November 27, 2008

Manitoba Public Insurance to provide free warning stickers
for factory-installed immobilizers
Program aims to reduce attempted thefts, avert vehicle damage

If your vehicle has an approved factory-installed immobilizer, you can now get free window stickers from Manitoba Public Insurance to let would-be thieves know – before they break into your vehicle.

Manitoba Public Insurance is offering the stickers in response to customer requests. Every vehicle with an approved aftermarket immobilizer has stickers affixed to the windows at the time of installation to show the vehicle is theft-proofed. However, vehicles that come from the factory with immobilizers already installed sometimes have nothing showing they are protected.

“Owners of these vehicles have told us they’re concerned about not having these stickers,” says Marilyn McLaren, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They feel this may make their vehicles more vulnerable to damage from theft attempts, so we’re stepping in to help. The program aims to give these customers greater peace of mind.”

Numbers suggest that warning stickers may be an effective theft deterrent. Attempted theft numbers have dropped by about 43 per cent in Winnipeg since 2007, when greater numbers of immobilized vehicles began to appear.

The new stickers are available free at claim centres to all Manitoba drivers who have approved factory-installed immobilizers. To ensure that the stickers are not misused, Manitoba Public Insurance will verify that each vehicle qualifies and then affix the stickers.
 
Here’s how it works:

1. Drive your vehicle to a claim centre. No appointment is needed. In Winnipeg, drive up to the Emergency Claims garage door. Outside the city, go to the front counter. (If you’re not the registered owner, you’ll need that person’s written permission.)
2. Manitoba Public Insurance will check the vehicle’s records to make sure it has an approved, factory-installed immobilizer.
3. Stickers will be placed on the front driver’s side window and the front passenger-side window.
4. Each sticker has a registration number, which Manitoba Public Insurance will record and track.

Note: Media can go to http://www.mpi.mb.ca/english/autotheft/ATStickers.html to download the sticker.

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