Saskatchewan Government Insurance is considering insurance consequences for drivers who leave their keys or key fobs in a vehicle which ends up being stolen.
Under current SGI insurance rules, a stolen vehicle would be covered for insurance purposes under accidental loss or damage.
READ MORE: Saskatoon police pursuit of stolen truck ends in fatal collision
Earl Cameron, SGI’s executive vice president of the Auto Fund, said even though many people leave their keys inside their car by accident, it has still created a debate on whether or not to change insurance.
He said they need to be cautious about penalizing someone who just leaves their keys in their vehicle for a second, only to have it stolen.
But he said it’s important to get the message across the consumers that they must never leave their keys in their vehicle.
Cameron said any change would need legislative approval before it became law.
However, he noted several provinces have fines for drivers who leave keys or key fobs in their cars.
READ MORE: Vehicle thefts continue to be a problem in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police estimate between 60 and 65 per cent of stolen vehicles had the key or key fob inside.
Police Chief Clive Weighill said there have been four deaths over the past two years when vehicles with keys inside were stolen.
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