ADOT reports recovering millions for damage to Arizona highways

An insurance recovery team brought $6.4 million back to Arizona by collecting insurance reimbursement for damage on state roads caused by individuals and firms, state transportation officials said.

The Arizona Department of Transportation operates the team, which is staffed by professionals with insurance industry backgrounds, ADOT officials stated in a release. The unit reaches out to the responsible parties and their insurance carriers to recover the repair costs, which include labor, equipment and materials.

According to ADOT, the Insurance Recovery Team processed 2,111 claims during the 2024 fiscal year, including these:

• $86,000 recovered for a 2023 incident in which a cement truck struck a concrete barrier wall on the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
• $79,000 recovered for a semitrailer fire that burned the asphalt on the Beeline Highway in 2023.
• $37,000 recovered for a semitrailer fire that burned the asphalt on I-40 in earlier this year.

The money recovered goes into the State Highway Fund. During the past three fiscal years, the team processed 7,233 claims to recover $23 million for damage to the state highway system.

“Our commitment to insurance recovery helps safeguard Arizona’s investment in state highways,”  ADOT Risk Management Administrator Susan Stumfoll said.

“Having an Insurance Recovery Team staffed by experienced professionals helps make sure those responsible for damage to state property are held accountable for the associated cost of repairs.”

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