Insurance Claims

If you believe that an accident or loss that you have suffered occurred as a direct result of the actions or negligence of East Herts Council and you wish to claim compensation, you should send a letter of claim.

Highways, Roads & Pavements

East Herts Council does not own or maintain the public highway, so if an incident occurred on a road or the adjacent pavement, please contact Hertfordshire County Council or visit the Highways, roads and pavements page on the Hertfordshire County Council website.

Make an Insurance Claim

If you believe that an accident or loss that you have suffered occurred as a direct result of the actions or negligence of East Herts Council and you wish to claim compensation, you should send a letter of claim to:

Insurance and Risk Business Advisor, East Herts Council, Council Offices, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ

A letter of claim should contain as much information as possible, but at the very least:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • A detailed description of the incident location (Photos and / or a plan can assist)
  • The incident date
  • The circumstances
  • The reason(s) why you hold the Council responsible
  • Details of the loss / damage / injury

You can expect an acknowledgement within 21 days, and a decision on liability within a further 90 days following an investigation.

Having made reasonable enquiries to establish responsibility for the location in question, Solicitors should register their claim through the claims portal.

For incidents occurring between 31st May 2016 and 30th May 2022 inclusive, the portal ID is D00019. Gallagher Bassett. Policy number Y111712QBE0119A.

For incidents occurring on or before 30th May 2016 the portal ID is C00108. Zurich Municipal, Policy number QLA 19H069 0103.

Please send a copy of the Claim Notification Form to the Council at the address above.

Please note that there is no automatic right to compensation, and it will be necessary for you to demonstrate that East Herts Council is liable, i.e. has acted negligently, and that you have suffered an injury or loss. Accidents do happen, and the Council cannot always be held responsible.

Although we will be fair and honest, and will treat claimants and Solicitors in the same manner, pursuing a liability claim can be complicated and occasionally protracted. You may wish to seek legal advice and consult a Solicitor (check fees and conditions beforehand) or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Council and its Insurer take fraud very seriously. We reserve the right to share information with other Local Authorities, Insurance Companies and certain other bodies, and will prosecute when fraud is detected.

Personal data provided to the Council by claimants will be retained within the Strategic Finance and Property Department on a database and potentially a paper file, and passed to insurance companies, Solicitors or loss adjusters as appropriate. Periodic reviews take place and data is not retained unnecessarily. Your data will not be used for any purpose other than handling of your claim, the prevention and detection of fraud, and checks for repeat claimants.

Reporting a hazard / defect

Please report any hazard or defect at the earliest opportunity so that the Council can inspect the area and if necessary make it safe as quickly as possible.

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