The Basics of Virginia Municipal Liability Insurance

In a recent post, we discussed what occurs when a city goes bankrupt, and the role that Virginia Municipal Liability insurance plays in protecting your city financially. Virginia municipal liability covers the rights and responsibilities of municipalities; including cities, states, towns, or counties. According Virginia municipal liability laws; city, town, and state officials and workers are responsible for ensuring that residents and visitors are kept safe while using public property. This includes:

• Streets
• Highways
• Sidewalks
• Public transit
• Public parks
• Community swimming pools
• Government buildings
• Schools

Because it is the exclusive responsibility of the municipality to keep roadways safe, some automobile accidents can fall under Virginia municipal liability. Potholes, inadequate guard rails, fallen trees and defective traffic signals could all be the cause of such accidents, and the victims have the grounds to make a Virginia municipal liability claim.

Another case where a victim could have a claim is if they were injured due to unnecessary use of force by police. Also, if a victim is in the care of government-operated paramedics or EMS and receive further injuries during that time, they may be in a position to pursue a Virginia municipal liability case.

Although municipal liability laws vary by state, and there are strict deadlines for filing claims against municipalities and government agencies, victims or alleged victims typically have 90 days file a municipal liability claim. It’s important to be aware of the Municipal Codes and laws for your area and also have risk management strategies in place.

At Professional Governmental Underwriters, Inc., we know that all public entities and municipalities are not created equal. Different needs and circumstances require different answers. Therefore, when we provide you with a Virginia Municipal Liability Insurance coverage strategy, it is for your specific situation. Please Contact Us today to learn more about our products and services.