Damage claims filed against the City are processed by the Law Department. The Law Department maintains a log and documentation for vehicular accidents involving City vehicles and forwards to MOPERM for handling.

Instructions For Filing A Claim

1. Submitting A Claim

   In order to submit a claim, it is necessary that you complete the  Claim Form.
   

   NOTE: To view this document, you may need to
   download the Acrobat Reader

   
   Include:
   1. Description of incident (attach additional sheets, if necessary)
   2. Amount of your claim
   3. Provide receipts or estimates to support amounts as itemized on the claim form. Photographs of the damage may also be submitted, if available.
   
   
   
2. Send Your Completed Claim Form and Attached Receipts, Estimates and Photographs To:




City of Independence Law Department 111 East Maple Independence, Missouri 64050

Phone No: (816) 325-7218 Fax No: (816) 325-7219



3. Claims Processing Procedures

   Claims processing procedures are established by City ordinance and will take approximately six to eight weeks for claims less than $10,000. This length of time is required to allow the City department involved an opportunity to investigate the claim and prepare a report. The Law Department must then review the claim and make a recommendation to the City Manager who will determine what action is to be taken. If the claim exceeds $10,000, final approval for settlement must be given by the City Council. This may require another four weeks to permit two readings of the settlement ordinance.

   Claims for damages from accidents involving City motor vehicles are handled by the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund (MOPERM). You should receive some contact from that company within 2 weeks of submitting your completed claim form to us.

   The City handles investigation for most claims. This somewhat lengthy period of time for processing claims is a result of special procedures which must be followed when dealing with public funds.