While Saskatchewan’s public insurer SGI is rapidly turning the province into a very unfriendly place for motorcyclists, things are different in Manitoba.
While their next-door neighbours in Regina have jacked riders’ insurance rates sky-high in recent years, Manitoba Public Insurance is instead planning to give many riders a bit of an insurance break this year, while car drivers see their rates go up.
According to CBC, MPI is considering rate hikes that will see most car drivers with a 1.7 per cent increase, paying $17 more for their annual insurance. But they’re planning to switch that for motorcyclists, giving riders a 1.7 per cent decrease in their insurance dues (except for scooters and mopeds, who will pay a few bucks more).
That number isn’t a big deal on the surface — a 1.7 per cent decrease is probably enough to buy a tank of gas for most Manitoban riders. The significance isn’t the amount, it’s the principle. Motorcyclists are seeing steep rate hikes in some Canadian jurisdictions, and it is important to see at least one province is viewing motorcyclists as more than a segment of society that can be pushed around at the whim of the non-riding majority. It’s time for riders in other provinces to get their politicians on board with similar changes. If we don’t start the pushback soon, only the well-heeled will be able to afford riding in places like Quebec or Saskatchewan.
Anything you can do for Quebec. It is highway robery here….for plates alone, we need help, never mind insurance rates!!!!!
About time
86 FZ600 was 1800 per year with a notice stating claims will not exceed 1500.
Forgive me for not jumping up and down with excitement
I guess it is a better idea to have a customized insurance for each riders. There may b lots of riders who never put the bike on ground and there r riders who do it always. Then we all have to pay for it. I dont think that is justifiable.
Still seems expensive in MB. Using the MPI rate calculator (lowest cost options – i.e., maximum discount, minimum coverage, highest deductible), my 2007 Triumph Tiger would cost $1494 to insure in Manitoba. I pay $224 in Nova Scotia (lowest cost options)…
As a rider from SK, they can jack up the prices all they want, it’s not going to matter. It’s already cheaper for me, and most people I know, to buy 4 of the 8 day permits instead of actually plating my bike.
How about ontario and Quebec !!!!