Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) said it has received over 1,200 claims in the wake of a severe storm that swept through the province last week. The number is expected to surge further as more individuals report their losses.
The storm, which struck Manitoba on July 25 and 26, unleashed a barrage of hail, rain, and powerful winds, causing widespread damage to property and vehicles.
MPI also told CTV News that it has designated its Gateway Service Centre as a dedicated hail claims centreits Gateway Service Centre as a dedicated hail claims centre to focus resources. Individuals who report hail damage will now be booked at this centre for vehicle inspections.
Additional hail claim services will be made available at Steinbach, Beausejour, Arborg, and Selkirk in the coming days, MPI said. The Crown corporation has reassured customers that hail damage is covered under all basic insurance plans.
To qualify for coverage, drivers must pay their deductible and any applicable depreciation on their vehicles. The remaining costs of necessary repairs will be covered by Basic Autopac, according to MPI.
Customers are advised to contact MPI at 204-985-7000 to report damages and initiate the claims process.
MPI recently revealed that it had seen its claims costs surge to $1.2 billion during the 2022-23 fiscal year, up from $164.6 million the previous year. It attributed the increase to inflation, rising labour rates, supply chain issues, and the higher prices of used vehicles.
Despite the higher claims costs, board chair Ward Keith said MPI is in a strong financial position to continue providing affordable auto insurance for drivers in Manitoba.
“The corporation’s focus remains on fiscal prudence to maintain and control costs, which ultimately contributes to lower vehicle insurance rates for Manitobans,” he said.
What are your thoughts on this story? Feel free to comment below.
