Manitoba Public Insurance
234 Donald Street R3C 4A4 Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Registration is now open for MPI’s Driver Z summer term! The course will be offered with virtual classes and in-car instruction (following public health orders and precautions). Course start dates may be affected due to public health order restrictions. You can find more information on the program here: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/driver-z.aspx.

Did you know that MPI offers photo-based estimating for eligible collision claims? This process allows you to take your own photos of damage to your vehicle and submit them to MPI for an estimate. The quick and easy process is safe, secure and can save you a visit to an MPI location in person.... Only certain claims are eligible for photo-based estimating. Your estimate options will be discussed with you when you report your claim. Learn more: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/photo-based-estimating.aspx.

There are two big questions every spring in Manitoba #1. When should you make the switch from your winter tires to your all-season tires? #2. Is it going to snow again?! ... While we don’t know the answer to #2, we can help with #1! Typically, +7 C both in the fall and the spring is the point at which you should make the switch to or from your winter tires to your all-season tires. In the fall, when temperatures fall below +7 C you should put your winter tires on, and then in the spring, when temperatures are consistently +7 C and above, you should change them back.

There are two big questions every spring in Manitoba #1. When should you make the switch from your winter tires to your all-season tires? #2. Is it going to snow again?! ... While we don’t know the answer to #2, we can help with #1! Typically, +7 C both in the fall and the spring is the point at which you should make the switch to or from your winter tires to your all-season tires. In the fall, when temperatures fall below +7 C you should put your winter tires on, and then in the spring, when temperatures are consistently +7 C and above, you should change them back.

We have modernized our deductible levels! Customers will still be able to receive similar coverage for a similar price. Look for the following enhancements on your 2021-22 renewal notice or annual statement of account: Basic Autopac deductible, which had remained unchanged since 1997, has been adjusted from $500 to $750 for passenger vehicles and motorcycles Deductible options are available at $500, $300 and $200 levels, with new waivers Choose from two $200 options: S...tandard and Plus! You will receive more information along with your renewal notice or annual statement of account. In the meantime, please visit our website for more information: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/coverage-enhancements-2021.aspx

Don’t forget: all of our locations will be closed for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Our Contact Centre will be open on Easter Monday, while all physical locations will be closed.

We have modernized our deductible levels! Customers will still be able to receive similar coverage for a similar price. Look for the following enhancements on your 2021-22 renewal notice or annual statement of account: Basic Autopac deductible, which had remained unchanged since 1997, has been adjusted from $500 to $750 for passenger vehicles and motorcycles Deductible options are available at $500, $300 and $200 levels, with new waivers Choose from two $200 options: S...tandard and Plus! You will receive more information along with your renewal notice or annual statement of account. In the meantime, please visit our website for more information: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/coverage-enhancements-2021.aspx

We are pleased to announce that MPI now has a reciprocal agreement with the country of Japan. Under this agreement, new Manitobans arriving from Japan may exchange valid Japan-equivalents of Class 5 and 6 licenses for a Manitoba licence without taking a knowledge or road test. Click here to view the full list of reciprocal countries and learn more about the requirements for new Manitobans to obtain a license: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/new-to-manitoba.aspx.

This month is a peak time to view the Northern Lights! But while you’re out in the evenings, please remember the rules of the road find a safe place to pull over to take in the breathtaking views and ensure that your vehicle is visible to others by using its low and high beam lights effectively. If you get out of your vehicle to take photos, stay clear of the road and wear reflective clothing to ensure you are visible as well. Find more tips for driving at night here: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/night-driving-riding.aspx. Photo courtesy of Ryan Lucenkiw.

Don’t forget: all of our locations will be closed for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Our Contact Centre will be open on Easter Monday, while all physical locations will be closed.

We are pleased to announce that MPI now has a reciprocal agreement with the country of Japan. Under this agreement, new Manitobans arriving from Japan may exchange valid Japan-equivalents of Class 5 and 6 licenses for a Manitoba licence without taking a knowledge or road test. Click here to view the full list of reciprocal countries and learn more about the requirements for new Manitobans to obtain a license: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/new-to-manitoba.aspx.

This month is a peak time to view the Northern Lights! But while you’re out in the evenings, please remember the rules of the road find a safe place to pull over to take in the breathtaking views and ensure that your vehicle is visible to others by using its low and high beam lights effectively. If you get out of your vehicle to take photos, stay clear of the road and wear reflective clothing to ensure you are visible as well. Find more tips for driving at night here: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/night-driving-riding.aspx. Photo courtesy of Ryan Lucenkiw.

#TrafficTipTuesday: Do you know what to do when approaching emergency or designated vehicles working at roadside? - Use caution Drivers can be fined when failing to use caution when passing emergency or designated vehicles working at roadside. - Slow down If the posted maximum speed limit is under 80 km/h, you must slow down to at least 40 km/h. If the posted maximum speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, you must slow down to at least 60 km/h.

Road safety is everyone’s business! If you’re a passenger and your driver is talking, texting or tweeting, scrolling a playlist or even checking for updates behind the wheel, speak up, remind them that it is against the law and insist they put the phone away. Along with saving them from a hefty fine and possible suspension, you could have just saved yourself from a collision. You can also help others help themselves. When you call someone, ask if they are driving. If they are, call back later.

#TrafficTipTuesday: Although it may be legal to make a U-turn, we don’t recommend it unless it’s at an intersection controlled by a U-turn traffic signal. Instead: In cities, you should go around the block to change directions. In rural areas, continue ahead until you can turn onto a side road from which you can make a regular turn onto the highway in the desired direction. With higher speeds on highways, it’s extremely dangerous to make a U-turn.

We recently reported that a total of 522 speed-related Serious Driving Offences were forwarded to us last year from January to the end of December 2020, a nearly 60 per cent increase from the same time frame in 2019. We continue to see instances of people being pulled over for driving at excessively high speeds. Remember: speed kills slow down.

#TrafficTipTuesday: To maintain a safe following distance one which provides you with sufficient time to stop in an emergency, use a four-second following distance when following (under ideal driving conditions allow more time under adverse conditions). 1. The rear of the vehicle ahead has just passed the sign you have decided to use as your marker. Begin counting. 2. Count: One thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three.... 3. Count: One thousand and four (four seconds). If it takes less than four seconds for the front of your vehicle to reach the marker, you are too close. Four seconds is correct. The safety factor is even greater if it takes more than four seconds. If you are being followed too closely, slow down gradually to give the driver behind you time to react. This can reduce your chances of being struck from behind should you need to stop.

Driver Z is continuing to be offered as a modified program, with virtual classes replacing in-person classes and following precautions for in-car instruction. Due to public health order restrictions, course start dates may be affected. You can find more information here: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/driver-z.aspx As of Feb. 5, we have been able to safely resume in-car lessons, under the current public health guidelines. Registered Driver Z students will be contacted by their instructors to discuss the required safety protocols and schedule one-on-one lessons.

#TrafficTipTuesday: Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable road users. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all need to take steps to maintain pedestrian safety: Drivers must stop and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians about to cross at marked and unmarked crosswalks. It is illegal to pass traffic ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians using crosswalks. Do not park or stop within three metres of a crosswalk.... Be careful to look for pedestrians, especially when turning or about to proceed across a sidewalk. See more

Fraud charges in 2020 increased compared to the previous year, thanks to the hard work of our Special Investigations Unit. This increase doesn’t mean there is more fraud taking place in our province, but rather reflects our commitment to reviewing suspicious claims, and has resulted in millions in claims savings for our customers through their premiums. Check out the images below to see more facts and figures about auto insurance fraud in Manitoba this year and for more information, please visit: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/nr2021jan8.aspx

#DidYouKnow: The use of winter tires increases traction, making it easier to get out of the snow and can cut stopping distance by 25 per cent or more. Our Winter Tire Program provides low-interest financing on winter tires. Learn more here: https://www.mpi.mb.ca//P/winter-tire-program-overview.aspx

#TrafficTipTuesday: Slow down. Stay sharp. Drive for winter. Remember, when there’s ice and snow, take it slow.

Your cheque is (literally) in the mail! Over the holidays, our teams worked hard to get rebate cheques to eligible policyholders in the mail and on their way to you and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. Please allow up to four weeks to allow Canada Post ample time to deliver all cheques. If you have not received your cheque in four weeks, please contact your Autopac agent or call our MPI Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or 1-800-665-2410.... Learn more: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/COVID-19-rebate-faqs.aspx.

The importance of reaching thousands of youth to create awareness about the consequences of impaired and other risky driving decisions hasn’t changed in the face of the pandemic. That’s why the Friends for Life Speaker Series is going virtual this year! From November 16 to 27, three speakers will deliver virtual presentations to schools across the province, talking to high school students about how their lives can be changed forever due to high-risk driving behaviours. Participating students also have the chance to enter our Instagram contest, which includes a prize draw for 10 Apple AirPod wireless headphones! For more information: check out our contest page: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/friends-for-life-contest.aspx

Don't forget: all of our locations and Contact Centre will be closed tomorrow to recognize Remembrance Day.

Why go out right now when you can stay in? Most payments, including most driver’s licence charges, policy fees, registrations, premiums and overdue amounts can be made online with a credit card or through online banking with your financial institution. For more information, visit our online payments page here: https://apps.mpi.mb.ca/onlineservices/en/default.html

Did you know that when you move within Manitoba you have 15 days to change your address on your vehicle registration and driver’s licence? To change your address, phone any Autopac agent or visit any MPI Service Centre. For more information, visit our website: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/change-cancel-licence.aspx

#TrafficTipTuesday: Here’s a refresher on school zones! School zones are designated areas near schools that alert drivers to ensure the safety of children crossing the roadway. - Always drive cautiously in and near school zones. Be watchful and prepared to stop suddenly. ... - In Winnipeg, from the beginning of September to the end of June, speed limits are 30 kilometres per hour in designated school zones, Monday - Friday, from 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Outside of Winnipeg, if the signs do not specify a time frame when the speed limit is in effect, then the reduced maximum speed is in effect at all times. - Drivers caught speeding in a school zone could face a fine of at least $200 and move down two levels on the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale. - It is illegal to pass another moving vehicle in a school area within 15 minutes of either the opening or closing of classes or any time when children are on the school grounds or near the road. For more useful tips, check out our 60 Second Driver video on school zones!

At this time of year, there’s an increased likelihood of encountering deer and other wildlife when travelling on Manitoba roads, which contributes to the nearly 9,000 yearly vehicle/deer collisions in the province. Drive with extreme caution if you are in an area with a high concentration of deer crashes slow down and scan the road ahead as well as the shoulder and ditches, especially when travelling at dusk, dawn, or at night. For more information and safety tips: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/nr2020nov3.aspx

Effective, Friday, October 30 at 4:30 p.m., our King Edward Service Centre will close to MPI customers to serve as a COVID-19 testing centre. On Monday, November 2, the location will reopen for business in a temporary location at 1780 Ellice Avenue (at the corner of Ellice Avenue and Berry Street). The centre’s hours of operation will remain unchanged: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Customers with scheduled appointments on or after November 2 will attend the tempora...ry location for services. For more information on our COVID-19 response, please visit our dedicated page: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/covid-19-information.aspx.

Today we honour and remember those who have served, and continue to serve Canada. #remembranceday