$80M in damage from Regina hailstorm shows rising cost of extreme weather

Ten days after a powerful hailstorm battered Regina on June 9, Saskatchewan Government Insurance reports preliminary damage estimates approaching $80 million, with claims still pouring in.

SGI has received more than 10,000 auto claims and 800 property claims from the storm, which pummeled parts of the city with large hail. The sheer volume is putting pressure on the system, even as the insurer has brought in additional staff, extended working hours, and scheduled weekend appraisal blitzes to process claims faster.

"The damage is definitely higher than typical," said Justin Fitzgerald, SGI's director of appraisal operations for southern Saskatchewan. The storm struck a densely populated area of Regina, contributing to the high number of claims. "We have seen all types of damages, from hail, to wind damage and trees falling."

SGI has 945 customers booked for appraisals this weekend alone, with three more weekends planned and potentially more if needed. The insurer says customers with damaged windshields should have repairs completed immediately if the vehicle is unsafe to drive, then save receipts for claim reimbursement.

Property damage reports have largely involved exterior materials — roofing, shingles, and soft metal. Candace Hagerman, director of SGI Canada property operations, noted that many affected neighborhoods were heavily treed, which may have helped limit some damage. "No claims for windows yet. Trees protected the homes more so that way."

The Regina storm reflects a broader pattern across Western Canada. Manitoba Public Insurance recently opened a dedicated Hail Response Centre after receiving more than 22,000 claims from recent storms around the same time. Officials there expect the total could eventually reach between 30,000 and 40,000 claims.