damages, and your Insurer
may then subrogate your claim to the Municipality.
SEWER & DRAIN BACKUPS
The most common causes of sewer and drain backups:
- Putting items down your drain that should be put into
your garbage
- Invasive tree roots
- Pipe problems
- Storms
- Vandalism
It is the Homeowner's responsibility to determine where
a blockage in the system is located, regardless if it is
on private or public property. If you are experiencing
a backup, a plumber should be called to determine the location
of the blockage. If it is determined that the blockage
is on Municipal property, the Public Works Department should
then immediately be contacted and the plumber should stay
on site.
WATERMAIN BREAKS 
Water mains run underneath the roadway and supply fresh
water to the private services connected to it. The
private service brings water from the water main to your
building, and is the owner's responsibility.
If there is water gushing out of the street, a water main
or water pipe has probably broken on the street. Please contact the Public Works Department immediately.
If there is a water leak at the meter box, please call
Public Works, who will then attend and advise whether the
leak is on public or private property.
HOMEOWNER
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Homeowner is responsible to take the first steps to
minimize any damage to personal property (i.e. remove undamaged
items from the area to prevent damages).
Notify your Homeowner or Rental Insurance Agent of the
damage as soon as possible to determine if your policy provides
coverage for the damage.
Take immediate steps, through your own resources or those
of your Insurer, to remove excess water or sewage ASAP. Sewage presents special health considerations so
you may need professional assistance. Damage restoration
firms are listed in the phone directory.
Common sense will dictate most other actions. Remember
that electricity and water can prove fatal BE CAREFUL
POTHOLES & ROAD HAZARDS
If you have damaged your vehicle because of a pothole:
- See a licensed motor vehicle mechanic.
- Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating
properly.
- Note the exact location of the pothole and report it
to the Municipal Roads Department so that they can take
steps to fix the road.
You may wish to contact your insurance provider as there
may be coverage for this type of loss.
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