Reporting Accidents & Injuries in Manitoba

Learn exactly when a crash becomes “reportable,” how to inform police and Manitoba Public Insurance, and which deadlines can make or break your claim.

Driver exchanging information after a fender-bender on a Manitoba highway

Is Your Accident Reportable?

  • Property damage appears to be $5,000 CAD or more.
  • Any person involved reports pain, injury, or seeks medical care.
  • Hit & Run or unidentified third-party damage.
  • Commercial truck, taxi, bus, or rideshare vehicle involved.
  • Collision occurred outside Manitoba but you are a Manitoba resident.
Police attendance required when injuries or impaired driving suspected.
Wildlife strikes: keep evidence (fur, photos) to support claim.
Dash-cam footage should be backed-up within 24 hours.
Report to MPI within 7 days—late filings risk coverage loss.

Step-by-Step Reporting Guide

1. Secure the Scene & Collect Evidence

Move vehicles out of traffic if safe, switch on hazard lights, and photograph positions, skid marks, licence plates, and street signs. Note weather/light conditions and save dash-cam clips. Exchange information with all parties, including witnesses. Spending two extra minutes capturing wide-angle shots now can shave days off the adjuster’s investigation later.

2. Contact Police When Required

Dial 911 for injuries, impaired driving, aggressive behaviour, or blocked traffic. Otherwise, call Winnipeg Police non-emergency (204-986-6222) or local RCMP to obtain an occurrence number. A police file is mandatory for hit-and-run, theft, or property damage over $5,000. Requesting a brief incident number while still on the phone speeds up claim lookup and prevents delays when you file statements.

3. Notify Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)

Call MPI Claims Centre within 24 hours if possible, or use the online form within 7 days. Provide: driver licence, registration, police file number (if any), and crash details. You will receive a claim number and adjuster contact. Ask for available estimating appointments during the call so you can lock in a slot before peak queues build.

4. Seek Medical Assessment

Even minor aches can signal injury. Visit a physician or ER within 24 hours and request a Doctor’s First Report for MPI. Keep receipts for prescriptions or treatments; they may be reimbursable under PIPP. Maintaining a simple pain diary and collecting receipts daily helps validate ongoing treatment needs if your recovery stretches beyond the first few weeks.

5. Submit Statements & Documents

Within 30 days, file driver and vehicle statements, photos, medical forms, and witness contact details. Late or incomplete information can delay repairs, income replacement, or liability determination. Store documents in chronological order inside a labelled envelope—the clearer your package, the faster adjusters can review and authorize payments.

Special Situations

Required Documentation

Document Who Provides Deadline Pro Tip
Driver’s Statement All drivers Within 7 days Draft immediately while details are fresh; upload via MPI portal to skip mail delays.
Witness Contact Sheet Driver / Claimant ASAP Collect cell numbers on scene—people forget to answer unknown calls later.
Doctor’s First Report Physician 14 days Ask clinic to fax directly; keep fax confirmation for your records.
Police Occurrence Number Police Service 24 hrs if Hit-&-Run Request officer’s card; you’ll need the badge & file number for deductible waivers.
Photos / Dash-Cam Clips Driver / Passenger With initial claim Back-up to cloud; MPI may ask for original file metadata.

Deadline Checker

Insurance & Legal Implications

If you delay reporting, MPI can deny collision coverage or reduce your Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP) benefits. An unreported at-fault crash adds 5 demerit points to your Driver Safety Rating, potentially raising premiums by hundreds of dollars per year. Accurate medical documentation protects your right to income replacement. When liability is disputed or injuries are complex, legal advice can clarify limitation periods (2 years to sue under Manitoba law) and settlement options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act requires that all collisions meeting damage or injury thresholds be reported. Accepting cash without filing exposes you to hidden damage costs, injury claims weeks later, and possible hit-and-run allegations if the other driver reports first. Filing protects your Driver Safety Rating and documents facts while fresh.

You can. Even if you initially reported only property damage, you have up to 30 days to submit medical evidence for a bodily injury claim. Contact your adjuster immediately, see a physician, and provide a Doctor’s First Report. Delays may complicate wage-loss coverage and treatment approvals.

Typically no. MPI’s merit/demerit system applies surcharges primarily to at-fault collisions. Non-fault claims do not increase your Driver Safety Rating. However, multiple non-fault claims in a short period can trigger investigative reviews and may affect extension coverage premiums.

Collect the foreign driver’s licence, insurance proof, and passport details if possible. Notify local police, then file with MPI as usual. MPI’s subrogation team will pursue the foreign insurer. You still receive repairs or PIPP benefits first; your deductible may be refunded if recovery is successful.

MPI allows customers to pick any Direct Repair Program (DRP) partner shop. Choosing outside the DRP can lengthen assessment time and may require a pre-inspection. Verify the shop’s DRP status and book early—winter peaks can create wait-lists.

If MPI’s investigation or a successful subrogation claim confirms the other motorist is 100 % responsible, your deductible is refunded automatically. Reimbursement arrives by cheque or direct deposit within four to six weeks after liability is finalized. Partial fault—even one percent—means the deductible stays. Provide dash-cam footage and witness statements early to help prove you were not at fault and speed up the refund process.

Adjusters gather police diagrams, witness statements, scene photos, dash-cam clips, and sometimes vehicle telematics. They apply the MPI Fault Allocation Rules—a grid of common crash scenarios assigning percentages. In ambiguities, each driver may share responsibility. You are entitled to a written explanation of the decision; request it if unclear and supply additional evidence within 45 days if you believe the allocation is wrong.

Basic Autopac does not automatically include replacement vehicle coverage, but Extension Loss of Use or certain extension packages do. If you purchased Loss of Use, MPI arranges a rental immediately after the estimate, subject to class limits. Without it, you can still rent at your cost and recover expenses only if another fully insured driver is found 100 % at fault.

Yes. PIPP pays reasonable treatment costs incurred as a direct result of the collision, even months later, provided the treatments are medically necessary and pre-approved by your case manager. Submit receipts promptly and keep copies. Late submissions may require a physician narrative explaining why the expense relates to the original injury.

Footage becomes part of your claim file and is protected under Manitoba’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It may be shared with police, legal representatives, or other insurers involved in liability determinations, but it is not released publicly without your consent or a court order. Keep original files; MPI may need authenticity verification if litigation occurs.

Related Resources

Claims | Forms-Guides | Injury Claims | Common Claim Mistakes | FAQs

After You File: What Happens Next

Once your report is lodged and a claim number assigned, the file enters MPI’s triage system. Within a few business days an adjuster will contact you to confirm the facts, review liability questions, and outline what information is still required. Be prepared to email photos or dash-cam clips—supplying them promptly can eliminate follow-up calls and speed the investigation.

Property damage moves first to an estimating appointment at either a Service or Drive-In Centre. Technicians photograph your vehicle, prepare an initial repair blueprint, and note areas that may need tear-down to uncover hidden damage. If your vehicle is not drivable, MPI arranges towing and secures storage fees so you are not out-of-pocket.

After the estimate is finalized, you receive a settlement summary detailing parts costs, labour, sales tax, and the deductible to be applied. You can select any participating Direct Repair shop or ask the adjuster to assign one from a rotating list. Most body shops will call within 48 hours to schedule a drop-off date and discuss courtesy car availability if you have Loss-of-Use coverage.

Bodily injury matters are handled in parallel. A PIPP case manager mails you a benefit package—often within a week—including Income Replacement and Medical Expense claim forms. Submit these quickly; benefits are activated only after paperwork is complete. Prolonged absences from work may trigger Functional Capacity Evaluations or physician questionnaires, so keep your medical appointments and copies of every note.

Disagreements can arise over fault percentage, write-off decisions, or benefit entitlement. Start by speaking with your adjuster; many issues are resolved with supplementary evidence. If not, file an Internal Review within 60 days. Decisions can be appealed to the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission, and you still retain the right to civil action for property damage. Keep copies of every letter and mark diary dates—deadlines are strict.

Information on this site is for general guidance in Manitoba; consult qualified professionals for legal advice.