September 29, 2008

Expanded immobilizer program takes effect October 1

Effective October 1, the Manitoba Public Insurance immobilizer program will expand to include an additional 50,000 Most-at-Risk vehicles. Installation of approved, aftermarket immobilizers will be required in these vehicles prior to the renewal of their Autopac policies, Manitoba Public Insurance is reminding motorists.

Customers with current registrations will receive notifications from the public auto insurer 120 days prior to their renewal dates.

The additions to the Most-at-Risk list were first announced last June. They join the 50,000 vehicles on the original list, which was introduced Sept. 1, 2007.

The immobilizer program applies to Most-at-Risk vehicles registered in Winnipeg, or to commute to Winnipeg. Every Most-at-Risk vehicle imported into the province must also be equipped with an approved aftermarket immobilizer prior to registration.

“The immobilizer program has had a major impact on auto theft in Winnipeg,” said Marilyn McLaren, president and chief executive officer of Manitoba Public Insurance. “When we started this program, the vehicles on the list represented just five per cent of the vehicles on the road but accounted for 50 per cent of the thefts – and only 24 per cent of them were protected with immobilizers. Today over 97 per cent of the first Most-at-Risk group registered in Winnipeg are protected.”

All vehicles on the list have a one in 102 chance of being stolen in Winnipeg, explained McLaren.

Manitobans are taking action to meet the new requirement for their Most-at-Risk vehicles. Installation appointments have already been made by about 90 per cent of those renewing in October, and by about 80 per cent of those renewing in November.

In total, more than 315,000 vehicles on Manitoba roads are protected by immobilizers. The growing benefits of immobilizers are reflected in auto theft rates, which have dropped 40 per cent in Winnipeg in the first eight months of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. Provincially, auto theft is down nearly 36 per cent, according to Manitoba Public Insurance claims data.

In addition to reporting a decrease in total thefts, attempted thefts are also on the decline, reflected in a 41.6 per cent decrease in Winnipeg after the first eight months of 2008. Overall, attempted thefts are down 41.3 throughout the province.

Manitobans can find out whether their vehicles need immobilizers by using an interactive calculator on the Manitoba Public Insurance website. Go to www.mpi.mb.ca and click on “How this new law affects you.”

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