Manitoba drivers will see a modest increase in mandatory auto insurance rates next year, but it won’t be as much as MPI had wanted.
Manitoba Public Insurance was seeking a 2.07 percent increase, but the Public Utilities Board approved a 1.77 percent rate hike to the insurer’s basic coverage.
The increase, which takes effect April 1, 2026, will add an average of $21.89 per year — about $1.82 per month — to a typical private passenger vehicle policy.
The PUB also approved several structural changes to MPI’s rate system. The number of vehicle rate groups for private passenger and light trucks will expand from 41 to 45, allowing premiums to better reflect claims costs for higher-risk vehicles.
In addition, the driver safety rating scale will be extended to a new +20 level. Drivers who reach that level will receive a 53 percent discount on vehicle insurance and a 55 percent discount on driver insurance, rewarding long-term safe driving.
MPI will also adjust its basic deductible from $750 to $1,000 beginning in April 2026. Customers who want to keep a lower deductible can do so by purchasing optional extension coverage, while those who prefer a higher deductible may benefit from lower overall costs.
All approved changes apply to MPI’s Basic mandatory insurance and will come into effect at the start of the 2026–27 insurance year.
