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SGI Auto Insurance Reviews

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(75 reviews)
SGI
1.7 out of 5 stars:
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Stolen Truck - written off

by LDB on Sep 6, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

My ex-wife and I jointly owned a 2003 Ford F250 4x4 diesel with about 167,000km that got stolen from outside the mechanic's shop at the end of July 2017. It was recovered August 2. The damage consisted of a punched-in key hole on the passenger side door, and the cover/lock on the ignition had been removed.

We were a bit surprised when SGI almost immediately told us it was being written off. We figured the truck was worth at least $12,000, maybe up to $15,000 with the recent engine rebuild. Our SGI adjuster, Chelsea Leonew, gave us an initial offer of $6355 on August 10. We told her that was unacceptable and it was worth twice that amount. We submitted the recent bill for an engine rebuild (about $5800), but that only increased SGI's offer to $7660. We submitted ads for similar trucks from Kijiji for SK, AB, and MB, but SGI didn't budge. We hired an independent appraiser and went to arbitration. That cost us about $350, but we ended up settling for $11,500, which we thought was fair.

Why did we have to spend $350 and a month in negotiation to arrive at a fair settlement? I had used the VMR Canada online calculator early in the process to see if we were off-base in thinking it was worth at least $12,000. The VMR Canada result confirmed we were being reasonable. However, I noticed that if you failed to check off the "HD Diesel V8" box, the value was pretty close to what SGI initially offered. I've got a gut feeling that someone at SGI made a keying error on the initial valuation. I've got no issue with someone making a mistake. It happens all the time. However, I've got plenty of issue with someone failing to recognize a mistake or trying to cover it up. We ended up with a final settlement that was 81% higher than the initial offer. Something was definitely wrong with the initial offers from SGI, beyond the expected low-ball. Why didn't someone at SGI go back and take a look at their calculations instead of wasting time and money going to arbitration?

Something really stinks at SGI when it comes to write-offs. I still don't think the vehicle should have been written off in the first place. As well, when the final settlement after arbitration is 81% higher than SGI's initial offer, and 50% higher than SGI's final offer, shouldn't SGI have to reimburse the cost of arbitration? It was pretty clear that one side wasn't coming to the table with clean hands.

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Poor service and rip off!

by SGINoMore on Aug 2, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

If I could put a no star, I would! Not even worthy of a single star. We had to pay for a Certified Extract License and we even told them we need it that day for a passport, we waited till 4 pm. They told us they will email it to us but we haven't received a single email from them the whole day. We had to pay the rush fee for the passport. I phoned them the off day to ask if they could just lessen the amount we paid on our registration or refund us 'coz it's really unfair for us that we had to pay a service that we didn't even get. They just told me they will just send it again. What for? We don't even need it anymore! We had to pay $110 for a rush fee already, you should change your policy for refunds! You're just ripping off people. Very poor and useless services as well!

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only out for your money

by hannah c. on Aug 1, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

Received zero communication through SGI for the duration of our policy. Our premium was high for no reason ($200 per month for 2 females >30 w/ no claims).
We were provided with a payment schedule for our policy, showing the last date a payment would be taken. We never received a renewal notice, however, they continued taking monthly payments after the 'final' payment, yet before our policy had expired. This company comes off as a bunch of crooks. Glad we never had to make a claim. Avoid.

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Adjuster Not Helpful

by Charlotte Strumpher on Jul 25, 2017
2 out of 5 stars

My auto adjuster was good in giving me necessary documents I needed for my car (tires were stolen and sgi was able to cover some of it after my deductible). However, she was reluctant to answer any questions I had. I do not have a lot of knowledge on these things or what SGI helps with and if each dealership differs. My boyfriend came into an SGI centre in asking about the papers and quote SGI gave me concerning replacing my stolen tires (I was out of province). They told him either way he will need me to give him official authnrorization to deal with this so they themselves said I need to call my adjuster (Debbie) in regards to it. So I did, and she was short tempered with me saying she has nothing to do with this, just send the bill (even though I was TOLD to call her) and wondered why I was asking her a question she cannot answer. She also claimed my boyfriend went into this SGI location with his own quote for the tires, when in reality he went in with the documents and quote she herself had provided to me. I think this customer service is poor for this reason. I really wish for SGI to hire better adjusters with good service skills and patience.

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'I couldn't breathe': Sask. man narrowly escapes…

by Cape Breton Post on Jul 24, 2017
1 out of 5 stars
CBC NEWSBarry Chalifoux says he's lucky to be alive after what seemed like a slight car malfunction turned into a terrifying ordeal.

On July 10, Chalifoux started on his regular weekly work commute from Loon Lake, Sask., to English River First Nation — a journey roughly 305 kilometres to the northeast — when he noticed that something was off around Beauval, Sask., close to halfway through his trip.

"I was getting closer to Beauval when I saw smoke coming in. I saw smoke from the hood and also I could smell it coming into the vehicle," he said.

CBC NEWS Barry Chalifoux suffered nerve damage to his leg from a third-degree burn. (Barry Chalifoux)

Seconds later, the front of his 2015 Ford Edge — a car that he had owned for less than a year — was engulfed in flames leaving him unable to use his power brakes because the electrical components had stopped working. No electrical meant his doors and windows were also inoperable.

"I pulled into the side of the road to try to slow myself down and when the vehicle came to a stop, I tried getting out of the vehicle but [that] wasn't working either."

Unable to unlock the doors or roll down the windows, Chalifoux was trapped inside of his car while it quickly filled up with black smoke... Read more at cbc.ca

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SGI raises car insurance rates for some light…

by CBC News on Jul 24, 2017
3 out of 5 stars
CBC NEWS Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has upped auto insurance rates for light vehicles effective May 21.

The rates have been increased to match the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR) damage rate group table.

SGI's 2017 rate changes The CLEAR table, which uses insurance claims data, helps insurers assess how likely it is that a specific vehicle will be involved in a claim and what that claim will likely cost.

This includes claims caused by collisions, weather events, theft and other circumstances.

"These adjustments are revenue-neutral, they will not generate any extra money for SGI," Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave said in a statement. "We know that currently, owners of certain makes and models of vehicles are paying more than their actual costs, and others are paying too little. Read more at cbc.ca

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Hit a Deer

by Maria Bracko on Jul 18, 2017
5 out of 5 stars

I have nothing than good things to say about SGI, right after we hit a deer I immediately called and they were very helpful getting me a rental car as fast as they could since I was a long way from home. I had to go see a chiropractic for some minor injuries - so helpful with the steps I needed to take. It took a total of 2 weeks to find out and sign all the paper work needed to get the insurance $ for my car. I am now on the hunt for a new car. Thanks SGI for such great service.

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Do Not Use SGI

by Remember me on Jun 15, 2017
1.5 out of 5 stars

I was driving outside of the province not for the purpose of work or school, but had moved to Calgary in 2013. I didn't realize there's some unknown, unmentioned clause in SGI rules that is the registered owner must immediately (as in the second of) using the vehicle to leave the province make an address change and receive a Saskatchewan license with an Alberta address? Since I didn't do that I was denied my claim. They will try anything they can to get out of paying. And everyone who has a claim denied isn't ineligible, it's a horrible company

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SGI the ultimate Scammers

by Roy McGarry on Apr 21, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

I had an accident at less than 20 kmh fender bender with a mint condition 300 limited edition with 120000 kms only. It has been 5 weeks SGI hasn't even looked at it yet. They said it was approved for getting fixed, then 5 weeks later they want to look at it again and say the damage is over 13000 dollars... for a bumper and some paint. This is a scam and unbelievable. They hold the monopoly and know it. I have now lost my job and soon my home during this time as no city services go anywhere near my old work. And since we at week 5 and not even started the fix, looks like gonna lose everything anyway. Thanks, SGI

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Prices are cruel to the poor

by Mohamad Ibn Rabee Al-Zawahreh on Apr 15, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

They charge you if you get a ticket. So speeding? -2 safety points and $100 on top of the ticket itself? Happens again? $200-300-400 and so on up to a thousand. The reset period is THREE WHOLE YEARS WITHOUT A SINGLE TICKET FOR ANYTHING AT ALL. So SGI wants to put people in permanent debt or doesn't want people to drive at all. On top of $100+ cost of insurance, these safety points pile up because it's impossible not to get a single ticket in three years if you drive frequently. If you see the pattern; you'll be driving to work; TO PAY OFF SGI SO YOU CAN KEEP DRIVING. Corrupt and messed up

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