|
Manitoba Public Insurance this
week became the first Canadian
automobile insurance company to
offer a financing plan that encourages
vehicle owners to install anti-theft
immobilizer devices that meet the
Canadian Theft Deterrent Standard.
“This
is a first for Canada and a first
for North America,” said
Attorney General Gord Mackintosh,
who asked Manitoba Public Insurance
to develop the plan in May. “The
purpose of this time payment program
is very simple--to make it affordable
for everyone to purchase the most
effective theft-prevention devices
available.”
Beginning September 15, Manitobans
who purchase and install an aftermarket
electronic immobilizer that meets
the Canadian standard will be able
to finance their purchase with
a simple phone call to the public
insurer. The cost of these devices
ranges from about $240 to $400
and the program permits financing
over 12-, 24- or 36-month periods.
This
program only applies to Manitoba-registered
and insured vehicles. Motorists
can check to see which devices
meet the Canadian Theft Deterrent
Standard by checking the corporation’s
Web site at http://www.mpi.mb.ca
and can find out more about the
program by checking the Web site
or calling the Manitoba Public
Insurance Autopac Line at 985-7000
or 1-800-665-2410 (toll-free).
Manitoba Public Insurance initiated
the immobilizer financing plan
after the Provincial Auto Theft
Task Force found that the price
of these devices was a barrier
for people who wanted the best
possible protection for their vehicles.
The plan allows owners to purchase
a device for as little as $8.50
a month (purchasers will be billed
on a quarterly basis).
“An electronic immobilizer
is the most effective way to stop
auto theft,” said John Douglas,
Vice-President of Corporate Public
Affairs with Manitoba Public Insurance. “For
most Manitoba families, their vehicle
is the second-most valuable asset
they own. This program makes purchasing
an immobilizer affordable for every
Manitoban.”
Manitoba Public Insurance also
offers buyers of approved aftermarket
immobilizers a yearly discount
of $40 off the basic Autopac premium
and $5 off the annual premium for
selected optional coverages.
Backgrounder – Immobilizer
Financing Plan
- To qualify for a loan, individuals
must:
- Be
either the Autopac policyholder
or the vehicle’s legal
owner.
- Be able to register
a vehicle in Manitoba.
- Meet
Manitoba Public Insurance’s
financing eligibility requirements.
- Approved
aftermarket immobilizers
installed beginning Sept.
15, 2003 are eligible for
financing.
Owners
can apply for financing
at the time of installation
or up to
30 days after the installation
date.
- Interest is fixed
at Prime plus two per cent
effective
when the
loan is made. There are
no additional administration
fees.
- Owners can chose
12-, 24- or 36-month payback
periods.
Billings
will be sent quarterly
and extra payments
can be made
at any time.
- Owners
can finance any number of approved
immobilizer
financing
loans up to a maximum
of $500 each, including
installation
and taxes.
Backgrounder – Approved
Anti-theft Immobilizers
- Immobilizers
are the most effective means
of preventing drive-away
theft. An immobilizer is
an electronic device that arms
automatically
when a vehicle is switched
off,
and prevents unauthorized
starting of the vehicle.
- The immobilizer
is passive. It does not have
an audible
alarm warning system.
When attacked,
the immobilizer cuts
three vital circuits in the vehicle:
the
starter,
ignition and fuel supply.
- Unless a special key or code
is used, the
car will
not start.
- Manitoba
Public Insurance offers a yearly
$40
discount for people
who purchase an immobilizer
that meets Canadian
theft
deterrence
standards.
- Additional
information about passive immobilizers
and national
standards can be
obtained by going
to http://www.mpi.mb.ca
and reviewing
the auto theft
section.
- Manitoba Public
Insurance offers
discounts for
the following
aftermarket immobilizers:
- PFK
Autowatch 329 Ti Immobilizer
- MasterGard
M6000 Immobilizer
- MasterGard
TK Immobilizer
- Powerlock-Canada
Immobilizer
Contact:
Brian Smiley/Ted Wakefield
Media Relations
Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7300 or 1-888-554-9549
(toll-free in Manitoba)
|
