All vehicles must be properly registered according to purpose and must display the appropriate licence plate.
Licence plates must be securely attached and clearly visible. That means plates must not be obstructed in any way that prevents them from being read or accurately photographed by a red light camera system.
The number or identity of the licence plate must not be altered or changed in any way.
New residents have up to 90 days to register their vehicle in Saskatchewan. Basic insurance coverage is required.
Licence plate insurance coverage
Your licence plates carry basic insurance coverage in three areas:
- collision and comprehensive (damage to your vehicle)
- personal injury benefits
- third-party liability
Collision and comprehensive is also known as physical damage coverage. It pays for damage to your vehicle due to a collision or other occurrence such as hail, fire or theft1. Claims for damage to your vehicle are subject to a deductible.
Personal injury benefits provide Saskatchewan residents with injury and death benefits if they are injured or killed in an automobile collision anywhere in Canada or the United States. All Saskatchewan residents have a choice between two equally priced auto injury coverages - No Fault Coverage and Tort Coverage.
No Fault Coverage provides a comprehensive package of benefits that will cover the majority of your expenses if you're injured in an auto collision. If someone else is found responsible for the collision, No Fault Coverage allows you to sue for expenses above the package of benefits. It does not allow you to sue for pain and suffering, except in very limited circumstances.
Tort Coverage provides a basic package of benefits that will cover some of your expenses if you're injured in an auto collision. If someone else is found responsible for the collision, Tort Coverage allows you to sue for expenses above the package of benefits and for pain and suffering, subject to a $5,000 deductible.
Third-party liability coverage provides you, the vehicle owner, with up to $200,000 to pay for damages your vehicle causes to the property of others or injuries it causes to others.
Your vehicle deductible
Your plate insurance covers loss of, or damage to, your vehicle and its equipment from causes such as collision, upset, fire, theft, windstorm or hail, subject to your deductible.
A deductible is applicable to any vehicle loss you may have. It is the amount you are required to pay before your licence plate insurance benefits begin to cover the remaining costs.
For example, if your deductible is $700 and you're responsible for a collision which causes $2,000 worth of damage to your vehicle, then SGI will pay for damage in excess of your deductible. You will be responsible for the first $700, while SGI will pay the remaining $1,300.
However, if it is determined that another Saskatchewan driver/owner is responsible for the damage and that person can be identified, that person's insurance will pay for your damage, including your deductible and any other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Coverage for specific single-vehicle losses
Single-vehicle collision - Your damages are covered for the amount in excess of your deductible. You may be able to recover your deductible when there is a responsible party to pursue. Your adjuster will assist you with this. In most single-vehicle collisions the driver is responsible and must pay their own deductible.
Storm or weather-related damage - Even though you are not at fault for weather-related damage, such as hail damage or a tree falling on your vehicle, the deductible applies as there is no responsible party to pursue.
Collision with an animal - If you carry only the compulsory plate insurance, the deductible applies. If you carry additional auto insurance the deductible may be waived for any collision with an animal.
Hit and run - Your damages are covered for the amount in excess of your deductible. You may be able to recover your deductible if the responsible party is identified. Your adjuster will assist you with this.
Theft or vandalism - If you carry only the compulsory plate insurance, the deductible applies. If the responsible party is identified, you may be able to recover your deductible. If you carry additional auto insurance the deductible may be waived for theft of the entire vehicle.
Coverage for multiple-vehicle losses
You're not at fault for the collision - You do not pay the deductible in most cases. The party found at fault for the collision is responsible for your damage, including your deductible. Once your adjuster has confirmed your coverage, you may have your vehicle repaired at the autobody shop of your choice.
You're at fault for the collision - As the at-fault driver you are responsible for your full deductible. Your licence plate insurance will also pay the other driver's deductible and cover any damage to their vehicle.
Shared responsibility for the collision - When two motorists are each found partially responsible for a collision, both drivers pay a portion of their deductible if their vehicle is damaged. For example, if you are found 25% responsible for a collision you pay 25% of your deductible.
Personal Auto Injury Insurance
The Personal Auto Injury Insurance program provides coverage for Saskatchewan residents injured in automobile collisions anywhere in Canada or the United States. Coverage provided depends on which of two auto injury products you choose - No Fault Coverage or Tort Coverage.
No Fault Coverage
Saskatchewan residents with No Fault Coverage receive a comprehensive package of benefits regardless of the circumstances of the collision. Benefits include coverage for income loss, medical and rehabilitation expenses, permanent impairment and death benefits.
Those with No Fault Coverage can sue for certain expenses not covered by their benefits, as well as for income loss which exceeds the benefits provided by the plan. Except in very limited circumstances, they cannot sue for pain and suffering.
Tort Coverage
Saskatchewan residents with Tort Coverage receive a basic package of benefits regardless of the circumstances of the collision. Benefits include some coverage for income loss, medical and rehabilitation expenses, permanent impairment and death benefits. Those with Tort Coverage who are not totally at fault for the collision can sue for expenses and income losses not covered by their benefits and for pain and suffering, subject to a $5,000 deductible.
For more information on No Fault Coverage, Tort Coverage or how to choose your auto injury insurance, visit any SGI office or SGI motor licence issuing office for informational materials that explain the coverages.
Previous page Next page- Vehicles are covered to the actual cash value, which is the market value of your vehicle compared with similar vehicles, with similar equipment, mileage and condition to the insured vehicle (see coverage limitations on page 43 of the Driver's Licence and Basic Auto Insurance brochure).
