SGI EXPECTS HIGH NUMBER OF CLAIMS FROM LAST NIGHT'S STORM

Released on July 5, 1996

Heavy winds, rain and hail swept across the central part of the
province last night, causing damage from the Alberta border through
North Battleford to Saskatoon. Saskatchewan Government Insurance,
(SGI), is expecting a high volume of calls to claims centres in those
areas.

People who suffered property damage or losses during the storm should
call their insurance broker immediately. The broker will then report
the claim to SGI CANADA, and an adjuster will be assigned as soon as
possible to assess the damage. For auto damage claims, customers
should call Dial-A-Claim at the SGI claims centre located nearest their
home.

"SGI staff will attend to our customers' claims as soon as they can,"
Margaret Anderson, SGI's Vice President of Claims, said. "Until we see
how many claims come in, it will be difficult to say how quickly
adjusters will be able to assess the damage from this storm. We'll be
attending to the worst damage first, and we thank all our customers for
their patience. In the meantime, they should take the steps necessary
to protect their property from further damage."

Anderson explained taking steps such as covering broken windows,
securing broken doors, or making temporary repairs to roofs will not
affect the settling of a claim. She does, however, recommend customers
take photographs of the damage before making temporary repairs. They
should also keep track of these expenses, as they may be considered
part of the insurance claim.

SGI will release information on the number of claims from last night's
storm, and a damage estimate, as soon as it is available.

With respect to the storms that swept through the province in mid-June,
SGI received about 675 claims as a result of rain, hail and wind from
those storms. There have been about 450 general claims to SGI CANADA
and 225 to the Auto Fund. Agricultural claims, which fall under SGI
CANADA, totalled $900,000 in damage. The overall damage total was
$1,750,000.

Rural areas around Kindersley, Kyle and Coleville were the hardest hit.
Claims from Kyle consisted mainly of wind damage to farms, while
Coleville claims were primarily for flood-related damage. Hail damage
to vehicles in Rosetown was responsible for most Auto Fund claims.

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For more information, contact:

Darcy McKenzie Barbara Cross
SGI Communications SGI Communications
Regina Regina
Phone: (306) 751-1347 Phone: (306) 751-1360