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Preparing for the amazing and horrific summer storms.

“I wish we had just a little more wind!” – said no one in Saskatchewan, ever. One thing about living in the prairies is that wind is inevitable. You can’t run from it, change it,redirect it or hide from it. However, due to the improved construction in today’s world, we are able to protect ourselves a lot better.

In many states down south, they have bunkers dug into the ground to protect themselves from tornadoes and other windstorms. We have basements in our houses that help protect us as well. Make sure you get yourself under the stairs and away from the windows if a tornado ever strikes near your home.

Lightning can also cause a fair amount damage, when lightning strikes from cloud to ground, it passes approximately, 1 billion (1,000,000,000) joules of energy. If that strikes your home, A nearby tree or power line, the damage can start to pile up.

So how can you protect yourself and your belongings from these types of natural disasters?

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from such events:

  • Installing hurricane straps to your trusses to protect your roof from blowing off the walls in extreme winds.
  • Installing a lightning rod to your house to protect yourself from a lightning strike/surge which would fry your appliances.
  • Have an electrician install some surge protection on your electrical panel to protect potential surges from hitting your appliances. (These have a limit on how many cycles/charges it can take.)
  • Check your roof to make sure you aren’t missing any shingles or any damage is present before the storm, and make sure you fix the roof after the storm to prevent further damage. Shingles/Roofing Material have a rating based on the size/severity of the wind/hail/storm damage it can take.
  • Install exterior siding on your house that can withstand this type of storm. Vinyl siding is fairly easy to blow off or get damaged by hail. However, hardiboard, stucco, brick or stone can withstand much more. There are all kinds of new and improved construction material available now, talk to a contractor or your local hardware store to find out what’s available.

What if I don’t have time to do those things and a storm is approaching,are there some things to do beforehand to prepare?

Some of the above things take a lot of money to do, or installing them on a finished home is hard to do. So you can’t always install those items, here are some quick tips on what to do when a storm is enroute.

  • Secure the Perimeter – Fasten down any loose equipment, move items indoors, remove any large trees or limbs that could damage any of your buildings or vehicles during a storm.
  • Fuel up – Make sure you have generators, equipment, fireplaces all fueled up with wood, gas and propane in case there is a long lasting power outage. Especially in the Saskatchewan Winter.
  • Protect the glass – you can purchase windstorm shutters, that are pre-fitted. These will help with preventing broken windows.
  • Backup/disconnect electronics – power surges can occur during storms make sure you have surge protectors installed or your electronics are disconnected.
  • Flood prevention – with most storms, comes a lot of rain. Make sure you have proper drainage, sump pumps, extended eavestroughs and remove any valuables off the floor in case this can’t keep up with the water.
  • Chemicals / Gas – Make sure any harmful chemicals or gas lines are disconnected in case of a breakage or some reaction that can occur during a storm.
  • Having a Plan – One of the biggest items on the list, is being ready and having a plan to carry out all these items above.
  • Understanding your Insurance Policy – Whether it’s for your business, farm, home or vehicles; make sure you understand the coverage you have beforehand. These policies are designed to protect you, but there are many different packages, deductibles and endorsements, and it is important to know what you have covered in the even that something terrible happens.

As always, we want you to enjoy this summer to the full potential. Protect yourself from the elements we cannot control; and to be as safe and prepared as possible. Have a great summer!

*Photo credit goes out to local photographers in Saskatchewan who posted publicly on Twitter. Thank you! 🙂

 

Easy Camping and Summer Vibes

What an amazing week this was! Warm weather, nice rain showers, a little thunder, a little lightning. Great for the farmers, gardens, grass and all without any bugs! I feel that is about to end very shortly, but that isn’t going to stop us from having an awesome summer. Since we live in Canada, we know that our summers are short. Like so many memes and posts on the internet suggest, “Last summer was amazing, I believe it fell on a Thursday.” That being said, we make the most of our short summer and here is some camping advice for you to use and hopefully make your summer an enjoyable one!

One of the groundbreaking things we heard of recently, was this thing called “Camp-Easy.”  The Saskatchewan Parks & Government have created “Camp-Easy” sites on certain Provincial Campgrounds which provides the equipment you need to camp, without you bringing all the major items. This is great for those people who want the full camping experience but can’t afford the equipment or you don’t want to purchase all the gear. The best part is, you don’t have to take anything down afterwards! “Lunch and no clean up! Can life get better?”

Where are these sites available?

You can call to book your Camp-Easy site by contacting one of the locations below.

(May 18 – Sept. 3, 2018 | 14-night maximum stay | $65/night):


What gear comes with these sites?

These sites include:

  • Large Tent on a wooden platform (14’x16’)
  • 2 Bunk Beds & 2 Singles (Sleeps 6)
  • Screened dining tent
  • Stove and Propane Tank
  • Lanterns – 2
  • Wash Bins – 2
  • Camping Chairs – 6
  • Roasting Sticks – 6
  • Axe


Other Camping information

There are many things to think about when you go camping. Here is a small checklist to make sure you’re prepared for your vacation.

  • Purchase your fishing licenses
  • Register and Insure your boat and camper trailers
  • Make sure you pack and have enough life jackets for everyone in the boat
  • Make sure your tubes and other inflatables hold air so you don’t have to find a patch
  • Go get bush pie makers! Now. Go get them…and Cherry Pie filling. You won’t be sorry!
  • Make sure you bring all the camp-easy food. Hotdogs, Burgers, S’more Kit, etc.
  • Sand toys for the beach. The kids will need it. And so will you.
  • Pedal Bikes to get around easily.
  • Barbecue, Table for BBQ, Lawn Chairs, and a few extra folding tables for convenience. We all know that picnic table gets filled up way to quick.
  • For the luxury camper, who can’t give up their electronics: your satellite dish, laptops, ipads, phone chargers, upgraded data plan. #Netflix #RainyDay
  • I recommend unplugging from the world, if possible, then you need: cards, games, books, toys, puzzles, bikes, and creativity! Enjoy the outdoors!
  • The essentials: toothbrush, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bug spray, various beverages & snacks (healthy ones of course), bedding/sleeping bags, thermarest or air mattress (for tenters), lanterns, matches/lighter, newspaper, paper plates and cutlery and water.

I’m sure I’m missing a few particular items, but that wouldn’t be camping if you didn’t forget something! Like your boat or your youngest child. 🙂

We hope this summer brings you a lot of joy and excitement. We hope you have warm days of fun in the sun and healthy rains to refresh your soul. That sounds cheesy, but we mean it. It is important to recharge in this busy life. Without taking time to “stop and smell the roses” once and a while, we will watch life pass us by. Enjoy this summer to the fullest, you deserve it!

Am I properly insured while riding my motorcycle?

 

It won’t be long until every other vehicle on the road will be a motorcycle. If it’s not a motorcycle it’s a Spyder, Moped, Electric Cycle, Dual Purpose Dirt bike, Scooter or Trike. There are a lot of benefits to riding a bike: fuel mileage, parking in tight spaces, off-road capabilities and much more. However, there are a lot of risks and things to consider before sitting on a motorcycle. We are going to touch on a bit of what you need to know before your ride and while you ride.

First of all, what is the process to getting a motorcycle license to ride one of these hogs? For first time riders in Saskatchewan, you will need to go through the Motorcycle Graduated Driver Licensing (MGDL) program. This program is a series of written exams and driving tests to help you handle a motorbike correctly. Depending on the size of the bike you use when you take your road test, will decide what size of bike you can operate with your license. These written exams can be taken at any major SGI Driver Exam Office by appointment only.

motorcycle-1

Once you are licensed and are in the market for purchasing a motorcycle, there are some safety tips you need to be aware of.

  • You must wear a safety compliant helmet
  • You must wear protective boots, pants, jacket & gloves
  • If you are a graduated driver, look into the restrictions you may have on your license.
  • When purchasing a motorcycle, it may need an inspection either from a licensed inspector (if purchased out of province) or an RCMP officer may wish to inspect the unit to confirm the serial number and determine if that unit has ever been stolen.
  • Make sure all your signal lights, headlights and brake lights are operational.
  • And of course, make sure your motorcycle is registered/permitted before use.
  • We recommend adding an extension policy on your motorcycle for additional liability, family security and a reduced deductible.

motorcycle-2

A notable change that happened last year (2017) is the option to have reduced injury coverage on your motorcycle to reduce the premium on your insurance. The majority of claims costs come from injury benefits that SGI is paying out for motorcycle accidents. Most accidents are very serious or fatal when it comes to operating motorcycles. So opting out of this injury coverage is a serious decision not to be taken lightly. Make sure you understand what you are doing before you opt out of this coverage. If you have a comprehensive disability or injury policy through your work or other avenue, then this may be an option for you. Confirm the coverage extends to motorcycling with your carrier prior to opting out of this coverage. For more information on the “Reduced No-Fault Coverage for Motorcycles.” Visit SGI’s website here or read the booklet here.  

 

There is a sense of power and excitement that comes with riding a motorbike. It is imperative that you take all the precautions you can before and while your riding- that could involve some training on how-to-ride, buying protective gear or purchasing an insurance policy. You need to make sure you are prepared and safe for the road. We want you to enjoy this summer to its full potential, so ride safe and have fun!

 

Why should I carry Hail Insurance on my crops?

Weather is one of those things that we all talk about….daily. It’s one of the worlds most common used “ice-breakers.” Speaking of ice breaking, hail can come in a hurry and do a whole lot of breaking. Whether (weather?) the damage occurs to your vehicle, house, garden or field, you should carry hail insurance on your property.

Where can I insure my crops?

While you can insure your crops for certain perils such as: Flood, Fire or Drought with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance, and you can purchase Hail Insurance coverage through our office or your local municipal office. We have 2 major carriers: Coop Hail Insurance & Palliser Insurance. Both companies are extremely reliable, with competent adjusters and great customer service.

How do I insure my crops?

When you come in to our office to insure your crops, you will need to know your land locations that these crops are located on. We will need to know the type of crops, and the number of acres that was seeded on each location and the value you want to insure per acre ($100/acre).

With that information, we are able to calculate a rate for your hail insurance. Each crop can withstand hail differently, so the rate can fluctuate based on the type of crop. For example, Lentils may have a rate of 1.75 x Basic Rate. Each company may vary on these surcharges, so it’s important to talk to a broker on which company offers the best products for your crop.

When does my policy become effective and for how long?

When a Hail Insurance policy is purchased, the policy becomes effective at 12PM (Noon) the following day. Most companies stop offering hail insurance coverage around August 15th. That deadline may come sooner if the insurance company has met their capacity. Policies expire on October 15th or when the crop is harvested before that time.

How long do I have to file a claim on my hail insurance?

If you notice your crop has been hit by a hailstorm, you have 72 hours to complete a “Notice of Loss” form and have that submitted via mail, fax, email or online. The Notice of Loss form is attached with every policy when they are issued. You cannot file a claim over the phone as the insurance company must have a completed Notice of Loss form before adjustment can proceed. If you need help filling out this form or submitting it; we would love to help you out.  

If you are busy harvesting when this hailstorm hits, it is important to understand the protocol on adjusting crops that need to be harvested.

  1. Where the crop is being turned under, cut for feed or straight combined; leave standing and undisturbed 20×20 foot strips, 100 feet in from the outside edge of the field in each corner.
  2. If the crop is ready for swathing, leave no crop standing. Swath it all down as the adjuster will do his adjustment from the swath. ***EXCEPTION: Leave standing
  3. Where the swathed crop is being harvested, leave an undisturbed 30-40 foot strip of swath, 100 feet or at least 3 rows in, from the edge of the field in each corner. For fields in excess of 80 acres leave an additional three strips down the centre of the field. Diagram below.

If a hail claim has been filed and sufficient undisturbed evidence of the crop has not been left for inspection, the question of liability is decided by the insurance company at head office.

field-strips for hail insurance claim during harvest
What if I cannot afford the premium for full coverage?
There are a number of ways to bring your costs down when insuring against hail damage. You can put a deductible on your policy. We recommend placing a smaller policy with full coverage ($100/acre) and then having a second policy on the same crop with a 20D deductible to reduce premium but provide value if you have a total loss or a large percentage of loss. For more information on deductibles, please contact our office.

You can also defer payment until October 1st if that would be beneficial. There is a 5% finance fee. But this way you can make payment at a later date. We also recommend purchasing on your credit card, as this will buy you some time based on when your monthly credit card payments come due.

There are many variables when purchasing your hail insurance. Come and get a quote from our offices to see how we can insure your land against a potential disaster. It is important to understand how a claim works and what is your responsibility when a hailstorm comes around. If you need more information about this process, please contact our office. That being said, good luck! We hope you have a successful year!

Do I need to worry about flood insurance?


“It’ll never happen to me!” – A common expression by many; until it does. I’m pretty sure most residents in Calgary and High River would have said similar statements prior to the flood in 2013. That flood amounted to over $5 billion dollars in damages. There have been other major disasters in Fort McMurray ($10 billion), Slave Lake ($850 million), High River & Lloydminster. 

As much as we like to think that we are out of harm’s way, anything can happen. It is important to be as prepared as possible. You won’t predict everything, but you can do your best to be prepared. 

The Saskatchewan Government had a disaster relief program called PDAP, that steps up to help relieve people in times of disaster. However, this doesn’t mean you can cancel your insurance policy because the government will pay for everything. Quite the opposite. PDAP doesn’t respond to every type of disaster and there needs to be government funds available. Also, to be an eligible claimant under the PDAP program, the claimant needs to prove he took all measures possible to protect their property – this includes insuring the property. If you have coverage available and you decline it, the PDAP program may not respond as you had the option to purchase the coverage.

Why am I talking about this?

Well as of this year, Flood Coverage is now available with most insurance carriers. Some companies offer full coverage – policy limits. Other companies have a capped amounts varying from $10,000 to $100,000. Some carriers have tied the coverage directly to the sewer backup coverage and have named it “Water Protection Coverage.” If you had sewer backup coverage this coverage was automatically added into your policy. It is important to check with your broker and see if you have this coverage on your policy. We understand that due to geographic location that this coverage may not be needed by you or it may be unavailable to you. Whichever case, we strongly suggest you look into the flood plains in your area, either through the water security agency or through the flood map. Flood Smart Canada is also a good resource for flood prevention.  

With this information you can make an educated decision, and not just a guess. We have seen many disasters happen overnight in areas that there “shouldn’t” have been a problem. Don’t be one of those headlines. If you opt out of the insurance coverage, and a disaster strikes, PDAP will ask for a copy of your insurance and if it shows you had the option to purchase Flood Coverage but you declined it, they have the ability to reject your claim for disaster relief. So again, it’s important to check with your broker.

There are different types of flood scenarios & coverages: 

  • Flood – the rising of, breaking out or overflow of a body of water or watercourse whether it is natural or man-made.
  • Surface water – water that is above ground on the surface where it doesn’t usually accumulate under ordinary circumstances. 
  • Ground water – water that is in the soil beneath the surface of the ground. Coverage is provided only when it’s sudden and accidental, and related to a flood or surface water event. 
  • Sewer Backup – Water or sewage that backs up, escapes or overflows from the sewer, sump or septic tank. 

Disaster can hit at any moment. Being located in the prairies has its advantages to avoiding earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and mudslides. However, this does expose us to high winds, hail, floods and forest or grassfires. Our job is not only to manage and insure those risks, but to make sure everyone is prepared and safe for when disaster strikes. If you have any questions about this coverage or any other concerns, please contact our offices and we can help you out.

Thanks for reading! Stay safe and take care!

The New PST – Who doesn’t love tax policy changes?

If you are like me, there is nothing more relaxing than sitting by the fire and reading of the annual provincial budget; either that or filing my income tax. Tis the season! 

In the 2018-19 provincial budget, the Provincial Government decided to remove the exemption of PST on used light vehicles and restore the trade-in allowance.  As a result all vehicles are now taxable. They have also removed the $3000 PST deduction and replaced it with a $5000 exemption. As an SGI broker we collect tax on behalf of the government. So please don’t shoot the messenger!

These changes were made effective April 11, 2018. We will have a few Q&A answers below to help you understand what these changes have done and how they will impact you.

Are there still exemptions for PST on used vehicle sales?
Yes, if you have purchased a used vehicle at a value of $5000 or less, PST will not be collected on this sale. However, we have seen instances where the red book value has overruled the bill of sale value and you are required to pay PST on the red book value. For example: You purchase a 2010 Chevrolet 1500 for a price of $4995. You got a good price on the truck as the body is beat up and the vehicle needs some definite work. However, when you come in to license the vehicle, the red book values that truck at $10,000. You will be required to pay PST on $10,000 = $600. We have discussed this with Sask Finance and although we don’t agree on this process, this is currently the practice in place. Sask Finance has an appeal process in place to try and recover your money. However, you need to talk to the Ministry of Finance directly on how to do that.  

So which vehicles, exactly, does this exemption apply to?
This applies to all non-commercial used vehicles registered for personal or farm use, including:
 – cars, SUVs, light vans & trucks (1 ton and less)
 – motorhomes and buses
 – heavy vehicles
 – campers
 – motorcycles & mopeds
 – snowmobiles
 – class T and F registered trailers

If I bought a vehicle for $10,000; does that mean the first $5000 is PST-exempt? (This is how the $3000 deduction worked. ie. first $3000 of the purchase price was PST-exempt.)
No, PST would apply to the full $10,000 or the red book value, whichever is greater.

What is the Red Book value?
This is an industry valuation of vehicles 10 years old and newer; it is used to determine the wholesale value of vehicles.

How does the trade-in allowance work?
With this change, the PST is calculated on the value of the newly purchased vehicle (new or used) less the trade-in value. For example, You purchase a vehicle at $20,000, but you trade in a vehicle worth $8,000. You’ll pay PST on the difference of $12,000.

If I bought a vehicle prior to the April 11th, 2018 deadline, and was unable to register it, do I have to pay PST?
Yes, for private sales, the deadline applies regardless of the date on the bill of sale. For more information visit the Ministry of Finance website or call 1-800-667-6102.

Are the rules for gifting vehicles to family members changing?
The current rules allowing vehicles to be gifted to qualifying family members (provided tax has been paid previously) is now extended to light vehicles as well. “Qualifying family members” are defined as: Spouse and common-law spouse; parent or step-parent; child or step-child, grandparent and step-grandparent; grandchildren and step-grandchildren; brothers, sisters, step-brothers & step-sisters; legal guardian; foster-parent; father-in-law, mother-in-law; son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

If you have a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) question:
Phone: (306) 787-6645   Toll-free: 1-800-667-6102  
Email: sask.tax.info@gov.sk.ca

As this can be a tricky subject and each situation may have different circumstances, we encourage you to give Sask Finance a call to help you out in your situation as they have more knowledge on the changes at hand. You can also contact our office and we would gladly help you out as best we can.