Car insurance in Saskatchewan. Here's what you need to know.

Saskatchewan has a government-run auto insurance system. That means drivers purchase their policy from a Crown corporation known as Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). The government has provided car insurance to Saskatchewan drivers since 1945. The SGI sets car insurance prices centrally and is self-sustaining, meaning generating profits is not part of its mandate.

Basic car insurance coverage is known as “license plate insurance” in Saskatchewan. Plate insurance includes third-party liability coverage, personal injury benefits, as well as collision and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Drivers do not currently have the option to shop online for Saskatchewan auto insurance coverage on LowestRates.ca.

Car insurance rates in Saskatchewan are determined by a variety of factors:

• Driving record.
• Where you live.
• Driving experience.
• The type of vehicle you drive.
• The use and location of your vehicle.
• The amount of coverage you've selected.

Yes. You're required to obtain a minimum mandatory level of insurance coverage from SGI.

In Saskatchewan, third-party liability insurance and accident benefits coverage are mandatory. Drivers are required to carry $200,000 in liability coverage and at least $7-million for medical payments.

Drivers must also carry first-party all perils insurance, which is a combination of comprehensive and collision insurance.

Collision and comprehensive are optional coverages in the rest of Canada, but are mandatory in Saskatchewan, replacing Direct Compensation Property Damage coverage (DCPD), which entitles drivers to compensation if their car is damaged through no fault of their own by another driver.

All perils insurance will provide compensation if your car is damaged in a collision that you are at-fault for as well as any damage caused by storms, falling objects and theft. You are required to pay a deductible before you can receive your compensation and deductibles will vary according to the type of vehicle you're insuring.

Basic plate insurance in Saskatchewan includes coverage against uninsured motorists. However, if you are equally responsible for the collision, you will be required to pay the full deductible upfront; SGI will attempt to attempt to collect the other half from the uninsured driver and pay you back later on.

To recap, these are the coverages that are mandatory:

• It’s mandatory to hold collision coverage in Saskatchewan (included in all-perils)
• It’s mandatory to hold comprehensive coverage in Saskatchewan (included in all-perils)
• It’s mandatory to hold third party liability insurance in Saskatchewan
• It’s mandatory to hold accident benefits in Saskatchewan

It depends on which type of insurance you choose. Saskatchewan drivers can choose between no-fault or tort coverage. The benefits vary as follows:

No-fault insurance coverage in Saskatchewan:

• Accident benefits: Saskatchewan drivers can receive up to $6,382,084 per person.
• Funeral expense benefits: $9,573.
• Disability income benefits: 90% of net wages based on gross annual income maximum of $86,463/year.

Tort coverage in Saskatchewan:

• Accident benefits: Saskatchewan drivers can receive up to $24,954 per person for non-catastrophic, up to $187,158 for catastrophic injury.
• Funeral expense benefits: $6,239.
• Disability income benefits: $376 per week if totally disabled for up to 2 years; $188 per week if partially disabled for up to 2 years; maximum $19,552 per year.

Saskatchewan is a no-fault province. That means residents can opt-out of the Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP), or no-fault, in favour of a tort plan.

If you're charged for driving without insurance in Saskatchewan, you have to pay a $1,000 fine (for your first or second offence). Your driver's licence may also be suspended. You can also be arrested if you're caught operating an unregistered vehicle, and your future insurance rates will likely rise.

In Saskatchewan, you can begin the licensing process at 16. If you're enrolled in a high school driver education program, you can start at 15, but all drivers under 18 need consent from a parent or guardian. Then, to earn your learner's licence in Saskatchewan, you have to pass a vision test and a test that measures your knowledge of driving rules.

You have two options for obtaining your novice 1 licence:

• You can complete a high school driver training program, which includes 30 hours in-class and 6 hours in-car.
• Or you can complete commercial training, which includes 6 hours of in-class and 6 hours of in-car instruction from a driving school.
• Drivers must then practice with a supervising driver for 9 months and follow a few rules: don't consume alcohol before driving or use a cellphone while behind the wheel (neither hand-held nor hands-free). Drivers must pass a road test to get their novice 1 licence.

To earn your novice 2 licence, you have to practice with your novice 1 licence for 6 months. While you're driving with your novice 1, you can have as many family members in your vehicles as there are seat belts, but you can only drive one non-family passenger. You also cannot consume alcohol or use a cellphone while behind the wheel. As long as you follow all of these rules, you'll receive your novice 2 licence in the mail.

To get your full licence in Saskatchewan, you have to practice driving for 12 months. You cannot consume alcohol, use your cellphone, or supervise another driver in the Graduated Driver's Licensing program during this time. To finally graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver's license, you also cannot have any at-fault collisions, traffic convictions, or licence suspensions during these 12 months.