The Reduced No Fault coverage Saskatchewan talked about last year has come in effect this month.
For years now, Saskatchewan’s motorcyclist have been at war with SGI, their provincial insurance body. Insurance rates have been rising rapidly in the prairie province, and riders say the rates have no correlation to common sense.
SGI’s compromise they announced last year was a new insurance package that offered lower up-front rates, but also lower benefits.
By choosing Reduced No Fault over existing options (No Fault Injury coverage of Tort coverage), riders will save money but also expose themselves to more risk.
The savings are tied to engine displacement. Riders choosing Reduced No Fault coverage will save five per cent on fees for all bikes 100 cc and under. Motorcycles 101 cc-400 cc will see a 20 per cent discount; bikes 400 cc and bigger get a 30 per cent discount. If the rider qualifies for the Safe Driver Recognition discount, that’s applied afterwards.
However, if riders are 50 per cent or more responsible for a traffic accident, or in a single-vehicle crack-up, they will receive fewer benefits — they have the same coverage as a Tort policy, but with more limited ability to sue. If someone else is responsible for the crash, the rider will receive the same benefits as a No Fault policy holder.
For more details on Saskatchewan’s revised motorcycle insurance, see here.
