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Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Explain Auto Insurance

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they explain all the ins and outs of auto insurance.

So you’ve moved to Saskatchewan. Fantastic! From one transplant to another let me say “Welcome!”  It is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. But can I be honest? Sometimes our auto insurance can seem just a little confusing. When I moved here years ago I was confused... and I’m in insurance! Let me walk you through what auto insurance terms you will hear most often as well as what they mean.

Auto Insurance Terms

SGI

One of the most common terms you will hear in the world of Saskatchewan auto insurance is “SGI.”  SGI stands for Saskatchewan Government Insurance. This is our provincial auto insurance company. They started back in 1945 and are still going strong! Through the SGI Auto Fund, they are responsible for things such as issuing driver’s licenses and providing you plate insurance and registration. They are also the ones you will turn to if you have an insurance claim. In order to get a driver’s license or to plate your vehicle, you will need to go through SGI. To do this you will normally need to go to a Motor License Issuer. Okay, so what is an issuer?

Motor License Issuer

There are motor license issuing offices in virtually every city, town, and village in Saskatchewan. Larger centers such as Regina or Saskatoon actually have quite a few. But even most smaller towns and villages have at least one. To find the office nearest you go to: https://www.sgi.sk.ca/issuer.

The issuer's office is where you will go to actually renew your driver’s license or to register the plate for your vehicle and to get insurance. Issuing offices are run independently, each having its own staff, hours of operations, and locations, however, each one has the same strict guidelines that they need to follow. SGI clearly spells out what can and cannot be done and how it is to be done. They also provide training and ongoing support to their issuers. This protects you because it means the advice that you receive at one issuer's office should be the same as what you receive at another no matter where you are in the province.

You will occasionally hear people referring to their issuing office as “SGI” as in “I’m at SGI getting my plates renewed.” That’s not strictly true, but issuers are certainly agents of SGI and acting on SGI’s behalf.


Driver's License

In order to operate a motor vehicle in Saskatchewan, you need to have a valid Driver’s License. The license you use to drive. It also spells out what type of vehicle you can drive. Your license will show if you are able to drive a car or light vehicle, a motorcycle, school bus, or large transport truck. In order to obtain a driver’s license, you will need to pass a test that has both a written and a driving component. Obtaining a license for a higher class of vehicle requires higher requirements still. More specialized driving training is required in order to operate semi-trucks and motorcycles. People, such as myself, who have moved to Saskatchewan from other provinces or countries may be eligible to have their driver’s license transferred. Your motor license issuer will be able to tell you exactly what documentation you need in order to do this.

Plates

When you register a vehicle in Saskatchewan you also purchase insurance, often called “plate insurance.” This is different from other provinces. In most cases, Saskatchewan’s plate insurance provides you with $200,000 of third-party liability and with $700 deductibles. There are exceptions to this, such as trailers, snowmobiles, and some large trucks have different limits. But for most cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans this is what the plates will provide.   

Deductibles

A deductible is an amount that you need to pay in the event of a claim. If you are at fault in an accident, if you are the victim of a hit and run, or if you have the misfortune of a hail claim or have your vehicle vandalized, you would be responsible to pay your deductible. In most cases, the deductible that you get with your plate insurance is $700. Your vehicle registration will show what your deductible is.

Auto Insurance: Liability 

Your plate insurance also provides you, in most situations, with $200,000 of coverage. Liability insurance provides coverage if you cause damage to someone else’s property or if you injure someone else. For example, if you were driving and hit another vehicle, your $200,000 of liability would pay to cover their damages. $200,000 is the minimum required by law in Saskatchewan.

All Saskatchewan plated vehicles are insured through SGI and carry basic plate coverage. You are able to have your driver’s license or plate insurance renewed at any SGI issuing office in the province.


Extra Insurance

Some people choose to purchase additional insurance. For many people driving with $200,000 of liability insurance, while sufficient to satisfy the law, is just too low. They want to increase that to $2,000,000, or $5,000,000 or even more. Others want to lower their deductibles. For them, while paying $700 is not enough to bankrupt them, it is enough to be an inconvenience. So they purchase an additional policy to lower their deductible. Others travel distances on gravel roads and are concerned about damage to their windshield. Still, others who purchase a brand new vehicle and want to protect their investment with replacement cost.

These are all additional coverages that are available. However, lower deductibles, higher liability, or replacement cost coverage are not part of your basic plate insurance coverage. For these, you need a separate policy. While you are able to renew your plates or driver’s license at any SGI issuing office, your extra insurance would be renewed only through the location it was originally purchased from.


Terms, Terms, Terms

Here is where you will hear a number of terms thrown around. Auto Pak, Package Policy, or Auto Extension Policy are among the most common. Some of them are specific names that specific insurance companies use. Auto Pak, for example, is a term that is specific to SGI CANADA.

Wait? What? SGI CANADA? I thought you said SGI?

SGI through their Auto Fund is responsible for basic plate insurance. SGI CANADA is an entirely separate company from SGI Auto Fund. SGI CANADA is a private insurance company that provides home insurance, commercial insurance, and additional auto insurance. While it shares part of the name and is a sister company, it is nonetheless, a separate company from SGI.

Auto Insurance, So Many Choices

Consumers have a choice of if they want additional insurance or not and if so, which insurance company they want to use to provide it to them. While the basic plate insurance is always through SGI and is a mandatory requirement in order to operate a motor vehicle, the additional insurance can be from one of a number of companies. While you can go to any motor license issuer to plate your vehicle or renew your driver’s license, you purchase any additional insurance through an insurance agent or broker.

Broker or Motor License Issuer?

Insurance offices often have two separate functions. Many of them have a motor license issuer designation. This means that you can do the majority of your SGI transactions there. But they also have an independent broker component. While that might sound confusing, it can actually make your life easy with one-stop shopping.

How Does Auto Insurance Work?

Say you purchased a vehicle and need to insure it and you come to our office at Campbell & Haliburton. The first thing that you will do is speak with one of our motor license issuers to assist you in plating the vehicle. Once that is done you have purchased the basic insurance required to drive. There is no need to go any further if that is all you are wanting... However, you may want to head down the hall to one of our brokers who can talk with you about any additional coverages that you might need, whether lower deductibles, replacement cost, or higher liability. They will provide you with a quote and if you agree you can purchase the additional insurance without ever need to leave the building.

Now as you walk out the door, you do so with the assurance that you are covered for what auto insurance you need. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

- Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker


Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.


Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:


Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Answers Questions Regarding Renter's Insurance

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share what you need to know about renter's insurance.

You have found a place to rent. Fantastic! You have arranged for movers (whether professional or friends to help). Great! You have even downloaded an app to help you decide how to arrange your furniture. Fun! But what about renter’s insurance?

Renter's Insurance

Renter's Insurance, sometimes called tenant insurance, can sound scary, complicated, and worse still expensive. But it does not need to be all that difficult. And often people find it to be less expensive than they first thought.

At Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH, we can help unravel the mystery of renter’s insurance. Most renter’s insurance policies will protect you in two important ways – both your contents and your liability.

Caveat: There are a number of insurance companies that sell renter’s insurance here in Canada. There are similarities between them but also differences. This is not designed to be the definitive word on what each individual policy covers. Rather it is designed to provide a “broad brush” overview of what renter’s insurance does. For specifics on what your policy does, and does not provide, please speak with your broker or agent.

Contents Insurance

The first thing that renter’s insurance does is protect your belongings. There are two major questions that you need to answer when arranging contents insurance.

1. How Much Insurance Do I Need?

This can be a difficult question to answer. After all, most people do not purchase all their belongings at once. We acquire them over time, some new, some second hand. It can seem like an impossible task to come up with how much you have spent on your “stuff”.

When figuring out the amount of insurance that you need – ask yourself the question, “If I needed to buy everything brand new, what would it cost?” Most renter’s insurance policies are based on “replacement cost.” Replacement cost means the amount that it would take to purchase what you had with brand new items.

Many people fall into the trap of thinking, “But my things are old; they are not worth that much.” That may be true, but when it comes to insurance ask the question: "What would it cost if you needed to go on a shopping spree and buy everything brand new?" When thinking of this, remember that most policies will allow you to purchase the same kind and quality as what you had. So, if that old couch is very well made you would be able to purchase the same quality of couch in the event of a claim.

Many insurance companies have a minimum amount of contents insurance that they will provide, for example, $30,000 is quite common. Would that amount be enough? It is a good starting point, but everyone has a unique set of belongings and everyone has a different set of needs.

One tool that is available is a record of your belongings. This can be found on SGI's website. While it is not strictly necessary to complete a record like this, it is a valuable tool in determining how much insurance you need.

2. What Kind of Insurance Do I Need?

Once you have determined how much insurance you require, the next question to ask is what kind of insurance best meets your needs. There are essentially two different types of contents insurance: a more basic form of insurance and more comprehensive insurance.


Named Perils Insurance

The first form of insurance is named perils. It has different names depending on the insurance company. It may be called Pak I or Broad Form. Each company has a different name. So please do not rely on the name, make sure that you understand what it actually provides.

As the name implies, “Named Perils” provides insurance for a specific number of perils. A peril is an event that is unexpected and accidental.

 Common named perils would include:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Explosion
  • Smoke
  • Falling Object
  • Impact of Aircraft, Spacecraft of Land Vehicle
  • Wind/Hail
  • Water Escape
  • Vandalism
  • Theft


  • For a named perils policy to respond, one of the specifically listed named perils would have needed to occur. If something other than one of the specially listed things happened there would be no insurance. Named Perils policies often specifically define some of the terms and restrict what is, and is not, covered by them.

    Comprehensive Perils Insurance


    The second form of contents insurance is comprehensive insurance. As the name implies, this is a much broader form of insurance than is named perils.

    Named Perils Insurance specifically tells you what is covered, Comprehensive Insurance tells you what is not covered. It is often called all-risk insurance as it covers all risks except those specifically excluded.

    Typical exclusions would include:
    • Flooding
    • Seepage
    • Exclusions when the property is vacant
    • Pet Damage
    • Normal Wear and Tear
    There are some day-to-day advantages of comprehensive insurance over named perils.

    • The first is a philosophical difference. With named perils insurance the onus is on the insured (person who purchased the insurance) to show where something is covered. With comprehensive insurance that responsibility is shifted to the insurance company. Unless they can point to a specific exclusion, the insurance company must pay the loss.
    • Accidental Damage – Comprehensive Insurance typically provides insurance for accidental damage whereas named perils does not. For example, if a person dropped a big-screen television or spilled a glass of red wine on the couch most comprehensive insurance policies would provide coverage whereas named perils would often not.
    • Mysterious Disappearance  Named Perils policies typically cover if things are stolen, but not if they are lost. Comprehensive insurance often covers loss as well. If your diamond ring goes missing or the gem falls out of it comprehensive insurance would usually respond and pay the claim where named perils would likely not.
    • Smoke  Some named perils policies provide very restrictive coverage for smoke damage. Comprehensive Insurance provides much better coverage for things like candle smoke.
    So which policy is better for you? Comprehensive insurance is a significantly better policy than a Named Perils policy is. Typically, the price difference, on a renter’s policy, is not that much between the two. If your budget allows for it, we recommend Comprehensive Insurance.

    With renter’s insurance, as with most kinds of insurance, there are a few things to be aware of:
    • Insurance policies carry with them a deductible. A deductible is a portion that you must pay in the event of a loss. For example, if you have a $500 deductible you would be responsible for any amounts up to the first $500 of any claim.
    • Whenever you file a claim you can expect to see your premium increase.
    • Most policies have specific items that they put limits of insurance on. For example, there are maximums that will be paid out for things such as jewelry, stamp or coin collections, or bicycles to name a few. We recommend that you review these with your broker or contact one of our helpful insurance brokers at Campbell & Haliburton.

    Liability Insurance

    Liability Insurance protects you if others are harmed due to your negligence. Liability insurance has two “triggers” that they use.
    • Bodily Injury – Someone gets injured because of what you did or did not do. Suppose you are renting a house and are responsible for keeping the sidewalk shoveled and safe. But if someone slips on the ice and is injured you might be found by the courts to be liable. Your renter’s insurance provides liability insurance to protect you in this situation.
    • Property Damage – Provides coverage when there is damage to someone else’s property due to your actions. For example, if you are cooking and cause a fire the landlord might want you (or your insurance company) to pay for damages to their house.
    Liability Insurance is generally included in a renter’s insurance policy.

    A few things to think of:
    • Cost – In Canada, liability insurance on a renter’s policy is relatively inexpensive. Many policies provide you with $1,000,000 of liability insurance. However, the cost to increase this is generally very low. Since liability insurance is designed to protect you from potentially catastrophic events, we recommend increasing the amount of liability insurance.
    • The Fine Print Some liability insurance policies provide restrictions on when it will pay out. We strongly recommend that you speak with your insurance broker to ensure that you are aware of any limitations.
    Renters insurance is a relatively cost-effective way to not only protect yourself in the event the unthinkable happens.

    Are you ready for a personalized insurance quote? Our easy user-friendly website makes this both easy and convenient. Do you need more information? Please contact Campbell & Haliburton, one of our expert insurance brokers. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

    - Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker

    Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

    Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957.  Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

    Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

    They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:



    Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Discuss Buying Insurance Online

    Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance  have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share 10 things to know about buying insurance online in Regina.

    10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton

    For years, decades even, purchasing insurance has followed the same basic formula. You or I realize that we need insurance. So what do we do? We book an appointment and meet with an insurance broker to let them know what we are looking for. They then help assess our needs and provide us with options. We purchase and presto! We are insured. 


    But what about buying insurance online?


    That model has worked well in the past, and for many of us, it continues to be our preferred means of choice.  There is something very comforting about talking with a professional who knows and understands our needs.

    A growing number of us though, are looking for something different. Many of us turn towards the online option: banking online, ordering groceries online, doing our Christmas shopping online, and even shopping for cars online. So why not purchase home insurance online too?

    Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca has launched a new online platform. This enables our customers to purchase some of the more common insurance products online from the comfort of their own homes. Are you looking for home insurance, tenant insurance, or condo insurance? No problem, we’ve got you covered! Most customers can obtain a quote and even have their policy issued instantly online. Are you a landlord needing insurance for a rented dwelling? You can do that too!


    10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton


    But this is new and we get that. You have questions, we have answers! We have compiled a list of “Top 10 Questions About Buying Insurance Online”.

    10. "How Does Buying Insurance Online Actually Work?

    It’s actually quite easy! You simply go to our myCH online landing page and click on the “Get Started” link. You will be asked to enter some basic information about yourself, and your home. Don’t worry, none of it is too difficult or complicated. After all, we are in the business of making this as easy as possible for you! We use some neat state-of-the-art software that does some quick behind-the-scenes calculations which then provides you with a quote in real-time! You can customize it and make any changes that you need. Once you are ready to complete it, click on the purchase button, and voila! Your policy is issued.

    9. "That Does Sound Easy - But, I'm a Bit of a Technophobe."

    No problem! We have a live chat feature that is fully operated during regular business hours. If you have a question at any point along the way, just type it into the chatbox and one of our brokers will answer it right away! We don’t use automated chatbots, only real people, the best people! Suppose, you want to purchase a policy at 3:00 a.m.? You can certainly do so! The online tool is available 24/7. Our agents, however, are not. They need their sleep. But rest assured the next morning someone will get back to you and answer any questions you may have!

    8. "Can I Make Changes Down The Road?"

    Absolutely! If at any time, you want to take a look at your policy or make changes, you can do that within your own self-serve pocket account. Simply log into your pocket account to view or make changes to your policies!

    7. "I Did This Online, But Can I Still Call in if I Have Questions?"

    Yes, most definitely! You can either chat, email, call or stop by the office! We will accommodate whatever is the most convenient for you. Just because you purchased online doesn’t mean that you can’t call in! At Campbell & Haliburton we are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    6. "How Can I Pay?"

    We’ll make buying insurance online as easy as possible for you. Do you want to pay monthly or once per year? Both are options. Credit card? No problem! Directly from your bank account? Yes, you can do that too! To keep you as safe as possible, all of the payments are made through a secure payment portal.

    5. "Is Online Legit?"

    Buying insurance online is completely 100% legitimate and completely above board. We made sure of this before we launched it! At present, there are a couple of different insurance companies that are available through this platform: both SGI CANADA and Exhale Insurance are set up to provide quotes. We hope to have some of our other partners on board in the coming months. Stay tuned!

    4. "What About My Business? Can I Purchase Online Insurance?" 


    Yes and no. At present this platform is only available for home, condo, and tenant insurance. But we can certainly assist you with your business! Just call or email Campbell & Haliburton, we would be pleased to assist you with whatever you need.

    3. "My Insurance Situation is a Little Unique. Can You Still Help Me?"

    Most certainly we can! Most home and tenant policies can be done online. But then there are some things that don’t quite fit into that box. Perhaps you are running a business from your home, or operating an Airbnb*? Or even breeding magical unicorns? No problem! We’ve seen just about everything that there is to see and can insure most of it. (Okay, we are having some difficulty in obtaining unicorn insurance, but hopefully someday soon!) Just because it can’t be done online doesn’t mean we can’t do it at Campbell & Haliburton! Likely we can. Just contact us by phone or email and we’ll see what we can do!

    *If you are doing any sort of home business or renting out any portion of your home including Airbnb, we recommend that you contact us right away.

    2. "What About Car Insurance?"


    Not at present. We are hopeful that you will be able to purchase an extension auto policy through this platform soon! But for now, if you need an auto insurance quote please contact us and we can assist you with whatever you need.

    1. "Can I Get a Puppy if I Buy Insurance Online?"

    Sure! Why not? We recommend that ALL of our clients get puppies! Oh, wait. Did you mean would we give you a puppy? No, sorry, we can’t. But we would love to see pictures of any of your pets!

    If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your rental dwellings, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

    - Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker


    Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected. >


    Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957.  Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic.  Through it, all their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you.  No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

    They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:

    Campbell & Haliburton is a Trusted Regina Insurance Broker




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