DOES SGI COVER
TOWING?
Most Saskatchewan drivers assume SGI or CAA will cover any tow. The reality is more complicated — and knowing the difference before you're stranded saves you time, money, and stress.
SGI covers towing only when your vehicle isn't driveable after a covered collision with an active insurance claim. It does not cover breakdowns, ditch recovery, dead batteries, lockouts, or any roadside assistance.
WHAT SGI COVERS
If you're in a covered accident and your vehicle isn't driveable, SGI will arrange and pay for a tow to the nearest approved repair facility.
SGI covers the tow to the closest qualified shop — not the shop of your choice if it's farther away. The difference in distance comes out of your pocket.
Towing is only covered as part of an active claim. You'll need a claim number, and the tow must be approved through SGI's process.
WHAT SGI DOESN'T COVER
Engine failure, blown transmission, overheating — SGI doesn't cover towing for mechanical issues, even if you have full coverage.
Slid off the road on black ice but didn't hit anything? That's not a collision claim. SGI won't pay for the winch truck to pull you out.
Roadside assistance isn't part of SGI's auto fund coverage. You need CAA, a private tow company, or you're on your own.
Truck won't start in your driveway? Stuck in your farmyard? SGI only covers incidents on public roads as part of a claim.
SGI pays for the nearest approved facility. If you want your vehicle taken to your preferred mechanic across town, you cover the extra distance.
None of these basic roadside services are covered by SGI. You'll need a private provider.
WHAT ABOUT CAA?
CAA fills the gap SGI leaves — but the coverage depends on your plan, and rural Saskatchewan wait times can be significant.
Five kilometers barely gets you off the highway. If you break down between towns in rural Saskatchewan, you're paying out of pocket for the rest.
Covers most situations in central SK. Includes battery boost, lockout, and fuel delivery. But there are annual call limits and wait times can be long in rural areas.
Best coverage for long-distance. But CAA dispatches the nearest available provider — in rural Saskatchewan, that's often a long wait.
Important: In Saskatchewan, CAA collision towing is handled through SGI, not CAA directly. If you're in an accident, the tow goes through SGI's process regardless of your CAA membership.
WHEN YOU NEED A PRIVATE TOW
Most towing situations in Saskatchewan fall outside what SGI or CAA cover — or where their coverage is too slow or too limited. Check our Saskatchewan towing rates guide for typical pricing. If your vehicle is being written off and you're wondering what to do with it, our cash for cars service buys insurance write-offs and tows them away free. Here's when calling a local tow company is the right move.
No collision = no SGI claim. CAA may not have a provider nearby. You need a local tow company with winch trucks who knows the terrain.
SGI doesn't cover mechanical failures. CAA Basic only covers 5 km. A private tow gets you to your mechanic, not just the nearest shop.
SGI doesn't cover boosts. CAA covers it but wait times spike during cold snaps when everyone's battery dies at once. A direct call gets you moving faster.
Neither SGI nor CAA covers agricultural equipment. You need a heavy-duty tow company with the right rigging.
SGI doesn't offer lockout service. CAA does, but the nearest CAA-dispatched provider might be an hour away. A local crew is there in 20 minutes.
SGI only pays for the nearest facility. With a private tow, you choose where your vehicle goes.
SGI & TOWING FAQ
SGI WON'T COVER IT?
Most towing situations aren't covered by insurance. Save our number — we're available 24/7 for breakdowns, ditch recovery, lockouts, boosts, and anything else Saskatchewan roads throw at you.