Saskatchewan Hit and Run Laws: SGI Rules & Penalties (2026)

Table of Contents (Click to Expand)

• Federal Criminal Code (Section 320.16)
• Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Act Requirements
• What to Do After an Accident (Step-by-Step)
• When is a Hit and Run a Summary vs. Indictable Offense?
• Hitting an Unattended Vehicle or Property
• Reporting Requirements and Deadlines (SGI)
• Penalties and Safe Driver Recognition (SDR) Points
• Insurance Implications (No-Fault vs. Tort)
• How is Fault Determined in Saskatchewan?
• Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims
• Evidence Needed for Conviction
• Legal Defenses
• Frequently Asked Questions

In Saskatchewan, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious violation of both The Traffic Safety Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. Drivers are legally obligated to stop and exchange information regardless of who is at fault.

With Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) acting as the mandatory public insurer, the consequences of a hit and run extend beyond court fines, they can lead to significant financial penalties through the Safe Driver Recognition program and loss of insurance coverage.

Federal Criminal Code Section 320.16

The most severe penalties for hit and run come from the federal Criminal Code. Section 320.16 makes it a crime to fail to stop at the scene of an accident.

Section 320.16 (1) requires every driver involved in an accident to:

• Stop their vehicle;
• Give their name and address; and
• Offer assistance to anyone who is injured or appears to need help.

Federal Penalties:

• Summary Conviction: Fines up to $5,000 and/or jail up to 2 years less a day.
• Indictable Offense (Bodily Harm): Prison term up to 14 years.
• Indictable Offense (Death): Prison term up to life.

Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Act Requirements

Provincially, The Traffic Safety Act governs driver conduct. Section 253 (Duty to Report Accident) and related sections outline specific responsibilities.

Duties under the Act:

• Remain at the scene: You must not leave until you have provided all required information.
• Provide Information: You must give your name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration to the other driver or property owner.
• Render Assistance: You must help anyone who is injured, including arranging transport to a hospital if necessary.

Failing to comply results in provincial charges, which carry fines and demerit points but do not result in a criminal record (unless charged under the federal Code).

What to Do After an Accident (Step-by-Step)

If you are involved in a collision in Saskatchewan, take these steps to comply with the law and protect your insurance claim:

1. Stop Immediately: Pull over safely. Do not leave the scene.
2. Check for Injuries: Call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is a fire or hazard.
3. Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, license number, and plate number.
4. Witnesses: Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
5. Photos: Take pictures of the damage and the scene.
6. Move Vehicle (If Safe): If vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the side of the road (unless there is a serious injury/death).
7. Report to SGI: You can file your claim online via SGI’s Auto eClaim or call the claims center.
8. Report to Police (If Required): Police must be notified if there are injuries, death, hit and run, impaired driving, or if a vehicle needs towing and no police are present.

When is a Hit and Run a Summary vs. Indictable Offense?

Prosecutors decide how to proceed with Criminal Code charges:

• Summary: For “lesser” hit and run offenses (e.g., minor property damage only). Faster proceedings, lower max penalties.
• Indictable: For serious offenses involving significant harm or reckless disregard. Can lead to lengthy prison sentences.

Hitting an Unattended Vehicle or Property

If you hit a parked car or property (like a fence or sign) and the owner is not there:

1. Stop: Do not drive away.
2. Locate Owner: Attempt to find the owner of the vehicle or property.
3. Leave a Note: If you cannot find the owner, leave a written note in a visible place (e.g., under the wiper) with your name, address, driver’s license number, and plate number.
4. Report to Police: Depending on the damage amount, you may need to report this to the police as well.

Reporting Requirements and Deadlines (SGI)

SGI acts as the central hub for accident reporting in Saskatchewan.

You must report to POLICE if:

• There is bodily injury or death.
• A driver is impaired.
• It is a hit and run (you are the victim).
• A vehicle needs to be towed.
• Out-of-province vehicles are involved.

You must report to SGI if:

• There is damage to property or vehicles.
• The damage exceeds $2,000 (combined damage).

If the damage is minor (under $2,000, no injuries, no hit and run), you may not need a police report, but you should still report to SGI to protect your coverage.

Penalties and Safe Driver Recognition (SDR) Points

Penalties in Saskatchewan are two-fold: legal fines and SGI insurance penalties.

Safe Driver Recognition (SDR): A conviction for a Criminal Code hit and run will likely drop you deep into the “Penalty Zone” on the SDR scale. This results in a one-time financial penalty (often $500 or more depending on how far you drop) and loss of insurance discounts.

Insurance Implications (No-Fault vs. Tort)

Saskatchewan residents can choose between two auto injury coverage products:

1. No-Fault Coverage (Default): Provides comprehensive benefits for injuries regardless of fault. You generally cannot sue for pain and suffering.
2. Tort Coverage: Provides lower fixed benefits but allows you to sue for pain and suffering and other losses if another driver is at fault.

For Hit and Run Victims:

• If you have No-Fault, SGI covers your medical rehab and income loss. You cannot sue the unknown driver.
• If you have Tort, you claim against your own policy’s unidentified motorist coverage.
• Property Damage: You will likely have to pay your deductible (typically $700) if the hit and run driver is not identified. If you catch the driver, SGI may waive your deductible.

How is Fault Determined in Saskatchewan?

SGI adjusters determine fault based on the rules of the road and witness accounts.

• If you flee the scene, SGI will almost certainly find you 100% at fault for the collision.
• This means you must pay your deductible, you lose SDR points, and you may be liable to repay SGI for damage to the other vehicle if your coverage is voided due to criminal conduct.

Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims

If you have Tort coverage and wish to sue:

• Personal Injury: Generally 2 years from the date of the accident.
• Property Damage: Generally 2 years.

It is vital to report hit and runs to SGI and police immediately. Delaying reporting can lead SGI to deny your claim on the basis of “prejudice” (inability to investigate).

Evidence Needed for Conviction

To convict a driver of hit and run, the Crown or police must prove:

• Identity: That you were the driver. This is the most common defense point.
• Knowledge: That you knew an accident happened.
• Failure to Act: That you voluntarily left without providing information.

Evidence often includes security camera footage, dashcams, eyewitness descriptions, and physical evidence like broken plastic matching your car.

Legal Defenses

• “I didn’t know”: Arguing that the impact was so minor you genuinely didn’t feel it.
• “I wasn’t driving”: Proving someone else had your car, or that the police cannot prove you were behind the wheel.
• “I stopped later”: You stopped at the nearest safe location (e.g., a lit gas station) because the accident scene was unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will SGI cover my car if I can’t find the hit and run driver?

Yes, provided you have reported it to the police and SGI. However, you will usually have to pay your deductible. SGI offers a “Deductible Waiver” for hit and runs only if the offender is identified.

Can I report an accident online in Saskatchewan?

Yes, you can use the SGI Auto eClaim service for most claims. However, hit and runs should also be reported to the police service in the jurisdiction where it happened.

What is the SDR penalty for a hit and run?

A Criminal Code conviction typically results in a significant loss of points (e.g., -10 or more), moving you into the penalty zone. Each point in the penalty zone costs a certain dollar amount (e.g., $50 or more per point).

Does Saskatchewan have “No-Fault” insurance?

Yes, the default system is No-Fault, which covers injury costs comprehensively. Residents can opt-out and choose Tort coverage, but most have No-Fault.

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