Every Saskatchewan driver has auto glass coverage through SGI — but the amount you pay out of pocket depends entirely on which type of coverage you have. The difference can be hundreds of dollars on the same windshield replacement.
Here’s a clear comparison of how SGI package policies and standard plate insurance work for auto glass, so you can understand what you have and make the smartest financial decision.
Standard SGI Plate Insurance — What Every Vehicle Has
When you register a vehicle in Saskatchewan, you automatically get standard plate insurance through SGI. This is the baseline coverage that comes with your registration — you don’t need to buy it separately.
For auto glass, standard plate insurance means a $700 deductible. You pay the first $700 of any glass replacement. SGI covers costs above that amount.
For many glass repairs — especially door glass, quarter glass, and windshield replacements on older vehicles — the total cost may be close to or under $700. In those cases, filing a claim doesn’t save you money, and paying out of pocket is the simpler option.
However, for newer vehicles (2018+) that require ADAS calibration after windshield replacement, the total cost frequently exceeds $700. In these situations, the standard deductible still saves you money compared to paying the full amount out of pocket.
SGI Package Policy (Auto Pak) — The Better Coverage
A package policy is additional insurance purchased through a broker, layered on top of your standard plate coverage. Package policies are sometimes called “Auto Pak” and come in different tiers with different deductible options.
For auto glass, a package policy typically provides a glass deductible of $50 or $100 — dramatically lower than the standard $700. Additional benefits include up to 3 free stone chip repairs per year with no deductible, the same direct-billing process (the shop files with SGI on your behalf), and the same zero impact on your safety rating and premiums.
The annual premium increase for adding road hazard glass coverage to a package policy varies, but it’s typically modest — often less than the cost of a single out-of-pocket chip repair.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s what you’d pay for a typical windshield replacement on a 2022 Toyota RAV4 in Saskatoon (estimated total cost: $850 including ADAS calibration):
With standard plate insurance ($700 deductible): You pay $700. SGI pays $150. You save $150 compared to paying the full $850 out of pocket.
With package policy ($100 deductible): You pay $100. SGI pays $750. You save $750 compared to out of pocket.
Out of pocket (no claim): You pay $850. SGI pays nothing.
For a stone chip repair (typical cost: $35):
With standard plates: Not covered — you pay $35 out of pocket.
With package policy: Free. No deductible. SGI pays the full amount.
How to Find Out What You Have
If you’re not sure whether you have a package policy or standard plates only, there are a few ways to check. You can look at your insurance documents for language about “package policy,” “Auto Pak,” or “glass deductible.” You can call your insurance broker and ask. Or you can call an auto glass shop — they can verify your coverage type in minutes using your plate number and customer number.
Should You Upgrade to a Package Policy?
If you don’t currently have a package policy and you drive regularly on Saskatchewan highways — where rock chips and windshield cracks are a fact of life — the math often favours upgrading.
Consider that a single windshield replacement out of pocket costs $350–$700+ (more with ADAS). A single chip repair is $25–$50. The annual premium increase for a package policy with glass coverage is often less than the cost of one chip repair.
Talk to your insurance broker about adding road hazard glass coverage to your policy. It’s one of the most practical insurance upgrades for Saskatchewan drivers.
The Bottom Line
Both standard plate insurance and package policies cover auto glass through SGI. The difference is your deductible: $700 with standard plates versus as low as $50 with a package policy. For windshield replacements — especially on newer vehicles — the savings from a package policy are significant.
Either way, the claim process is the same: the auto glass shop files the claim with SGI on your behalf. You just pay your deductible.
Call Showtime Auto Glass at (306) 952-3580 — we’ll check your coverage type and tell you exactly what you’d pay.
[Start your SGI claim →]