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How car insurance coverage works in Manitoba

Car insurance is required everywhere in Canada and each province has its own coverage requirements. For Manitoba drivers, auto insurance is provided through Manitoba Government Insurance (MPI), a crown corporation, who provides Basic Autopac insurance and Optional Autopac insurance coverage packages. There is also optional, and rarely used, coverage available through private insurance brokerages, and even directly from insurance companies (i.e. Aviva Canada). For instance, mandatory third-party liability coverage through MPI has a minimum limit of $200,000, but each driver has the option to increase their liability coverage up to $10 million either through MPI or a private insurer. Be sure to view the table below for more explicit details

Here is an overview of the available car insurance coverages in Manitoba:

Coverage	Description
Public Insurance	Basic auto insurance coverage provided by the Manitoba governement (MPI). This generally includes liability, accident benefits and uninsured motorist coverage. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Private Insurance	Auto insurance policies created & sold by private insurance carriers. Though these carriers must still abide by Federal and Provincial regulations. Available: Yes Required: No
No-fault insurance	Having no-fault insurance doesn’t mean you can’t be found at fault. This coverage means you must first deal with your own insurance company for all claims, whether you’re at fault or not. But, Manitoba will allow a no-fault driver to sue an at-fault driver for additional damages and costs that are not covered by their accident benefits. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Third-party Liability Insurance	Protects against damage caused by you while driving and includes injury and death to others and property damage. This is the only insurance coverage that is mandatory across Canada. Minimum coverage for Manitoba is $200,000. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Accident Benefits	Covers your medical benefits if you’re injured in a crash, whether you’re at fault or not. The coverage includes your medical costs, while also paying for additional recovery costs, such as rehab, income replacement, and payment for and attendant care, if needed. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPD)	Covers damage to your vehicle and its contents, and for the loss of use of your vehicle when damaged – if another person was at fault. This coverage only applies if the crash occurs in a province where DCPD is mandatory, if two or more insured vehicles are involved, and if both insurers are licensed within that DCPD province. Available: No Required: No
Uninsured Motorist	Uninsured motorist coverage protects against injuries you and your family members sustain in a crash caused by an uninsured motorist. It can also cover your vehicle damages, if the uninsured driver is able to be identified. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Collision Insurance	Protects against damages sustained in a collision. This insurance covers you if your car is damaged in a crash – in both cases whether you crash into another other car or whether you crash into a stationary object. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Comprehensive Insurance	Protects against any losses a car owner may suffer, from events not related to driving. Such losses could include theft or damage from attempted theft; vandalism; environmental damage to a car from floods, fallen trees, and hail, etc. Available: Yes Required: Yes
Specified Perils	Covers your financial losses for damage caused specific perils – but only for perils chosen specifically for your policy. Available coverages are for theft; fire; damage from hail, lightning, wind, or flooding; earthquakes; explosions; riots; aircraft crash damage; and damage sustained during any transportation relocation. Available: Yes Required: No
All Perils	This combines the coverages you get with collision and comprehensive insurance. Additionally, all-perils also covers you if an employee, or someone who drives or services your car, steals it. It also covers you if someone you live with steals your vehicle. Available: Yes Required: No
Emergency roadside assistance	This service covers you for roadside callouts for emergencies such as dead batteries, towing, flat tires, keys locked in your car, empty gas tank, etcetera. Many insurance companies offer roadside assistance either included or in addition to other coverages. Available: Yes Required: No

*Table information sourced from http://www.ibc.ca (2017)

Historical Manitoba auto insurance rates

Manitoba is home to a mandatory vehicle registration and insurance program. The Manitoba Auto Fund believes that all drivers are equal unless their driving history shows that they’re a greater risk on the road. In fact, Manitoba does not use a driver’s age or gender to determine the car insurance premium. Rates are adjusted annually to keep up to date with the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR). Manitoba uses the CLEAR table to determine the likelihood of a vehicle being in a claim and the cost to repair those claims. Since 2010 there has been an average decrease of -3.1% to car insurance rates in Manitoba, but more recently rates have started to increase. The historical rate changes shown below are based on all the drivers insured each year by the MPI.

Average Car Insurance Rate Change By Year

*Information and data sourced from https://www.MPI.sk.ca/rates#history-of-Manitoba-rates (2018)

Factors that impact your Manitoba car insurance rates

It pays to shop around to find your best car insurance rate. Even though a car insurance application is standardized, you may find that rates vary between the MPI and private auto insurance market. The pricing difference is based on each insurer’s existing users, the volume of claims currently on their books, and their own tolerance for risk. Here are six factors that affect auto insurance in Manitoba:

Where you live

In Manitoba, where you live, or what the MPI calls your “territory” is an important factor when determining rates. Residents in major cities like Winnipeg (territory 1 of 4) will pay more due to population density. A higher population increases the risk of accidents, vandalism, and theft.

Vehicle type

Your vehicle must be rated correctly and in Manitoba, this is determined through their CLEAR table, so you know, before you buy, how much you’ll pay in insurance for a particular vehicle. The year of manufacture, the car’s make, its model, and even the engine size of your car will impact your premium. Insuring a mini-van vs. a sports car will have vastly different premiums.

Driving history

In Manitoba, drivers with a safe driving record over a number of years are rewarded with a discount on their premiums. Those discounts depend on the driver safety rating (DSR). The DSR has 36 levels and you move up and down the scale based on your driving history. You can save up to 33% off your premiums for being a safe driver over an extended period of time. The exact discount or surcharge you receive will depend on your driving history. For instance, any previous claims against the registered owner and principal operator or whether the insurance on other vehicles is cancelled or un-renewed would have a negative impact

Driving activity

If you only drive to the grocery store and back, that’s low driving activity. Commuting 25km into work every day will increase the premium. A pleasure passenger vehicle is classified as only driving to work 4 times in a month and not more than 1,600 kilometres. If you drive more than that, you’ll probably fall into the all-purpose passenger vehicle.

Type of insurance coverage

In Manitoba, there are mandatory coverages that include third-party liability, all perils (collision and comprehensive), and personal injury protection. Optional coverages are available through both MPI and private brokerages. The most common additional coverages include: increased liability coverage and loss of use coverage (the cost of renting a vehicle if your car is stolen).

Applicable discounts

Talk to your local MPI broker on how you can save money. How much of a discount you can get depends a few factors like the type of vehicle and the length of your driving history. The best way to save money on car insurance in Manitoba is with a clean driving record.

How to get cheap car insurance in Manitoba?

If you’re trying to lower your monthly cost of insurance, we recommend speaking with your broker, agent, or private insurer to see what options are available. Also, make sure to review the CLEAR table provided by the MPI to see how much it should cost to insure your vehicle. Plus, if you’ve previously held auto insurance in another jurisdiction with a clean record, you may be able to apply for additional discounts. Here are some more tips to help you save:

Shop and compare

Research which car insurance company provides the best value for you and your vehicle. In Manitoba, rates change four times a year, but lucky for you comparing rates with us is free.

Stay with your current insurer

Some auto insurance companies will give loyalty discounts to drivers who remain active with them for years. Especially if they add family members or multiple vehicles to their policy.

Bundle Your Policies

If you use the same insurance company for both your home and auto insurance needs, your insurer will often thank you with a dip in premiums.

Get a multi car discount

If you have multiple drivers and vehicles in the same household, by putting them all on one policy can save you money.

Increase your deductible

Your deductible is the portion you pay when settling a claim before your insurer will pay the rest. If you’re willing to double your deductible, it could save you money.

Ask about discounts

If you’re a member of an Manitoba faction of CAA, a large corporation, union, or a school alumnus, it could help you get cheaper car insurance.

Pay premiums annually, instead of monthly

Paying monthly adds administrative costs to your insurer, so if you’re able to pay in full annually you can lower your premiums.

Maintain a good driving record

If you’re a safe driver, obey the rules of the road and drive according to road conditions you can reduce your chances of an accident. Car crashes stay on your insurance record for up to ten years and can result in higher premiums.

Get an anti-theft device installed

Equipping your car with an electronic immobilizer prevents your vehicle from being stolen without the use of its keys. This could save you money on car insurance in Manitoba.

Keep track of your driving

You can even install a telematics device to collect driving data. With user-based insurance (UBI) you can earn discounts based on not driving far or often, and on advanced stats like how carefully you brake and accelerate.

Take a course

If you’re new to driving, a driver’s education course will save money. Your car insurance provider will think of you as a safer driver if you’ve been trained by professionals.

How to get a Manitoba driver's licence

Manitoba puts new drivers through a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program requiring each driver to progress through a 3-step educational program until you are considered a fully licenced driver. If you are moving to Manitoba and you have an existing driver’s license, you have 90 days to switch your valid out of province license to a Manitoba driver’s license. Manitoba will also credit previous out of province driving experience as progress towards the completion of the GDL program based on the applicable stage you are in. You can read more about how to transfer a driver’s license to Manitoba on the MPI website.

The graduated driver licensing program in Manitoba operates as follows:

Class 5 Learner (L) licence (or level one) eligibility criteria:

Must be 15.5 years old and enrolled in a high school driver education program or be at least 16 years old
Need parental consent until you are 18 years old
Provide proof of legal name, date of birth, and signature. (e.g. Passport, birth certificate)
Meet vision and medical standards
Pass a written test about the rules of the road
Pay the associated written test fees
Can’t consume alcohol and drive
Must be accompanied by supervising driver that sits in the front seat

Class 5 intermediate (I) licence (or level two) eligibility criteria:

Must have Class 5 Learner's for a minimum of 9 months
You must pass the Learner's road test
You must pay an administrative fee
Can’t consume alcohol and drive

Class 5 Full (F) licence (or level three) eligibility criteria:

Requires 15 consectuive months of driving with a Class5 intermediate license
Post 15 consecutive months driving you will be issued a Class 5 full license
Must maintain zero blood alcohol level for first 3 years

Frequently Asked Questions about Manitoba auto insurance

Do I need auto insurance in Manitoba?

Yes, it’s the law. There is mandatory public insurance coverage you need to legally operate a vehicle in Manitoba. You can extend your coverage through the MPI or any private insurer to further protect yourself.

Does my insurance cover me if I drive for Uber or Lyft?

Manitoba brought Uber into the province in March of 2018 with a Vehicle-For-Hire (VFH) program. Lyft will launch their service soon. VFH operators will be assessed a maximum of 20% higher than standard all-purpose premium. To reduce the financial burden and barrier to entry, VFH operators can select time band options for when they will be driving. Call MPI and inform them of your intentions otherwise you run the risk of voiding your insurance.

Do I need winter tires in Manitoba?

No, you don’t need winter tires for your car, but they are a great safety measure providing a stronger grip on ice and snow. MPI offers a Winter Tire Program to finance your winter tires.

Is roadside assistance required in Manitoba?

No, it’s great for peace of mind in case of a battery failure, tire puncture, or you need a tow. CAA in Manitoba, for instance, starts at about $70/year.

How do I report a claim in Manitoba?

First, exchange information if you’re involved in a multi car accident – get their name, license plate number, and additional insurance provider if they have one. See if there are any witnesses available. Get as much information as you can – driver’s license, time, date and location of the accident. You can file a car insurance claim online or call toll free at 1-204-985-7000

How long do driving offences last on my driving record in Manitoba?

Manitoba operates with a Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale. Each at-fault claim in the past year lowers your DSR by five levels. A driver at -20 can move up the scale by seven levels with one year of safe driving. Starting at the base level (0) you will move up one point for every year of safe driving.

Is there anything I can do to remove a penalty from my Manitoba driving record?

You can buy back your claim, so it doesn’t affect your DSR rating. Essentially, you reimburse any money paid out by MPI for repairing your vehicle. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective for you to pay to fix your car rather than file a claim. If you disagree with a claim, you can appeal. The first step is to speak with your case manager at MPI. The next step is to call the internal review office at 1-204-985-8000 and ask them to review the decision. They operate independently of claims management. You must submit a request in writing within 60 days from the time you receive a decision letter. If you’re still not satisfied, you can appeal to the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission (AICAC) at 204-945-4155. They are completely independent of MPI. Your initial case manager can help you with all the options available to you.

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