melloInsurance

Serving our clients, Serving our community

Lyndon Block

Delivering Insurance in a “Socially Distant” environment.

The past 2.5 weeks, our cities, province, country and world have gone from a casual “it’s just a flu” response to full on “lockdown.” It seems surreal that we have all been “sent to our rooms,” so to speak, to help the healthcare system from collapsing.

These seem like drastic measures, and it is (at the cost of our economy), but keeping our loved ones healthy and our health care workers safe, is always more important than money (at least that’s the standards that I was raised with). “As long as you have your health, you can always make more money.” That being said, it is important to keep mentally and physically healthy during this time of self-isolation.

During this time, some businesses NEED to continue so that we can continue to live. Grocery Stores, Trucking Companies, Fuel Stations, Hospitals, Paramedics, Care-workers, etc. all need to continue to work despite putting themselves in harms way. To them, we are extremely grateful for their relentless & exhausting efforts during this time. There are a lot of other non-essential businesses that have had to adapt to the new norm and figure out how to work without going to work. This requires working from home or creating a delivery based system to their customers.

At Block’s Agencies, we fortunately had remote access capabilities, into our brokerage software already in place. We created data security measures to keep our data private and secure, and gave our teams the ability to access our client data from anywhere; giving us the ability to still operate as if nothing had changed.

During this stressful time, the government has made it very clear that gatherings and public outings should be minimized at all cost. So we have locked our doors to “self-isolate” and are trying our best to help flatten the curve. However, truckers still need to truck, drivers still need to drive and despite the lockdown, the world hasn’t stopped. So what are we doing to help deliver our customers the same service behind locked doors. Here is some Q&A to help answer some of those concerns:

Q.  I still need to renew my driver’s licenses and registrations. How can we do this?

A.  By calling, texting or emailing one of our branches (contact info at the bottom of this page) or by utilizing the MySGI tool on our website. You can text us at 306-992-2606.

Our team has call-forwarding and our email accounts are set up to track and monitor your requests. We can handle (pretty much) every situation for SGI inquiries, and if we can’t, we will find the source to help you out and get you looked after. Currently, we are asking clients to come pick up the licenses, registrations and plates outside our door. We have a drop-off / pickup area for people to pick up their new plates or other documentation that they may need.

Q.  What if I have an insurance claim? Is an adjuster still going to come out to investigate?

A.  It depends on the claim. Not all claims require someone in attendance, however, in the event that a large fire, accident or other event were to occur, there would likely be someone to attend the scene to make sure everything was looked after and that everybody was safe.

Q.  I bought a house. How can I get insurance on it? 

A.  If you call or email one of our branches or brokers, we can get you started remotely. We can set up a conference call or ZOOM conference to have a face-to-face meeting if that is what you would like. We have e-signature software set up and can handle all our applications and contracts via secure email.

Q.  Is this COVID-19 pandemic covered on my business policy as a “business interruption?”

A.  We would have to submit a claim request to your insurance provider to see if your policy wordings responded to this type of loss. However, based on the initial assessment of the insurance industry as a whole, it is rather unlikely as business interruption coverage responds when there is a direct loss from an insured peril (ie. fire or wind), then this coverage is triggered to that corresponding claim. Some wordings exclude pandemic, some are vague on the exclusion, so it is worth submitting the claim to see what the interpretation of your wordings will be.

Q. How long will your operations continue in this manner? When will things turn back to normal?

A.  As you can imagine, our operations will be decided on the recommendations of the Chief Health Officers of Canada and Saskatchewan. When they recommend that we can continue business as “usual.” We will update you and let you know when our doors have reopened.

We are grateful for your patience as we continue to navigate through these unknown waters. Your business is very important to us and we appreciate your support. Our people and our communities are our main priority and we want to be here for you during this stressful and chaotic time. Thank you for your continued patronage. It does not go unnoticed.

How do you get a new serial number for your vehicle?

Being in the province of Saskatchewan, we have had the privilege to be able to build our own vehicles (as long as they fall under the Provincial Vehicle Standards & Traffic Safety Act). Many people have built their own trailers or have rebuilt vehicles and require a new VIN to be assigned to the newly constructed vehicle.

Currently, SGI or any SGI Motor Licence Issuer, would be able to assign a new VIN number to homebuilt trailers. And you would have to deal with SGI claims or vehicle safety standards to inspect and assign the serial number. However, as of March 16th, 2020, those regulations will change and you will no longer be able to obtain those serial numbers from SGI. 

Effective March 16th, 2020, SGI has partnered with VIN Verification Services Inc, to assist with assigning these new VIN serial numbers. If you want a new serial number assigned to your vehicle, you will have to visit assignedvin.ca and apply for a new serial number. 

How much is this going to cost me?

  • If you are requiring a serial number for a motorized vehicle or heavy trailer, it will cost you $500 plus tax for this serial number.
  • If you require a serial number for a single-axle trailer, this will cost you $175 plus tax.

Alright, now what happens?

  • You will be contacted by VIN Verification Services (VVS) to make arrangements on how this VIN will be assigned. Examination will happen within 30 days of receiving payment.
  • An investigator will visit the customer to review, inspect and validate the vehicle or trailer as well as the ownership documents.
  • For more information on the process and what goes into the inspection, please click here.

If approved, a VIN will be issued and applied to the vehicle or trailer on site. The customer will then receive documentation once the VIN has been issued, which they will use to register the vehicle.

Why are they making these changes?

This process will help reduce crime by stopping the fabrication of unapproved and false VIN numbers, it will help with consumer protection as well as adding no additional costs to our government for these services. If you would like more information, please contact our office or visit assignedvin.ca.

Be my valentine!…and also…insurance stuff.


Do you love your family? That can be an easy question or a complicated one. We get incredible mileage out of this old tired word, “Love,” don’t we?  We tell someone we love them and then in the very same breath we say how we “love pizza” or “love that show Grace and Frankie!”

Some other cultures define love in a more broken down way. I like the idea of splitting the word love into segments as I don’t feel it truly does justice to all the usages we have for it. In Hebrew for example, they have 3 words for love. Raya, Ahava & Dod. 

  • The word “Raya” is used in context with a friend or companion. We would use this in the context of “She’s my best friend” or “I really enjoy this person or thing.” 
  • The word “Ahava” is deep affection, a sense of desire to be with someone so much your heart aches. You can think of little else. 
  • Lastly is the word “Dod.” This word is the erotic side of the coin. Where your chemistry and physicality of the relationship comes into form. 

So again, I ask, do you love your family?  What does that mean for your spouse, your children or your extended family? The reason I ask, is so often we hear the expression “I would do anything for my family!” and “Family is the most important thing,” and yet so often, we overlook them. We look past their needs and are only out for our own selfish gains.

I want you to strongly consider what is important to your family, your close friends or co-workers and see what you can do to show them that you love them and cherish them. Might be as simple as buying them a coffee, a surprise night out with a babysitter already lined up, or showing up to your kids ballgame or dance recital. Love can be expressed in action, words, or time.

Wait a minute, isn’t this an insurance blog?

Yes, yes it is. Buried way down (if you’re still reading) we have a “lovely” insurance plug. We recommend everyone to purchase a life insurance policy. This is to help protect your loved ones from financial hardship if something terrible happens to you. You don’t want to burden them with funeral costs, lost income, mortgage payments, car payments, daycare costs, all these expenses on top of the fact that their loved one is no longer around. These days can be dark. We want to help shed light onto those days. Please talk to one of our life insurance specialists to get your family set up right. These policies put in place at a young age are fairly inexpensive and can help your family immensely if you were tragically taken from this earth.

How “roaring” are these 20s going to be?


We are on Day 7 of this new decade. The “Roaring 20s.” It seems very strange to think that this past year was the end of the decade. It has felt like since 2000, we have been living in a new era of the “2000s” and the perspective of time has been skewed. I often think, “Oh a 2001 truck is still pretty new!” Then realize that in 10 years, it will be an antique! Wild! Time is just flying by. To think that every day now revolves around online streaming and internet content and it has only been “mainstream” since 1993! Most of us had dial-up internet through the Y2K Armageddon Debacle. Now, between Netflix, Amazon, and Social Media, our lives pivot on the axis of this new Net-World.

So looking forward, what is to come? What will the next decade bring? These are the exciting questions that many are asking, and many others are building and creating. Tesla continues to create innovative autonomous products. Google, Apple & Microsoft are developing new technology all the time to house all this data that we continue to create. To put that into perspective, YouTube has 500 hours of fresh video content added every minute.That works out to 30,000 hours of new content per hour, and 720,000 hours of new content per day. No wonder we are addicted. There is no way we can keep up to that amount of content. This is unreal. To think, that just 25 years ago, television ENDED at 12pm every night. Our minds are always on, because the content never stops. It is hard to grasp and actually find time to shut down and unwind. 

Just like these companies and the products they offer, insurance companies are continuing to innovate and develop new technology to help their consumers as well. In fact, Block’s Agencies just created “Saskatchewan’s FIRST Digital Insurance Brokerage” called Mello Insurance. With Mello Insurance, you can purchase Condo or Renters Insurance online INSTANTLY. You can also make billing changes, policy changes ANYTIME, online through your customer portal. We are currently developing Home, Auto & Travel Insurance products and should be up in early 2020.

Mello Insurance offers the very best coverage, with the most convenience for our customers. We understand that business doesn’t end at 5pm and so with our platform, you can continue to make those changes on your time. We also understand that in the event of a claim, you still want people in your corner; so even though we are a digital company, we still have great people who will continue to support you through your hardships and give you that small town customer service you expect.

Technology continues to advance and blow our minds. In our industry, we know we need to continue to advance, however, we also know it is people that are at our core and make our business valuable. We know a robot will not have the same level of customer service and bedside manner as an actual person does, when your basement is flooded. However, we know that you want to shop, be efficient, and make changes to your policy on your own time. So we are working around the clock to offer every level of service imaginable.

With that in mind, as we move into the twenties, we need to continue to think outside the box and push ourselves. Whether it is in our own business, our work ethic, trying to be healthier or in helping the environment. Let us be better and work together to make this decade the best one yet.

Driving students to an event? What coverage should I have?

Saskatoon Hilltops (Photo credit: Saskatoon Starphoenix)


The School season has officially dropped or “fall”en. (Ha! Knee Slapper – Dad jokes. Gotta love ’em!) With that in mind, many sports activities have started and as parents, teachers or coaches we will get heavily involved, whether it’s with fundraisers, taking kids to practices or games, or organizing home tournaments. 

When travelling to these sporting events, it is important to make sure that your drivers are alert and that they have proper coverage. When you have a van or SUV filled with football or hockey players, things can get a little rambunctious and the driver can be easily distracted by the people or loud music in the vehicle. These distractions to a new driver can severely hinder their ability to drive accurately and with undivided attention.

Most school divisions are starting to filter who can drive and who can’t. Which is a good idea. They should collect drivers abstracts and other claims documentation to make sure that your students are being driven by responsible adults. They are also requiring extension auto policies to be purchased as well. This isn’t so you have a “lesser deductible” if a claim arises. That is a bonus, but that is not the reason they want you to have this policy.

There are 2 coverage’s that come with an auto pak that are underrated and undervalued. Third Party Liability and Family Security. 

What is Third Party Liability? 

This coverage is to protect the driver if he were ever sued for negligence while operating the motor vehicle. When an accident occurs, it is easy to point out the blame. However, there are never cool heads during a claim and especially following an accident. Having liability coverage allows the lawyers and insurance companies to go to work for you, on your behalf, to make sure that you aren’t going to be financially crippled when the claim finally settles. We strongly recommend carrying 2 million liability minimum. This can be purchased for under $50/year. Most inexpensive coverage you can buy. 

What is Family Security? 

This coverage is (kind of) the opposite of liability coverage. Family Security kicks in if you are in an accident with an un-insured or under-insured driver. The person who is at-fault may not have any coverage or very minimal. This can be a serious issue. So to protect yourself from litigation costs and small claims court frustrations – trying to get money from someone who likely doesn’t have much, this Family Security makes sure that you and the passengers in your vehicle are looked after. This coverage will pay for your additional costs – such as: medical costs, hospital bills, lost income, etc. This coverage comes with a 1 million or 2 million dollar limit, depending on the liability limit you carry. Oh and want to hear the best part. This coverage is INCLUDED in the $50 you spend on the liability coverage!!!! YOU DON’T EVEN NEED TO PAY FOR THIS!!!! It’s a no brainer to buy this liability policy!

For $4 a month, you can protect yourself from financial ruin in case you are at-fault in an accident, PLUS you can protect your passengers from unwanted medical bills and financial restrictions that come from being involved in an accident. Protect you and your loved ones today. Call one of our offices and get this set up. It takes less than 5 minutes to get properly covered!

Traffic Tickets and the Aftermath


A common concern after being pulled over by the Five-O, is “what kind of consequences am I going to face?” “What is the fallout going to be?” This varies depending on the person. Your experience as a driver (number of years), your claims history, whether you are a new driver (learner/graduated driver) and whether or not you’ve had a rough track record with the law. 

In Saskatchewan, SGI controls the regulations of our driving system. They have two programs that monitor your driving habits. 1. The Driver Improvement Program (DIP) and 2. The Safe Driver Recognition Program. These programs are designed to help safe drivers benefit from good driving habits and bad drivers paying additional premium for their higher risk behavior. 

  1. The Driver Improvement Program tracks and monitors all the driving records for Saskatchewan drivers. This program is designed to help remove high risk driving habits, by penalizing those who show high-risk driving behaviors (ie. DUI, Texting and driving, at-fault accidents, etc.) They do this by applying sanctions against people who continue to exude these bad behaviors. This includes: fines, driver license re-testing, suspensions and traffic safety workshops like “driver improvement training.” 
  2. Safe Driver Recognition Program – this is an incentive program to reward those who practice safe driving habits. Based on the scale it determines your discounted rate, with 0 being the base rate. If you end up dropping below 0 (based on bad driving habits) you could face financial penalties. 

Points

Discount
Neutral Zone

0

Premium Base

1

 2%
2

4%
3 6%
4

8%
Good Driver Zone

5

 10%

6

12%
7

14%
8 16%

9

18%
10

20%

11

 20%
12

20%
13

20%

14

20%
Great Driver Zone

15

 20%

16

20%

17

20%

18

20%

19

20%

20

20%

21

21%
22

22%
Safest Driver Zone

23

 23%

24

24%
25

25%

Financial Penalties

Once you are in the penalty zone, you must drive with extreme caution as these fines can compound. For example. If you are at a -5 rating, you will already have paid a fine of $250 to SGI for the demerits. If you were to have an at-fault accident and drop -6 points to -11, you would now face a fine of $550. If you were to have a failure to stop at stop sign ticket the same year, you would drop an additional 4 points to -15 and would be charged $750 over and above the traffic fine issued by the officer. 

Points

Penalty per Incident
($1,000 Max)

-1

 $50
-2

$100

-3

 $150
-4

$200
Penalty Zone

-5

 $250
-6

$300

-7

 $350
-8

$400

-9

 $450
-10

$500

How do I leave the Penalty Zone? 

Driving safely without incidents is the only way to escape the Penalty Zone. You can do this by driving 1 year at a time to crawl out year by year. After 3 consecutive years of safe driving, you will snap back to zero on the scale and will start accumulating safety discounts the following year.

These discounts are applicable to personal vehicles that you register under your personal name. If you have a business or farm corporation, you would fall under the Business Recognition Program.

What is the Business Recognition Program? 

This program rewards businesses that have a good claims history, offering a potential discount of up to 15% on their basic insurance. This is available in almost all vehicle classes, including – A, C, D, IRP, F, L PB, PC, PS, PT, LV.

This discount is based on the loss ratio or premiums paid to claims incurred. If you have more claims paid than premiums paid, you could fall into a surcharge zone where you need to pay more for your insurance as you have become higher risk. To learn more about this program, please click here. 

It is always important to practice safe driving habits and to always be prepared before operating a vehicle. Making sure the vehicle is registered and your driver’s license is valid is a crucial piece of information as those fines are not only $580, but you can be stuck with the entire cost of the claim as your insurance is not applicable, whether or not you are at-fault or not. This can be financially devastating, so PLEASE, double check this to make sure before operating a vehicle. We want you and your family to arrive to your destination safe and sound. As SGI says, “take care out there!”