Manitoba Public Insurance wants to cut Autopac rates by one per cent next year.

MPI is applying to the Public Utilities Board for an overall one per cent drop for the 2009-2010 insurance year.

Statistics show auto theft continues to drop in Manitoba and MPI says it's partially because of the immobilizer program.

"Last year our auto crimes claims costs were $11.7 million lower than we expected them to be," said MPI President and CEO Marilyn McLaren. "The decreases have a lot to do with our immobilizer program. Since the law took effect in September of 2007, more than 40,000 vehicles have got immobilizers."

MPI says there were about 2,500 fewer vehicles stolen in 2007. And for the first five months of 2008, auto theft was down 43.9 per cent in Winnipeg, and 40.7 per cent overall for the province.

McLaren also said MPI is benefiting from 'astute financial planning' and has done well in its investments.

AVERAGE ADJUSTMENTS IN REVENUE


Major Use

Applied for Rate Changes

Private Passenger

-1.5%

Commercial

3.9%

Public

2.3%

Motorcycles

7.2%

Trailers

3.4%

Off Road Vehicles

-14.3%

Overall (applied for)

-1.0%