FAQ

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


The Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan (ICS) receives many calls and inquiries on a daily basis. We are working to build this this FAQ section with answers to the most common questions.

Licensing

If you are wondering about the status of your application you will need to log into your portal. It will show your application and the status of your application -Pending Recommender review, Pending ICS review, Pending payment or Pending resubmission. Applications are reviewed in date order that Council receives them. If your application needs amending, we will send it back for you to make the amendments. If your application sits inactive for 60 days the application will be cancelled. You will receive emails as well if your application gets returned to you, if you need to go back and pay, make changes to the application, and when it has been processed. 

  • Pending Recommender Review – means your application is with your recommender and they need to review your application. Once they have approved your application it will automatically be sent to Council for review.
  • Pending ICS Review – means your application is sitting in the ICS portal for review. We will get to your application as soon as possible.
  • Pending Payment – payment needs to be complete (even if you have already input the payment it is just a pre-authorization until Council issues the license).
  • Pending resubmission – means that your application was sent back to you for amendments, those will need to be completed before it can be resubmitted. It will then go to your recommender for approval, and then back to Council for review.

You can find information regarding the types of general licenses here: https://www.skcouncil.sk.ca/getting-licensed/general-insurance/

You can find information regarding types of life licences here:  https://www.skcouncil.sk.ca/getting-licensed/life-insurance/

The fee schedule can be found here:  https://www.skcouncil.sk.ca/getting-licensed/licensing-fees/

Compliance

Filing a Complaint against an Insurance Company

If you have a complaint against an insurance company that does not have to do with the value of loss or damage to property, you can file a complaint with the Superintendent of Insurance.

Before filing a complaint, please attempt to resolve the matter with the insurance company or agent, agency or adjuster.

To register a complaint against an insurance company, please complete an Insurance Complaint Form and return it to the address provided on the form.

Complaints about a particular licensed agent, agency, or adjuster, should be directed to the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan.

You should be aware that laws set out limitation periods for starting court action. You may wish to consult a lawyer regarding any limitation periods that may be applicable.

For complaint inquiries or more information, please contact:

  • Superintendent of Insurance
    Insurance and Real Estate Division
    Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority
    Suite 601, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive
    Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 4H2
    Phone: (306) 787-6700
    Fax: (306) 787-9006
    Email:fid@gov.sk.ca

The consumer complaint form can be found here: https://www.skcouncil.sk.ca/consumer-information/making-a-complaint/  and should be submitted to compliance@skcouncil.sk.ca.

Council cannot force an insurance agent to resolve your complaint or give you compensation. As such, you may wish to consult with your lawyer with respect to your complaint.

Ombudsman Saskatchewan has jurisdiction over the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). If you have a complaint or inquiry about an SCIC decision, contact them first to find out what appeal process is available. If there is no appeal process available to you, or if you appeal and disagree with their decision.

  • Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC)
    Toll-Free: 1-888-935-0013

Website: https://ombudsman.sk.ca/ 

 

Ombudsman Saskatchewan does not have jurisdiction over private insurance companies, private life insurance, or health insurance, such as long-term disability benefits. If your complaint is of this nature, you may wish to contact one of the following organizations.

  • General Insurance Ombudservice
    Toll-Free: 1-877-225-0446
    Website: giocanada.org
  • Canadian Life and Health Insurance Ombudservice
    Toll-Free: 1-888-295-8112
    Website: olhi.ca
  • Saskatchewan Superintendent of Insurance
    Phone: 1-306-787-6700
    (Ombudsman Saskatchewan has jurisdiction over the Saskatchewan Superintendent of Insurance.)

The Agent Code of Conducts can be found here: https://www.skcouncil.sk.ca/licensee-resources/code-of-conduct/ 

Any compensation paid to non-licensees in connection with the sale of an insurance policy may contravene the Act. Specifically, the Act refers to the ‘solicitation or negotiation’ of insurance as an activity which requires an insurance licence. Compensation is a broad term and includes payment of money, goods, or services. Licensees should not enter into any

arrangement where an unlicensed person is compensated for soliciting clients on their behalf. If a licensee pays any referral fees or finders’ fees to an unlicensed person, the client should be informed of the nature and amount of any such fee

Reference: General Insurance Council of Saskatchewan Agent Code of Conduct