SGI unveils new claims process; has auto injury coverage recommendations approved
Times are changing in the automotive insurance industry in Saskatchewan.
In September, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) officially unveiled a new claims process for vehicle damage. Then, in October, the provincial government approved a number of recommendations put forward by SGI for changes to its auto injury coverage programs.
The new streamlined claims process is the result of a partnership between SGI and the auto body repair industry, which will allow Saskatchewan drivers involved in an accident to have everything from the damage estimate to completed repairs done within one accredited repair shop.
“We’re trying to give customers options. You can still come and see us following an accident, but chances are your repair could qualify for being estimated by a variety of shops closer to home,” says SGI assistant vice-president of Urban Claims and Salvage Paul McIntyre. “Time-saving is a driving factor from a customer perspective.”
SGI’s new program is fuelled by Mitchell Estimating technology. Mitchell’s advanced estimating system allows repair shops to automatically create collision repair estimates that are accurate, verifiable and readily accepted throughout the industry. The first electronic supplement was approved by SGI on May 18, 2013. About 20 repair firms in the province are already doing damage estimates and the majority of accredited repair firms are expected to be estimating by the end of the year. A list of repair firms qualified to do damage estimates is available on SGI’s website at www. sgi.sk.ca/online_services/locators/ bodyshops/index.html.
To become accredited for this new program, repair shops must meet certain requirements set out by SGI. Shops must: acquire the Mitchell technology; have the necessary repair equipment and tools, such as an appropriate paint booth and frame straightener machine; be Occupational Health and Safety compliant; and employ journeyman employees. Once accredited, repair firms must undergo training every year to keep up with damage estimate policies and procedures.
As McIntyre explains, there are many other checks and balances in place to ensure shops are qualified to provide their own estimates. A review and audit structure has been set up to ensure that what the shops are supplying SGI in terms of supplements and estimates are supported. All of the shops are also provided with an electronic monthly report card. It explains how many claims they did that month, the average severity and how well they handled those claims. The lower the mark, the more face-to-face meetings shops will have with an appraisal manager per year.
Meanwhile, SGI’s recommendations that were approved by the provincial government will mean big changes in the auto injury coverage field. Changes include improvements to both the Tort and No Fault programs to better meet the needs of customers. Changes to the injury program specific to motorcyclists were announced earlier this year and will be implemented for the 2016 riding season.
One of the big changes is that when an impaired driver causes a collision and is killed, an innocent party or the family impacted will be allowed to sue for pain and suffering or bereavement damages. An expansion has also been made to the list of offences that trigger the ability for an innocent party to sue for pain and suffering or bereavement damages to include: criminal negligence causing death or bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily injury, flight from a peace officer and dangerous operation while street racing.
The government will also be updating amounts paid for living expenses to reflect current market rates, increasing the overall amount available for assistance to those with cognitive impairment and implementing a process to regularly review the amounts for alignment with market rate. The practice of reducing income benefits by the amount a customer receives through Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability will end, while Tort income benefits will now maintain pace with minimum wage.
The changes follow consultations from a variety of stakeholders and groups in 2014 and early 2015 including current and former auto injury customers, representatives from the medical, legal and insurance communities, an injury review panel representing a cross-section of stakeholders, SGI employees who work with the program and close to 900 public survey respondents.
“Thank you to all customers who took the time to provide feedback and complete the online consultation, and a special thanks to the individuals on the Injury Review Committee,” Minister responsible for SGI Don McMorris says. “The committee helped us see the auto injury program from new perspectives. As a result, we’re making changes that we’re confident will make a real difference to people recovering after an auto collision.”
To read the full report of recommendations, visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca.