MPI is Manitoba's public insurer, except when it comes to certain emergency vehicles.
In Winnipeg, fire trucks are insured by the city; a fact that has led to long delays for one driver whose car was hit by a fire truck this August.
"They just didn't see me," said Beverley Mcfarlane, who was on her way to work when the collision took place. “They jumped out, made sure I was ok, and explained they just didn't see me right away."
The crash caused extensive damage to Mcfarlane’s car, including severe tears and dents to the exterior that left the vehicle vulnerable to theft.
Mcfarlane said the driver admitted he was at fault, and thus she expected the damage would be repaired quickly with the deductible waived.
Neither happened.
"Their word was that the City of Winnipeg was refusing to accept liability because they wanted to see all the documentation related to the accident," said Mcfarlane.
Under the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act, the City of Winnipeg can act as its own insurer.
However, MPI said regardless of who insures the vehicle, all claims must be investigated before liability can be assessed and deductibles will be repaid after the driver is found to be innocent.
The second option: a driver can wait. If they're found to be innocent, they won't have to pay at all.
Now, two months after the accident, that's exactly what happended in Mcfarlane's case.
"My deductible got waived,” she said.
CTV reached out to the city with additional questions.
In a statement to CTV, the city said it "will refer individuals who have been involved in a vehicle incident with a city vehicle to MPI for investigation, adjusting and determination of fault."
