A snow plow knocked down my mailbox. Who pays in Macomb County?

Who pays when a plow knocks down a mailbox?

Two questions decide it: who plows the road in front of your house, and whether the plow touched the mailbox or the snow coming off the blade knocked it over. Road agencies treat those very differently. If you are not sure who plows your road, start with who plows which roads in Macomb County.

Policies as each agency published them when this guide was written. They can change, so confirm when you call.

What does the Macomb County Department of Roads say?

MCDR answers this exact question in its FAQ. When a mailbox is knocked down, it says, the cause is often plowed snow rather than the plow striking it. Damage from snow pushed to the side of the road is the homeowner's responsibility to repair, and MCDR points to state laws that give road agencies governmental immunity for incidents like this while they maintain the roads.

If you believe a county plow made direct contact with your mailbox, contact MCDR at 586-463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org. The FAQ does not publish a replacement amount, so ask when you call. Photos of the box, the post and any tire or blade marks help show what happened.

Why does snow from a plow break mailboxes?

Because plowed snow is heavier and faster than it looks. Sterling Heights explains that even a few inches of snow is heavy, that it usually includes packed snow and ice from traffic, and that a plow forces it to the side of the road with a large part of it airborne. On major roads with as many as five lanes, the force multiplies. A poorly built and installed mailbox, the city says, is no match for it.

Plows also need speed. If they plow too slowly, Sterling Heights says, they leave high banks that block driveways, and the next pass has to throw snow up and over them. That throw is what takes out weak mailboxes, and it is the same snow that builds the ridge across your driveway.

What do Sterling Heights, Warren and Shelby Township do?

Sterling Heights. The city says mailboxes are occasionally damaged during snowplowing. Call (586) 446-2315 if you need a temporary mailbox or want to discuss reimbursement for a damaged one. The city also plows to the curb to clear catch basins, which gives mail carriers closer access to the box.

Warren. Warren's published snow removal policy covers sidewalks and snow alerts but not mailboxes, so call the DPW at (586) 759-9270. Several major roads in Warren, including 10, 12 and 14 Mile, Hayes, Mound and Schoenherr, are county roads, so MCDR's policy applies along them.

Shelby Township. The township does not maintain roads. It says MCDR is the local authority for road maintenance and snow removal in Shelby, with two exceptions: the Road Commission for Oakland County maintains Dequindre Road, and MDOT maintains the M-53 expressway.

How should a mailbox be set up to survive plow season?

USPS guidance for curbside boxes:

• Height: 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the box or the point of mail entry.
• Setback: 6 to 8 inches back from the curb. Without a raised curb, ask your local postmaster. Sterling Heights recommends at least 6 inches behind the concrete curb.
• Post: a 4-by-4 wooden support or a 2-inch steel or aluminum pipe, buried no more than 24 inches deep. The best supports, USPS says, are stable but bend or fall away if a car hits them, so avoid concrete posts, heavy metal pipe and other unyielding supports. In Sterling Heights, brick mailbox structures are not allowed in the right-of-way.

Then get it ready for winter:

1. Shake it in the fall. MCDR asks residents to tighten screws and make sure the post and box can withstand large amounts of thrown snow.
2. Skip the flimsy box. Sterling Heights notes that plastic boxes and very thin metal ones are more easily damaged.
3. Mark it. A tall marker beside the post helps any plow driver see it; see driveway markers.
4. Keep the approach clear after storms so the carrier can reach the box; the after-storm checklist covers it.

What if a private plow company hit it?

Private contractors clear driveways and private roads, so their usual chance to hit a mailbox is at the end of a driveway or along a private road. If it happens:

• Report it to the company right away, in writing, with photos and the date and time.
• Damage a contractor causes is a claim against its general liability insurance, which is one reason to see a certificate before the season. See snow contractor insurance.
• Tell your contractor where the mailbox is before the first storm. Our residential visits include a path to the mailbox, buried fixtures go on the stop notes so the crew sees them, and we carry $2,000,000 in general liability.

This guide summarizes published policies. It is general information, not legal advice.