SGI has seen 1,885 property claims to date from last week’s Alberta clipper
By Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
REGINA – By Tuesday, Jan. 19, SGI Canada had already received 1,885 property claims as a result of the Alberta clipper storm that whacked southern Saskatchewan Jan. 13-14.
That’s according to Tyler McMurchy, manager, media relations, with SGI. He added that’s for just for one insurer, as SGI is one of many property insurers in the province.
A further 386 auto claims were also received – not from people bumping fenders, but from things like trees landing on vehicles, or trailers being blown over.
“Those were some pretty crazy winds,” McMurchy said by phone from Regina on Jan. 19.
He said claims came from throughout the province, anywhere south of Prince Albert. Regina, Moose Jaw and Weyburn were particularly hit, but so were places like Saskatoon, Radville, Estevan and Milestone.
In October, 2017, there had been a similar storm, but McMurchy said, “This past one had higher wind speeds and more trees knocked down.”
Environment Canada had reported wind gusts as strong as an EF1 tornado north of Regina.
Since it was winter, more outside items like lawn furniture and trampolines had been put away, while other items were frozen to the ground, he noted.
There will be some “very large claims” he said, including building damage and farm claims.
Adjusters worked throughout the weekend, and by Jan. 19, most of those who had filed claims had initial contact with an SGI adjuster, according to McMurchy.
Shingles, roofs, soffits and siding are just some of the damage claims that have come in. “Some neighbourhoods, everyone’s got some shingles missing,” he said.
He spoke of limiting further damage, but it may be necessary to get contractors to do that. Hold onto receipts, he noted, and take pictures, both wide angle and closeups.
Photo: Three campers were flipped and thrown against a fence on the south side of a Weyburn RV dealer by the Alberta clipper storm that blew through Saskatchewan. Photo by Brian Zinchuk