Simpler Ratings System for MPI Drivers

Terri Goveia | January 26, 2010

How’s my driving? A new Manitoba safety ratings system is about to tell Manitoba drivers just that by measuring their safety rating and saving good drivers more on premiums.

The Driver Safety Rating system will simplify the current system, using a single scale to determine rates instead of the four surcharge and merit programs now in place, MPI announced January 25. The new scale places drivers somewhere on a 32-level merit scale depending on their driving record, and their level matches up with a corresponding premium.

Though the scale still uses a merit and demerit approach to premiums—the type of car and where a driver lives also factor in-- it is “a little more forgiving” to long-term safe drivers who suddenly find themselves at-fault in an accident, says Brian Smiley, MPI spokesman. He points out that the DSR would recognize a driver’s long-term record if he or she had 15 merits and dropped to 10 or even 5 after two bad-luck accidents. “You’ll still get a discount,” he says. “Under the old system, you’d pay surcharges.”

Although the DSR won’t take effect until March 1, 2010, Autopac drivers set to renew that month are already receiving their ratings with renewal notices. Rolling renewals will continue throughout the year, and all Autopac drivers should be on the new system by March, 2011.

New ratings, greater savings

The new system is expected to save drivers up to 25% on their premiums.

“The majority of Manitobans are good drivers,” said Marilyn McLaren, MPI’s president and CEO, in announcing the switch. “Under the new program, 93% of all Manitoba drivers will pay the same or less for their Autopac.”

Under the new system, the better the driving record, the higher the ranking, and the lower the premium. For example, a driver with five merits under the current system could earn up to 15 merits under the new one if they haven’t had any at-fault accidents or traffic convictions for 15 years. That merit level will also net them a $30 discount on their driver’s license and a 25% discount on their premium.

The other benefit of the program, according to Smiley: “It shows drivers how their driving behaviour affects them.”