Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) and the City of Winnipeg have partnered to crack down on insurance fraud by ensuring rideshare drivers are operating with the required coverage and paying their fair share of premiums and claims costs.
Individuals operating in Winnipeg must provide proof to rideshare companies that their vehicle is insured with MPI’s Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) insurance, which is required by law.
An MPI review conducted in December 2025 examined a random sample of 408 rideshare vehicles in Winnipeg and found that 108 vehicles, or 26 per cent, were operating without the required VFH coverage. Drivers had instead changed their coverage to personal All-Purpose or Pleasure Use policies, after providing the original VFH proof of insurance.
In response, MPI and the City of Winnipeg, which oversees regulatory compliance for drivers and rideshare companies in Winnipeg, have strengthened their efforts through monthly data analysis, enhanced monitoring, and targeted enforcement activities, including removing identified vehicles from operating until they provide proof of the correct coverage. The rideshare industry also played an important role in supporting compliance efforts by providing data and working collaboratively with the City and MPI.
“MPI’s VFH coverage is designed to account for the risk taken on by rideshare drivers, who are on the road more. When a driver changes their coverage from rideshare insurance to personal vehicle coverage and continues operating as a rideshare driver, that is fraud, plain and simple. It creates an unfair advantage for those who choose not to follow the rules and shifts costs onto honest drivers and ratepayers,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s President & CEO.
“As the province’s public auto insurer, we have a responsibility to ensure our system remains fair for all ratepayers. This partnership with the City of Winnipeg is part of MPI’s ongoing commitment to protecting customers and keeping rates affordable and stable for everyone.”
The focused efforts have delivered results – the number of underinsured or vehicles operating on rideshare platforms declined nearly 80 per cent since February 2026.
Between February and August 2026 approximately 3,000 rideshare vehicles were identified and prevented from operating in Winnipeg due to not carrying VFH insurance coverage.
MPI is also taking steps to address the financial impacts of past non-compliance. Initial reviews suggest approximately 1,200 policies carried insufficient coverage between December 2025 and February 2026, totalling an estimated $260,000 in underpaid premiums. The Crown corporation will be pursuing recovery of these funds in accordance with legislation. MPI is also identifying claims where drivers misrepresented how they were using their vehicle at the time of a collision and will pursue recovery of claims costs where appropriate. A preliminary assessment has identified 36 claims totaling approximately $189,000 involving rideshare activity without appropriate insurance coverage. Additional data remains under review.
The City of Winnipeg says the partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration in maintaining a safe and accountable industry.
“This work demonstrates the value of coordinated enforcement. The City’s Vehicle for Hire division brings its regulatory and enforcement authority, while MPI provides critical insurance verification and expertise. By working together, the two organizations are able to identify non-compliance more effectively, take timely enforcement action, and encourage rideshare providers to maintain the appropriate insurance coverage,” said Grant Heather, Manager of Vehicles for Hire, City of Winnipeg.
MPI and the City of Winnipeg will continue strengthening oversight to ensure rideshare operators maintain required coverage. Future measures being considered include enhanced insurance verification processes, customer declarations regarding vehicle use, expanded data sharing between MPI, the City and rideshare platforms and improved claims screening processes.
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