Damaged mailboxes
If a City plow damaged your mailbox, we may reimburse you for the cost of repairing or replacing it, up to $75. We do not repair or replace damaged mailboxes or support posts.
Remember to save receipts for the repairs or replacement.
We will only reimburse you if the damaged mailbox meets both of the following criteria:
- A City operator damaged the mailbox while operating within the street gutter or curb line.
- The mailbox met USPS mailbox installation guidelines before it was damaged.
After you report your damaged mailbox, we will investigate and determine if both criteria are met. We'll contact you with the results of the inspection and how you’ll receive your reimbursement.
Mailboxes damaged by the weight of snow exiting the plow are not covered under this policy and no reimbursement will be offered.
Mailbox Installation
Visit the USPS mailbox installation guidelines for information about how to properly install and maintain your mailbox.
Please contact your local post office with any questions.
Maintenance
In the fall or summer, check your mailbox posts for any obvious signs of rot or decay so it can be replaced before winter hits.
Property owners are responsible for making sure their mailbox meets USPS requirements. If a contractor or previous owner installed one incorrectly, the current owner is still responsible.
Additional tips:
- Adding a newspaper box to the bottom or side of your mailbox increases the surface area of the mailbox, making it more likely to be hit by snow or the plow.
- During sub-freezing temperatures, plastic mailboxes and/or posts become brittle and will break or crack easily with very little force.
- Use correct building materials to hold the mailbox together. One common issue we see are mailbox assemblies with small nails or screws that aren’t strong enough withstand snowfalls.
