We strive at Al Hattie Insurance is to ensure that as a policy holder at our office you are properly covered under your insurance to cover modern claims scenarios in Saskatchewan. In years past, $1 million in liability coverage to a home, tenant, condo, or auto policy may have seemed more than enough. Unfortunately, this year has seen several claims rising not only above the $1 million but $2 million mark. Due to this trend, we are making sure that our customers are aware of the rising cost of fire and other claims to make sure they are fully covered in case of an accident.

A major fire claim in May this year was one of several incidents that show that rising cost of living and growing density in the city and province inevitably are leading to higher and higher claims. As people's busy lives don't always leave them enough time to or to study the claims market, we strive to make sure that you as the insured are provided with coverage that will do what it is supposed to in case of an emergency; make sure you are going to be covered in case of incident.

As of Jan. 1st 2014 all home, condo, tenant, and auto policies are going to be automatically renewed with $2 million liability coverage. We have unfortunately seen claims in the province that are well exceeding the previous standard of $1 million liability coverage and we don't want you to be paying for insurance and still end up with an enormous bill at the end of the day when an accident occurs. On most policies, to raise liability coverage from $1 million to $2 million will only see an increase of $1-$2 per month per unit on your current policy. $2 million liability coverage won't be mandatory, but will now be recommended for all policies as a minimum limit. If you feel like you are at risk of needing higher coverage, it is possible to also purchase up to $10 million liability coverage when you add an 'Umbrella' liability policy.

If you have questions regarding your policy, getting your coverage changed or increased, or don't know what coverage is best for your needs, please call us (306-955-2700 or toll free 1-888-450-2700) or stop by our office at 3020C Arlington Ave and talk to one of us.

Vehicle accidents can be anywhere from annoying to expensive to deadly, and winter driving conditions only ramp up the odds of having a collision. To help protect you, your family, your neighbourhood and your pocketbook here are some essential winter driving tips from SGI. Even if you've been driving icy Saskatchewan roads for decades there is no better time for a refresher than now! 

• Be sure to wipe loose snow off the hood of your vehicle so that it doesn't blow onto your windshield and obstruct your vision while you drive.
• Ensure that your headlights, taillights and licence plates are visible, and that your windows are completely defrosted before you hit the road.
• If possible, switch to winter tires. Their deep treads are ideal for clearing away snow, giving you maximum traction and control.
• Studded tires are a good choice on wet roads when the temperature is near zero. However, they don't outperform winter tires in freezing conditions.
• Check the tire pressure often to help prevent a blowout. Your owner's manual or the tire's sidewall will indicate the proper pressure - usually between 30 and 33 lb/in² for an average passenger car. Just don't forget that tires lose pressure at the rate of 1 lb/in² for every 5° C drop in temperature.

Winter driving guidelines

With so much attention paid to winter driving preparations, it's easy to forget about the driving itself.

• When you're on the road, remember to give yourself more time to reach your destination. Start your trip slowly, testing your braking and steering to 'get a feel' for the road.
• Once you've reached a level of comfort, you can gradually increase your speed. The key is to maintain control of your vehicle at all times, even if that means driving under the posted speed limit.
• Stay alert as you approach intersections. Scan the road for traction, such as sand or bare pavement, and always accelerate and decelerate gradually.
• If you do find your vehicle skidding, remain calm and take your foot off the accelerator. Don't lock the brakes. Instead, brake steadily, look where you want to go and steer in that direction.
• Try to avoid using cruise control on the highway during the winter. Icy sections on otherwise dry surfaces can cause your wheels to spin, compromising your control of the vehicle and putting you at risk of a collision.
• Leave at least a 3-second following distance between your vehicle and the 1 in front of you. If the driver ahead of you suddenly brakes, you'll have the time and space needed to stop safely, ensuring that you and everyone on the road arrives at their destination safely.

Fall is quickly approaching, and while hopefully everyone has had their fair share of summer it is time to start thinking about your seasonal homes and vehicles and a few tips that can save you money this fall on your insurance and ensure you're properly covered through the winter. Motorcycles, trailers, and summer cars are examples of seasonal vehicles that you may have going into storage soon, and it's important to have proper coverage and how to avoid unnecessary fees. Make sure seasonal vehicles are a part of an auto policy before cancelling plates to ensure you get better rates and proper coverage while in storage. Vehicles must be added to an auto policy to ensure coverage while in storage and you will save money by receiving a substantially better rate when cancelling plates. In the case of motorcycles, cancelling your plates after the vehicle has been added to an auto policy allows you to pay an often smaller flat rate while cancelling them without being added to an auto policy results in a fee based on dollar value of the motorcycle. It's important to note that your home policies do not cover these vehicles.

Please feel free to phone us (1-888-450-2700) or stop by our office to check that other seasonal property like boats or ATVs are properly covered and that your seasonal home coverage is correctly valued throughout the winter. Further information and clarifications can be found here.

This summer SGI Canada introduced a revamped approach to cargo insurance called 'Cargo Secure'. This new package was designed to add more coverage, innovative new features and preferred rates. It was also designed with simplicity in mind, removing much of the fine print.

"In developing Cargo Secure, SGI Canada wanted to rethink cargo insurance coverage from the ground up. Most cargo Insurance policies were developed decades ago around the idea of insuring only the minimum requirement of the law, and had very little to do with addressing the needs of the trucking industry."

To further address the needs of the trucking industry SGI Canada has included the following as part of their standard coverage with Cargo Secure:

- All-risks coverage
- Blanket all vehicles
- Blanket all commodities
- Loading and unloading
- $100,000 30-day warehouse (owned or non-owned locations)
- Erecting, dismantling or installing (in conjunction with In Transit)
- Goods of others
- Owned goods
- $5,000 per loss / $25,000 annually for contractual penalties
- $25,000 debris removal (in addition to what is already provided)
- Defense costs
- $25,000 freight charges
- Liberalization clause
- Cross liability clause
- $5,000 theft or hijacking reward
- Enhanced valuation clause (actual cash value)
- Enhanced definition of In Transit
- Mechanical breakdown coverage
- $25,000 alcohol and tobacco limit
- $25,000 livestock limit
- $25,000 painting, statuary and fine arts limit
- $25,000 tarps, chains, straps and onboard electronics limit
- Goods In Transit includes by land as well as regularly scheduled airlines, rail car, ferry or  transfer barge

For more details on Cargo Secure don't hesitate to call our office at 800-450-2700. For an online quote please download and fill out the  Motor Truck Cargo Questionnaire.pdf (870.58 kb) and email it to us at broker@alhattieinsurance.ca.

We would like to thank everyone who came out (despite a little weather) to our mall's annual Customer Appreciation Day on June 8th! All of the events were a great success and we are looking forward to doing it all again next year.

A big thanks to the people from Shred-It, the team from Child Find for running the Child ID Clinic, and the people from SGI who ran a 'record setting' Car Seat Clinic, checking 36 car seats. Also a thank you to everyone who could make a donation to the Saskatoon Food Bank.

She was the big winner of the $500 gift card to WalMart!