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While Manitoba Public Insurance has convinced more than
9,300 Manitobans to purchase after-market immobilizers in
just six months, the public insurer remains concerned about
the number of high-risk vehicles that are still unprotected.
“In January alone, we saw a surge of 1,500 new appointments
for immobilizer installations, but less than a quarter were
for owners of vehicles on our Top 100 list,” said Tim
Arnason, Director of Auto Theft Prevention Operations.
The Top 100 list outlines the make, model and year combinations
that are targeted by thieves and stolen most frequently in
Manitoba. These vehicles make up 17 per cent of all automobiles
in Winnipeg but account for 68 per cent of the theft claims
in the city. For some of these vehicles, the odds of being
stolen in Winnipeg are as bad as one in eight.
“Without the protection of an immobilizer, they are
sitting ducks for auto thieves,” Arnason said. “In
Winnipeg, there are still about 47,000 of these vehicles
out there on the streets – 47,000 thefts just waiting
to happen.”
Although the corporation’s immobilizer incentive program
is available to all Manitoba vehicles, the Top 100 are its
prime target. Through the program unveiled by Manitoba Public
Insurance in June, the corporation is offering the unmatched
protection of an immobilizer at less than half the usual
cost, with an annual $40 insurance discount that can offset
the expense in less than three years. With up to five years
of free financing, Manitobans can theft-proof their vehicles
immediately without paying anything up front.
Initially, the overwhelming response to the offer resulted
in lengthy waits for appointments. Since then, the number
of participating installation shops has increased five-fold
to meet the demand. Now vehicle owners can have an immobilizer
installed within days of contacting the corporation.
“Today there’s nothing preventing anyone from
theft-proofing their vehicle,” Arnason said. “The
service is fast, it’s affordable, it’s virtually
fail-proof and it can pay for itself in less than three years.”
While thousands of Manitobans have responded to the program,
the corporation wants to see more participation among those
most certain of having their vehicles stolen – and
driving up claims costs that have to be covered by other
drivers.
Because of this concern, the corporation is taking the message
to Top 100 vehicle owners through a direct mail campaign.
Last month, these customers began receiving letters informing
them of their unusually high risk of theft, and they will
be contacted up to three more times during the year.
About 22,500 high-risk owners have received these notices
to date.
“Manitoba Public Insurance is committed to growing
this program, and reducing auto theft,” said Arnason. “Auto
theft has evolved from a joy-riding issue to that of public
safety. Innocent people are being killed and injured as the
direct result of auto theft.”
The list of Top 100 vehicles is posted
on this website.
Manitobans interesting in learning more about the immobilizer
program can call the Autopac Line at 985-7000 (toll-free 1-800-665-2410,
deaf access TTY/DDD 985-8832). The Call Centre is open from
7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Saturday.
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Contact:
Brian Smiley
Corporate Communications
Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7300 or 1-888-554-9549 (toll-free in Manitoba) |
