Collision vs. Comprehensive: What’s the Difference?

Choosing the right protection for your car is much easier once you understand how these two work together:

Collision insurance covers the cost of repairs if you hit another vehicle or an object like a fence or a guardrail. It doesn’t matter if the accident was your fault or if the other driver doesn’t have insurance. It is simply there to handle the repair bills so you don’t have to.

On the flip side, comprehensive car insurance covers damage that isn’t related to driving. This covers things like theft, vandalism, or natural weather disasters. If a hailstorm dents the roof and ruins the paint, comprehensive insurance is what steps in to save the day.

If you’ve driven around Saskatchewan, you know that potholes are a nuisance. But there’s actually some good news! While Tyler McMurchy at SGI previously noted that pothole damage claims were hitting record highs across the province, the city of Regina has seen a bit of a turnaround.

The Shift in Regina’s Maintenance

In Regina, the official numbers tell a surprisingly positive story: service requests to fix those wheel-eating craters have actually dropped by nearly half over the last five years. According to Mike Ede, the city’s manager of roadway maintenance, requests fell from 1,766 in 2018 to just 970 in 2023. A lot of that is thanks to smarter operations and, believe it or not, our milder winters.

Of course, the weather is still the main culprit. It all comes down to the freeze-thaw cycle, which is basically what happens when temperatures flip-flop above and below freezing. Melted snow seeps into tiny cracks, freezes into ice, and expands, which pushes the road surface upward. When it finally thaws, it leaves a hollow gap underneath the pavement.

Even with the city making progress, local shops are still feeling the brunt of the season. Lane Cybulski, co-owner of NAPA Autopro – Landry’s Service, has seen a major spike in vehicles coming in with suspension issues in just a two-day span by mid-February 2026

He’s seen cars limp into the shop with all four tires flat after a single encounter with a deep hole. That’s a massive hit to the wallet; a new set of tires can run around $1,000, and if you crack a wheel, you’re looking at another $300 to $400 on top of that.

Broader Traffic Trends in Saskatchewan

It’s helpful to look at how these road conditions fit into the bigger picture of provincial safety. You might not think of hitting a hole as a “crash,” but at SGI, any claim for pothole damage actually falls under the category of a collision. Because of that, the 2024 Historical Trends report gives us a great look at how these incidents fluctuate throughout the year.

Not surprisingly, the months when potholes are at their most aggressive (typically March and April) often show a very distinct trend in reported incidents. Based on the data, March and April saw 2,368 and 1,942 total collisions, respectively, both representing double-digit percentage increases over the three-year average.

While maintenance crews are getting more efficient, the data shows that 2024 saw a 10.1% increase in total collisions compared to the previous three-year average. It’s a good reminder to stay sharp, especially when the spring melt starts to reveal what’s hidden under the snow.

Handling Pothole Damage and Your Deductible

Even a small pothole can cause surprisingly expensive damage. According to Tyler McMurchy, SGI doesn’t actually have a specific “pothole” category for claims. Instead, they classify these incidents as “roadbed collisions.” This is just a technical way of saying you had an accident where the road itself caused the damage.

If you hit a pothole and your car is damaged, SGI might cover the repairs, but they usually won’t cover a tire that is simply flat or torn. Jai Deep, the owner of Value Tire, says the most common issue is damage to the tire’s sidewall. He notes that these impacts often do more damage than drivers realize, and many people don’t even notice a bulge in the tire until a professional points it out.

Filing a claim usually means you have to pay your deductible first. That is the set amount you agree to pay out of your own pocket before insurance covers the rest. If the repair bill is lower than your deductible, it’s often cheaper to just pay for it yourself. On the bright side, if SGI is able to get reimbursement from the city or local government, you might eventually get that deductible money back.

The process for a pothole claim is the same as any other collision. You can start the process through SGI’s eClaim tool, stop by a claims centre, or give them a call.

You technically have two years to submit your claim, but it is always a good idea to do it as soon as you notice the damage.

How Claims Can Change Your Rates

It is worth thinking about how a pothole claim might affect your insurance bill down the road. Some insurers actually treat hitting a pothole as an “at-fault” collision. For example, they might look at whether you already knew that specific road was in bad shape. If they decide it was preventable, your rates could go up, or you might even get demerit points on your license.

Choosing Your Deductible

A deductible is simply the amount you agree to pay before your insurance company covers the rest. You can choose a number that fits your budget and how much risk you are comfortable taking on.

If you pick a higher deductible, your monthly bill will be lower, but you will need more cash on hand if you have an accident. On the other hand, a lower deductible means you pay more every month, but you won’t be on the hook for as much if something goes wrong.

Loss of Use Coverage

Life doesn’t stop just because your car is in the shop for repairs. Loss of Use coverage keeps you moving by paying for other ways to get around. This covers the cost of a rental car, taxis, or even the bus while your vehicle is being fixed. This protection starts as soon as you file your claim and lasts until your car is ready or you hit your coverage limit.

The most effective way to prevent vehicle damage is to avoid potholes entirely, though this isn’t always feasible. In situations where avoiding a pothole is unavoidable, Carfax Canada offers these recommendations to minimize the potential harm to your vehicle: