DAVIDSON—Small, mom and pop collision repair shops fear that new requirements for autobody shops to keep their SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) accreditation will force them out of business.

SGI recently announced that it intends to introduce new equipment and training requirements that autobody repair shops must meet in order to retain their SGI accreditation.

SGI says the changes are needed due to how new vehicles are made. New vehicles have significant advancements in vehicle construction and driver safety technologies that require new tools, equipment and training to ensure the vehicles are repaired safely to the manufacturer’s standards.

SGI collision repair work is the main source of revenue for autobody shops.

“I feel this is going to close down a lot of smaller shops. I don’t know who is going to be left after this sweep,” Barry Millham said last Wednesday.

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