Snowplow hit your mailbox in Nichols, NY? What the city pays

New York · Last checked November 2026

Key facts

Payout

$25.

Covered

Direct hits by a town plow.

How it works

Mailboxes sit in the public right-of-way, so plows hit them every winter. Most cities pay only when the plow blade or truck touches the mailbox, not when the weight of thrown snow knocks it over, and most cap the payout at $40 to $100.

1. Take photos of the damage and the plow path before you clear anything.
2. Report it quickly. Some places want a call within 24 hours, others set a spring deadline.
3. Check that your mailbox met USPS height and setback rules, since many policies require it.
4. Keep receipts for the new box and post if you replace it yourself.
5. Put up a temporary box so mail delivery does not stop.

What it costs

City payouts usually run $40 to $100, with a few higher. A standard post and box from a store often costs more than the cap, and a custom or masonry mailbox is usually only covered up to the standard amount.

Full guide: what to do when a snowplow hits your mailbox.

More in New York and nearby

• Newburgh Reimbursement available
• Canal Winchester Only if the plow hits it
• Perry Reimbursement available
• Caernarvon Township Only if the plow hits it
• West Milford Only if the plow hits it
• Chesterfield Township Reimbursement available