Compare Manitoba Car Insurance Quotes + Tips to Save

Ever wondered how car insurance works in the heart of Canada's prairies, especially in Manitoba? The only way to get mandatory Manitoba car insurance is through Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) — the entity that oversees everything from licenses to coverage.

But what exactly does it entail? And what if you want to get optional extensions for extra peace of mind? From its coverage to its rates, we will discuss everything you need to know about Car Insurance in Manitoba.

You can use our free tool to compare car insurance quotes and get the best deals tailormade for you right here.

How does car insurance work in Manitoba?

Manitoba car insurance is provided by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) — Manitoba’s provincial car insurance entity.

MPI is a government-owned, non-profit organization overseen by a Board of Directors accountable to the provincial government.

It acts as a single source for all your auto-related needs in Manitoba. This means you can get your driver's license, register your vehicle and purchase mandatory auto insurance (Autopac) all through MPI.

Here’s how Autopac works:

• Mandatory coverage: Every registered vehicle in Manitoba must have Autopac insurance. This ensures all drivers have basic financial responsibility on the road.
• Premium setting: MPI sets insurance rates based on factors like your driving record, vehicle type and location. The goal is to provide stable and predictable rates, aiming to be one of the lowest in Canada.
• Non-profit focus: Since MPI is not driven by profit, surpluses from insurance premiums are reinvested into improving road safety initiatives and potentially lowering future rates.

You can use our comparator if you want to explore the Manitoba car insurance landscape — its coverage, rates, providers for optional coverage and more. Enter some details and get all the information you might need.

What does mandatory coverage include in Manitoba car insurance?

Under your mandatory car coverage in Manitoba, you will get:

• Personal injury protection (PIPP): Covers medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages and other income replacement benefits if you're injured in a car accident, regardless of who's at fault.
• Third-party liability: Covers costs associated with injuries or damage you cause to others in an accident, including property damage and medical expenses. The minimum coverage amount in Manitoba is $500,000, but it's important to note that this might not be enough in severe accidents.
• All-perils coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle caused by insured events like a collision (crashing into another object), upset (flipping over), vandalism, theft, fire, hail and other specified events.

To sum it up:

• PIPP helps cover your medical expenses and lost income if you're injured.
• Third-party liability covers costs if you injure someone else or damage their property.
• All-perils coverage helps repair or replace your car in case of certain events.

Where to get optional coverage for Manitoba car insurance?

While Autopac provides essential protection, the basic third-party liability coverage limits might not be enough for everyone. You might need additional coverage for peace of mind.

Good news: MPI allows you to purchase optional extensions on top of your Autopac for things like increased liability limits, lower deductibles or coverage for specific situations.

Obtaining optional coverage in Manitoba

• MPI extensions: MPI offers a variety of optional extensions that you can add to your Autopac policy. These extensions provide additional coverage for things that aren't included in the basic plan.
• Private insurance companies: For coverages not available through MPI extensions, you can purchase additional auto insurance from private insurance companies.

Types of optional coverage

Here are some popular optional coverages available in Manitoba:

1. Increased third-party liability: You can increase your basic Autopac liability coverage ($500,000) limit to get more financial protection.
2. Lower deductible: Optional coverage can help you lower your deductible for collision and comprehensive portions of your insurance.
3. Loss of use coverage: If your car is damaged or stolen and undrivable, this coverage helps cover the cost of renting a replacement vehicle.
4. New or leased vehicle coverage: This can provide added value protection for newer cars or leased vehicles that may depreciate slower than standard coverage reflects.
5. Accident forgiveness: It helps prevent your insurance premium from increasing after your first at-fault accident.

How much is car insurance in Manitoba per month?

MPI sets car insurance rates in Manitoba. The rate is based on individual factors, making it a bit difficult to give an exact monthly cost for Manitoba car insurance.

That said, the average yearly cost of car insurance in Manitoba is around $1,140, which translates to roughly $95 per month.

Is car insurance expensive in Manitoba?

Manitoba is in the middle of the pack compared to other provinces. It doesn't necessarily have the cheapest car insurance though.

Provinces with private insurance systems can offer more competition and potentially lower rates depending on your profile. Nevertheless, Manitoba's public system aims for stability and may offer lower premiums for higher-risk drivers who might face steeper costs elsewhere.

Here are car insurance rates across Canada to give you a better idea:

Use our comparator if you want to get personalized car insurance quotes based on your needs and preferences.

How to lower car insurance in Manitoba?

Manitoba's auto insurance system with MPI offers less flexibility compared to private insurance provinces.

But here are some ways that can help you influence your car insurance costs in Manitoba:

• Maintain a clean driving record: This is the most significant factor influencing your premium. Avoiding accidents and tickets translates to lower rates.
• Choose a safe and economical vehicle: Vehicles with good safety ratings, lower theft rates, and smaller engines tend to have lower insurance costs.
• Increase your deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay upfront before MPI kicks in for a claim. Raising your deductible lowers your premium, but remember you'll shoulder a higher cost if you need to make a claim.
• Take advantage of discounts: MPI offers discounts for things like taking approved driver training courses, insuring multiple vehicles or being a student with good grades.

Also, carefully evaluate optional extensions offered by MPI. Only add coverages you truly need to avoid paying for unnecessary extras.

Which companies offer the best coverage for Manitoba car insurance?

Private insurance companies cannot offer basic car insurance in Manitoba. Their role is limited to providing optional extensions for Autopac coverage or specific types of coverage not offered by MPI, such as classic car insurance.

Here are some options popular that you can consider:

1. Intact Insurance
2. TD Insurance
3. Pafco Car Insurance
4. Aviva Insurance
5. Sonnet Car Insurance

There might be more, but these providers are known for their affordable prices and comprehensive coverage. Check them out!

Is there any Manitoba car insurance calculator?

Yes, we have the MPI rate calculator! This tool on the MPI website allows you to input details about your vehicle, location and driving record to get a personalized estimate for your Autopac premium.

MPI considers four main factors to determine your specific rate:

1. Your vehicle: Make, model, year and safety features all influence the risk of claims associated with your car.
2. Your location: Where you live in Manitoba affects the risk of accidents and theft.
3. Your driving record: A clean driving record with no at-fault accidents or tickets translates to lower premiums.
4. Vehicle usage: How you use your car (pleasure, commuting, business) impacts the risk of claims.

If considering optional coverage beyond MPI, getting quotes from private insurance companies can be a good idea. Use our comparator and compare rates based on your specific situation.

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Sunny Yadav Copywriter

Sunny has over six years of experience curating engaging content spanning across industries. Specifically in finance, his expertise is insurance reviews and lending and investment topics.