Study Shows Boise Pays More Than $100,000 to Settle Damage Claims

The city of Boise paid out more than $100,000 last fiscal year to settle damage claims against its employees, but insurance experts say that’s not all bad.

The Idaho Statesman studied just over 130 claims filed against the city in the 2006-2007 fiscal year and found 41 claims still open. The city is self-insured for claims up to $400,000, so insurance experts say the $101,000 paid out is appropriate.

Most of the claims were for property damage by city vehicles, or police dog bites, even falling on a downtown sidewalk.

Rick Ferguson, executive director of Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, says the number of claims is very low for a city of Boise’s size.

Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com