About 200,000 COVID-19 rebate cheques are being sent to Canada Post this week, Manitoba Public Insurance announced today. In total, 680,000 cheques will be issued in coming weeks, for a total rebate amount of $312 million. It’s expected all cheques will be mailed by mid-February.

“The pandemic has negatively impacted many Manitobans personal finances, but it has also reduced the collision claims to MPI allowing for a rebate,” Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Justice and Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) said. “Returning these funds to its customers benefits Manitobans and is in keeping with the mandate of Manitoba Public Insurance.

“The last two years have been a challenging time in our province. This current rebate is both positive and welcomed. Together, we’ll work our way through this challenging time in our province.”

This is the third MPI COVID-19 rebate in less than two years. In total, MPI will have provided rebates of nearly $500 million to its policy holders – $110 million in May 2020 and $69 million in December 2020. This latest will result in about $328 rebated to an average private passenger policy.

“The financial strength of MPI has allowed us to once again provide a COVID-related rebate cheque,” said Eric Herbelin, President & CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Once again the public auto insurance model demonstrates its strength and financial benefits to our customers.”

The rebate is calculated on the Basic Autopac premiums paid between November 22, 2020, and December 9, 2021, and is expected to be about 27 per cent of the customer’s annual Basic Autopac premium. Rebate amounts of $10 or less will be credited to the customer’s account.