File an insurance claim against the Commonwealth

Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties.

Bodily injury or property damages to Third-Parties

Whenever a Commonwealth employee or Commonwealth-Owned vehicle is involved in an incident in which a third-party or their property is damaged, or the damage occurs on Commonwealth-Owned property, the Bureau of Finance and Risk Management (FARM) is responsible for investigating and adjudicating claims reported by the third-party in accordance with PA C.S.A. Title 42 § 8522.

When an incident occurs, all parties should clearly document:

When the incident occurred (time & date)
Where the incident occurred
What happened
The extent of damage sustained
Any police notification and/or response
Take photos of the damage, incident scene, etc.
If a Commonwealth vehicle was involved, provide the name of the driver, license plate number of the vehicle, and vehicle unit number

If an individual wishes to file a claim for damages, the incident should be immediately reported to the Commonwealth agency that allegedly caused the damage. Additionally, the claimant must submit an incident online via the Origami Risk portal below. Once the notice of incident is received by FARM via the Origami Risk portal, FARM will review it, and a status update will be provided to you via email.

Note that claimants only have six months from the date of an incident to present a claim against the Commonwealth for damage in accordance with PA C.S.A. Title 42 § 5522.

Common Examples of Third-Party Property Damage

Highway Line Paint or Tar on Car
Pothole Damage to Car
Please be aware that FARM is required to investigate and adjudicate claims against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in accordance with PA C.S.A. Title 42 § 8522. Exception to Sovereign Immunity (b)5. Potholes and other dangerous conditions, which specifically prohibits the payment of a property damage claims caused by potholes, sinkholes, and/or conditions created by the natural elements. FARM is bound by the provisions of Act 152 and is required to deny the claim. This applies to every claim except in very limited circumstances.
Snowplow Operations Damaged Mailbox or Fence
Commonwealth-Owned Vehicle Hit and Damaged Car and/or Other Property
Tree Damage to Property at a State Park

Line of Duty Death Benefits

FARM administers two programs that provide benefits to eligible surviving family members of emergency responders and law enforcement in the event of death in the line of duty, Emergency Responder and Law Enforcement Death Benefit (Act 101) and Killed-in-Service Benefit (Act 51). Surviving family members of National Guard members may also be eligible for Act 51 benefits. Should you wish to file a Line of Duty Death Benefit claim, you need to submit the incident online via the Origami Risk portal below.

Submitting Incidents to FARM

Click here to access the FARM Origami Risk Incident reporting portal.