A snowplow hit my mailbox. Who pays?
Updated November 2026
What to do when a snowplow knocks down your mailbox: who pays, the plow-contact rule, typical $25 to $100 caps, claim deadlines and USPS mailbox rules.
Plows hit mailboxes every winter because mailboxes sit right at the edge of the road. Whether you get any money back depends on who plowed your street and what their written policy says. There is rarely a legal duty to pay, so the policy is all you have.
The plow-contact rule
Most policies split damage into two kinds. If the plow blade or truck physically hit the mailbox, the city usually pays something. If the heavy wave of snow coming off the plow knocked it down, most cities pay nothing, because a sound mailbox is expected to stand up to it.
| Place | Covers thrown snow? | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, MA | No | Up to $300 |
| Itasca, IL | Yes | Up to $100 |
| East Grand Rapids, MI | Yes | $40 box plus $40 post |
| Madison, WI | No | Up to $75 |
| New Berlin, WI | Yes | $50 |
| Nichols, NY | No | $25 |
See every city, village and town we track.
What to do right away
- Take photos of the mailbox, the post and the plow marks before you move anything.
- Find out who plowed the road. A city street, a county road and a state highway each have a different agency.
- Report it fast. Some places want a call within 24 hours of the storm, others close claims in the spring.
- Ask whether the city repairs the box itself or pays you back. Keep every receipt if you replace it yourself.
- Put up a temporary box so delivery does not stop.
Why your mailbox placement matters
Many policies only pay if the mailbox met U.S. Postal Service guidance. USPS generally asks for the bottom of the box to sit 41 to 45 inches above the road and the front to sit 6 to 8 inches back from the curb or road edge. Your local postmaster can confirm what applies on your route. Boxes set too close to the road get hit more often and are more likely to be refused.
Decorative and masonry mailboxes
Brick, stone and custom mailboxes are usually paid only up to the value of a standard box and post, if at all. Some cities warn that a heavy, rigid support can be a hazard and point owners to breakaway posts instead. Owatonna, MN, for example, replaces damaged supports with a breakaway type.
If the city says no
A denial under a voluntary policy is usually final. For a large loss, some places let you file a formal claim against the city or its insurer, but those claims take longer and often still require proof that the plow made contact. Your homeowners insurance may cover the mailbox, though the deductible is often higher than the cost.
Frequently asked questions
Does the city have to pay if a snowplow knocks down my mailbox?
Usually not by law. Mailboxes sit in the public right-of-way, so most cities pay only under a voluntary policy, and most of those pay only when the plow itself hits the box.
What if the snow from the plow knocked it over?
Most policies exclude damage from thrown or pushed snow. A few, such as New Berlin, WI, Itasca, IL, East Grand Rapids, MI and Jackson, MN, cover plowed snow too.
How much will the city pay?
Most caps fall between $25 and $100. Norfolk, MA is one of the highest at up to $300. Many places pay only the cost of a standard box and post.
Who do I call if it was a state or county road?
Call the agency that plowed the road. State highways and county roads are plowed by the state transportation department or county road agency, not the city.
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