The Claims and Investigation Division administers the County’s self-insured program for public liability.  
A claim against the County must be made in writing to the:

Office of County Counsel
Claims and Investigation Division
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 355
San Diego, CA 92101

Claims filed against the County must be completed in accordance with the California Government Code, 
sections 900-915.4.  No claim form is required; however the County does provide claim forms for the 
convenience of the general public.  A claim form may be obtained at the address above or by contacting 
the office at:

(619) 531-4899

Allow 45 days to process and investigate your claim.  You can expedite the investigative process if you 
provide written justification for the amount of loss indicated.  Property damage claims require an estimate 
and photographs of the damage.  Personal injury claims need to be accompanied by unaltered copies of 
bills from treating physician(s) or other expenses incurred.  

Any request for information by the Claims and Investigation Division is not a commitment to pay your 
claim or an admission of liability.  All information submitted will be evaluated together with the results of 
the investigation.  

The evaluation of your claim may result in several actions:  

●

A settlement offer, if all of the information has been submitted; or

●

A formal denial – If a formal denial letter is sent, this means the investigation has 
determined that the County is not liable and will not pay any money in response to the 
claim.  A lawsuit may then be filed within the time allowed by law.

●

No formal denial – The claiming party may file an action within the time allowed by law.

Claims for Unclaimed Monies

Claims for Unclaimed Monies belonging to individuals and organizations doing business with or receiving 
services from the County, should be submitted to the County of San Diego Auditor and Controller, 
Accounts Payable Division.  Unclaimed monies consist of warrants that remain un-cashed for more than 
six months, usually resulting from warrants that are returned as undeliverable by the postal service. The 
most common types of unclaimed monies include, but are not limited to, supplier payments for good or services.

Inmates’ Lost Property

Claims valued at $2,500 or less for loss or damage to personal property while entrusted to the care and 
custody of a County officer or employee while incarcerated by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department 
should be submitted to the County of San Diego Auditor and Controller, Accounts Payable Division.  
However, the Auditor and Controller shall not act on any claim valued in excess of $2,500 but shall 
refer such claims to County Counsel, Claims and Investigation Division for action.