Car Insurance in Manitoba: How Autopac Works
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Car insurance in Manitoba is built around Autopac, the public plan run by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI). Every vehicle on the road needs Autopac Basic, and it bundles injury, liability, and vehicle damage coverage in one product. You can then add options to raise your liability limit or lower your deductible. This guide explains what Basic covers, how your driving record changes the price, and what the latest rate decisions mean for you. For other provinces and insurance types, start from our insurance hub.
All figures come from MPI, as of October 18, 2026.
How car insurance works in Manitoba
Manitoba uses a public insurer for mandatory coverage. MPI says that to operate a vehicle on the road you need a valid registration and Autopac insurance, and that Autopac Basic is required. You buy it through MPI's network of more than 300 independent Autopac agents.
Basic rates are regulated. Each year MPI files a General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB), an independent regulator, which approves or changes the request. Your own premium then depends on your vehicle and your place on the Driver Safety Rating scale.
Injury coverage works on a no-fault basis through the Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP). MPI says compensation is guaranteed for all injured people, regardless of who was at fault.
What Autopac Basic covers
As of October 18, 2026, MPI lists these Basic coverages and limits:
- Third-party liability: up to $500,000
- All-perils coverage: collision, upset, and comprehensive losses such as theft, vandalism, hail, and fire
- All-perils maximum insured value: $70,000, including taxes
- Basic deductible: $1,000, for policies taking effect after April 1, 2026
- PIPP injury coverage: for all Manitoba residents, in Canada and the United States
Basic all-perils coverage applies in Canada and the U.S. You pay the deductible and any depreciation, and Basic pays the rest, according to MPI.
Personal Injury Protection Plan
PIPP follows you, whether or not you own a vehicle. MPI says all Manitoba residents carry it wherever they travel in Canada and the United States. From April 1, 2026, MPI lists these benefit levels:
- Income replacement: 90% of net income
- Maximum insurable income: $123,000 gross yearly earned income
- Permanent impairment, non-catastrophic injuries: up to $194,159
- Permanent impairment, catastrophic injuries: up to $306,580
Optional coverage in Manitoba
Basic is a solid base, but two limits often deserve a second look. The first is liability. MPI offers higher limits of $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million, which matter if you cause a serious crash outside Manitoba where lawsuits are allowed.
The second is the deductible. MPI raised the Basic deductible to $1,000 for policies taking effect after April 1, 2026, and says options are available to lower it. If paying $1,000 after a claim would strain your budget, ask your agent to price a lower deductible.
Vehicles worth more than $70,000, including taxes, also need attention. Basic insures any vehicle for at most that amount, so a more expensive car can be underinsured without extra coverage.
How much car insurance costs in Manitoba
MPI does not publish a single average Basic premium on its consumer pages. What it does publish is the rate change approved each year, and the dollar effect on the average private passenger vehicle.
For the 2026/27 insurance year, the PUB approved a 1.77% overall increase in Basic rates, effective April 1, 2026. MPI had asked for 2.07%. According to MPI's statement on the PUB order, that works out to $21.89 a year, about $1.82 a month, on the average private passenger vehicle.
The next decision is already in motion. On June 24, 2026, MPI filed a request for a 2.38% overall increase for the 2027/28 insurance year. The PUB has not ruled on it as of October 18, 2026. The table below sums up these figures.
| Insurance year | MPI request | PUB decision | Effect on average private passenger vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 (from April 1, 2026) | +2.07% | +1.77% | +$21.89 a year (about $1.82 a month) |
| 2027/28 | +2.38% | Pending as of October 18, 2026 | Not published |
For a broader look at what drives premiums across Canada, see our guide to how much car insurance costs.
The Driver Safety Rating
Your place on the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale has a direct effect on what you pay. Safe driving moves you up the scale, and at-fault claims or convictions move you down.
For policies taking effect on or after April 1, 2026, MPI says the scale has 41 levels, including a new level +20 at the top. MPI lists these savings and charges:
- Top of the scale, vehicle premium: up to 53% off
- Top of the scale, driver's licence: up to $30 more in savings
- Highest-risk drivers, licence premium: up to $3,010, with no vehicle discount
How to lower your premium
Start with your Driver Safety Rating. Each year without at-fault claims or convictions moves you up the scale, and the top level saves up to 53% on your vehicle premium. That is the biggest lever you control.
Next, check your coverage against your car. If your vehicle is worth less than it used to be, your options may no longer fit. If it is worth more than $70,000, Basic alone leaves a gap. Our insurance comparison tool and our guide to cheap car insurance can help you weigh options.
Finally, choose your deductible on purpose. A lower deductible costs more each year but protects your cash after a claim. A higher one saves on the premium if you can afford it.
- Deductible chosen on purpose: compare the price of the $1,000 Basic deductible with a lower option.
- Liability above $500,000: price the $1 million, $2 million, and $5 million options if you drive outside Manitoba.
- Vehicle value checked: add coverage if your car is worth more than $70,000, including taxes.
- DSR level known: check your current level and how far you are from the next discount.
Conclusion
Car insurance in Manitoba starts with Autopac Basic from MPI. It includes $500,000 in liability, all-perils coverage up to $70,000, and no-fault injury coverage through PIPP. The Basic deductible rose to $1,000 for policies taking effect after April 1, 2026.
Basic rates rose 1.77% on April 1, 2026, about $21.89 a year for the average vehicle, and MPI has asked for 2.38% for 2027/28. Your Driver Safety Rating will move your own price far more than those averages. If you are new to the topic, our explainer on what car insurance is covers the basics.
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Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Manitoba
Is Autopac mandatory in Manitoba?
Yes. MPI says you need a valid registration and Autopac insurance to operate a vehicle on the road, and Autopac Basic is required. You buy it from one of more than 300 independent Autopac agents. Options such as higher liability or a lower deductible are added on top. Our guide to what car insurance is explains each coverage.
How much liability does Autopac Basic include?
Autopac Basic includes third-party liability up to $500,000, according to MPI. You can raise it to $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million. A higher limit matters most if you drive outside Manitoba, where a lawsuit after a serious crash can exceed $500,000. Compare options on our insurance comparison tool.
What is the Autopac deductible in 2026?
The Basic deductible is $1,000 for policies taking effect after April 1, 2026. It applies to collision, vandalism, hail, theft, and most other claims under all-perils coverage. MPI says options are available to lower it. Ask your Autopac agent for the price of each deductible before you renew.
How much did Autopac rates go up in 2026?
The Public Utilities Board approved a 1.77% overall increase in Basic rates, effective April 1, 2026. MPI says that is $21.89 a year, about $1.82 a month, for the average private passenger vehicle. MPI has also asked for a 2.38% increase for 2027/28, which the PUB had not decided as of October 18, 2026. Our guide to car insurance costs explains other price factors.
How does the Driver Safety Rating work?
The DSR scale places you according to your driving record. For policies from April 1, 2026, it has 41 levels, with a new level +20 at the top. Drivers at the top save up to 53% on vehicle premiums and up to $30 more on their licence. The highest-risk drivers pay up to $3,010 on their licence and get no vehicle discount.
Does PIPP cover me outside Manitoba?
Yes, in Canada and the United States. MPI says all Manitoba residents carry PIPP coverage wherever they travel in those two countries. Benefits are paid regardless of fault, with income replacement at 90% of net income up to $123,000 of gross yearly earned income. Read more guides in our insurance hub.
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