Do You Need Insurance To Register a Vehicle In Manitoba?
Yes, insurance is mandatory to register a vehicle in Manitoba. Under Manitoba law, all vehicles must have valid Autopac insurance coverage through Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) before registration can be completed. The province operates under a compulsory public insurance system that requires vehicle owners to obtain both registration and insurance coverage simultaneously.
Legal Requirements Under Manitoba Law
The requirement for vehicle insurance before registration is established under The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act, C.C.S.M. c. P215 and The Drivers and Vehicles Act. The legislation mandates that the registrar must not register a vehicle unless the insurance premium and any additional premium prescribed under The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act have been paid.
The legislative framework ensures that every vehicle registered in Manitoba carries appropriate insurance coverage through MPI before it can legally operate on public roadways.
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
In Manitoba, all vehicle owners are required to have Autopac Basic insurance through MPI, which includes three mandatory coverage categories:
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Personal Injury Insurance: The Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP) provides comprehensive no-fault coverage for all Manitoba residents injured in automobile accidents anywhere in Canada or the United States, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. PIPP benefits include income replacement at 90% of net income (maximum insurable gross yearly income of $120,000), medical and rehabilitation expenses, personal care assistance, caregiver expenses, death benefits, and funeral expenses (up to $10,308), and enhanced coverage for catastrophic injuries with permanent impairment indemnities.
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All-Perils Insurance: Comprehensive protection against damage to your own vehicle as a result of insured collision, vehicle upset, or other causes such as vandalism, theft, hail, and fire. Basic coverage provides protection for accidental loss or damage in Canada or the U.S., with a maximum insured value of $70,000, including taxes for most vehicles. Loss of use coverage is included for stolen vehicles (up to $56 per day to a maximum of $1,680 as of July 1, 2024).
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Third-Party Liability Insurance: Basic coverage provides protection up to $500,000 against claims others make against you for injury, death, or property damage. This coverage protects vehicle owners when driving their own vehicle or when someone else drives their vehicle with permission, and covers drivers operating someone else's vehicle with the owner's permission. Coverage applies to property damage in Manitoba and personal injuries or property damage outside Manitoba but within Canada and the United States.
You can purchase your Autopac insurance through MPI's province-wide network of more than 300 independent Autopac agents.
Registration Without Insurance is Prohibited
Manitoba law explicitly prohibits vehicle registration without valid insurance coverage. Vehicle registration and insurance need to be purchased together as a vehicle must be both registered and insured in Manitoba.
The registration and insurance application process requires vehicle owners to:
- Complete the required registration documentation
- Provide proof of vehicle ownership (bill of sale, transfer of ownership documents)
- Provide a valid Certificate of Inspection for used vehicles
- Pay prescribed insurance premiums and registration fees simultaneously
The insurance documentation must meet specific requirements:
- Be issued by Manitoba Public Insurance or an authorized Autopac agent
- Include the full legal name(s) of the person(s) requesting registration
- Provide Autopac Basic coverage that meets minimum provincial requirements
- Be valid and current at the time of registration