Sask. approves 4.2% auto insurance hike

The cost of insuring many vehicles will rise in Saskatchewan after new rates were approved by the provincial government. (CBC file)

More than half of vehicle owners in Saskatchewan will see their insurance rates go up starting Nov. 1, the province announced Wednesday.

Rates are being hiked for 55 per cent of those with Saskatchewan Government Insurance coverage. They'll pay an average of $55 more a year.

About 13 per cent of drivers will see their rates drop by an average of $21 per vehicle. The rest will see no change.

On average, there will be a 4.2 per cent increase.

Motorcycle owners are being hit with the biggest increase: 24 per cent.

It's the first increase of its type since 2000, the government said.

The government said it is rebalancing rates to better reflect actual costs for the different classes of vehicles.

The increase had been previously approved by the province's rate-review panel. Cabinet gave final approval on Wednesday.

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