More than $500,000 was handed out to drivers whose vehicles were damaged by potholes in 2025, a steep drop from just two years prior, according to the latest data.
Last year, the city said it received 2,272 claims and paid 709, with an average amount of $726 totaling $514,734. An undisclosed number of remaining claims are still under investigation, a spokesperson noted in an email to CP24.
In 2024, the municipality received 1,151 claims and 564 were paid out, with an average amount of $679.
This is in stark contest to 2023, where 4,128 claims were received and 2,339 were paid out to the tune of $703 each. That amounts to a whopping $1,644,317, compared to $382,956 the previous year.
A city spokesperson said the number of claims received varies year to year “based on weather conditions, including the severity of winter.”
“Due to higher-than-normal claim volumes following recent winter conditions, processing timelines may exceed the City’s typical 90-day service standard,” they wrote.
This data, which is made available annually through the City of Toronto’s Claims Disclosure Report, was released in February and is available online.
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How to submit a claim?
Residents seeking compensation for pothole-related vehicle damage must follow a formal process, which includes submitting a claim within 10 days of an incident using the Claim Submission Web Form.
These claims, which can reach a maximum of $2,000, are reviewed by the city’s insurance adjusters, who assess if the municipality met the Ontario’s Minimum Maintenance Standards for road repair. If those standards were attained, it is not liable for damages and the claim is denied. Most claims are denied on this basis.
In 2023, the city denied 1,714 claims, the year after that 456 were rejected, while in 2025 787 were turned down.
“Repairs to your vehicle can be expedited by making a claim through your automobile insurance company,” officials previously told CTV News Toronto.
If you’ve already filed a claim, but have not received a response, drivers can fill out a separate form to request a status update from a city official.
More information on how to submit a claim for pothole repair reimbursement is available at online.
People can report potholes to 311 by phone, online at www.toronto.ca/311 or through the 311 mobile app. It should be noted that reporting a pothole does not constitute filing a claim.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Jermaine Wilson
