Auto insurance in Saskatchewan is the protection that you have when you are stopped at a traffic light that may not turn green and someone crashes into your vehicle while you are sitting still at the red light.
When buying auto insurance, it is important to find an insurer with many years of experience, who has been successful in restoring their customers’ vehicles after an accident. However, not all insurers charge the same rates and terms which can result in confusion when deciding on who to buy from.
Auto insurance is required in Saskatchewan as part of The Insurance Act. All drivers with a valid driver’s license must have a minimum of $200,000 third party liability coverage with a $400 deductible that pays the medical bills of anyone they hit while driving.
Each year, we spend more than 4 million hours in traffic jams, which puts us at greater risk of getting into accidents.
5 things you should know about Saskatchewan Auto Insurance
Saskatchewan’s insurance plan covers things like private passenger vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and trailers. However, it does not cover the damage to the other driver’s vehicle that caused the crash.
Auto insurance plans in Saskatchewan are regulated under your province’s Motor Vehicle Act which sets out the legislation regarding coverage and requirements that must be met by each auto insurance plan. For example: When you have an accident, you are required to contact your insurer right away.
So you’re planning an out-of-province road trip and want to make sure your Saskatchewan auto insurance is all current? We’ve got you covered with this blog post of 5 things you need to know about auto insurance in the prairie province!
1. Know what’s mandatory:
In Saskatchewan, liability coverage is mandatory for everyone who wants to drive a vehicle that weighs over 4,500 kilograms on any public highway or road. Your Saskatchewan auto insurance is mandatory if you operate a vehicle weighing 4,500 kilograms or more in Saskatchewan.
2. Know the different kinds of insurance:
You may want to purchase bus, motorcycle, or commercial coverage depending on your personal needs and driving habits. In Saskatchewan, bus and motorcycle insurance are mandatory under certain circumstances, but requiring a commercial policy can be expensive. Know the details of your Saskatchewan auto insurance options before you leave home.
3. Don’t ignore roadside assistance:
Saskatchewan drivers are required to have basic emergency coverage only. While it’s not a substitute for comprehensive insurance, it could pay for extra repairs or tow fees if you are involved in an accident.
4. Know the rules for carrying non-Saskatchewan residents:
If you’re driving friends or relatives across the border, make sure they know the traffic laws in Saskatchewan and that they have valid third-party insurance coverage in case of an accident.
5. In Saskatchewan, there is no province-wide compulsory insurance plan for vehicles:
Instead, the majority of drivers have private auto insurance through a company and pay premiums on an ad-hoc basis for any time they drive a vehicle owned by their company. For example, a truck driver may drive a company vehicle on Monday and have no driving time to report.
The same driver could then drive their own vehicle on Tuesday and Wednesday, using the time and distance traveled to determine the premium they must pay for those days’ driving.
Conclusion
Car insurance is a result of the accumulation of risk in society. It allows people to purchase coverage for themselves and their families in case they or someone else is involved in an accident.
Though it may seem like Saskatchewan drivers are only dealing with minor traffic violations, they are required to pay their share of the damage if they cause an accident. This responsibility extends to everything from hit-and-run accidents to monstrosities like drunk driving or driving under the influence.
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