In Manitoba, we believe automobile insurance should protect all drivers from physical and economic harm. Everyone deserves protection.

That’s why The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act requires us to offer basic Autopac coverage to anyone with the legal right to register a vehicle. Instead of restricting who can buy coverage, we work hard to ensure that our rating system charges premiums according to the amount of risk each person and vehicle bring to the insurance pool.

That’s in stark contrast to other jurisdictions, where private insurers may deny drivers coverage on the basis of risk assessment. In those provinces, some people end up buying inadequate coverage or driving uninsured. That puts everyone at greater risk.

We recognize that an automobile is usually the first or second most expensive purchase a person will make. That’s why access to high quality, affordable insurance is so important. It’s also why Manitoba Public Insurance provides its customers with a number of options for paying and financing their premiums.

In Manitoba, vehicle owners have a lot of control over what they pay for their auto insurance. They can pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000 or more, depending on the kind of vehicle they choose to drive, how regularly they choose to drive it and their personal driving record.

We also assess risk on a more individual basis. As a monopoly, Manitoba Public Insurance can look at each Manitoban’s complete driving record. We don’t need to calculate rates on the basis of artificial factors, such as a person’s age, gender, credit rating or marital status.

In some jurisdictions, the insurance system is far less equitable for younger and senior drivers—particularly single males under the age of 25. For those without a perfect driving record, a single at-fault crash can double insurance premiums or cause the policy to be cancelled. When these young people are denied access to insurance, they are also restricted in terms of mobility, employment and economic advancement.

In Manitoba, we recognize that, in a high-risk group with a crash rate of 15 per cent, 85 per cent of the group has remained accident-free. We think it’s unfair to require that 85 per cent pay more for their coverage when they haven’t personally engaged in risky behaviour.

We do, of course, penalize poor drivers. Manitobans strongly believe that people who cost the Autopac insurance fund should pay more than those who don’t. The corporation’s rating and classification system makes this happen by surcharging drivers for at-fault accidents and traffic infractions, which can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of an individual’s insurance.

Manitobans can take pride in the fairness of their automobile insurance system. Access is virtually guaranteed and risk is assigned on the basis of individual choice and behaviour rather than artificial barriers. We reward good drivers and penalize those engaged in risky behaviour. This approach ensures everyone has access to the protection they need from physical and economic harm.

Automobile insurance rates across Canada (2003)

Driving and rating criteria
2001 Cavalier LS • 18-year-old male, claims-free driver • All-purpose use •
$200/$250*/$300** deductible • $1 million third-party liability
Comparison provided by Runzheimer Canada. Rates as of June 12, 2003.

Left: Manitoba Public Insurance assigns higher risk to young drivers only if they demonstrate risky behaviour by causing crashes or breaking traffic laws. That means our young people enjoy auto insurance that is more accessible and much cheaper than in other jurisdictions.

Above: Steep and fluctuating insurance rates can present significant problems for small businesses. Manitoba Public Insurance’s stable rates and affordable coverage help small business owners keep their costs in line.