The Manitoba Public Insurance is close to receiving more claims related to a June 9 storm than it has ever received from a single weather event.
Officials with the public insurer reported approximately 20,000 claims as of June 12 and said the total is expected to continue rising. The previous record was 24,000 claims, set in 1996.
In a public update, officials said the volume has forced changes to normal claims-handling procedures. “Processing this unprecedented number of claims is unfeasible using current processes,” officials said.
The statement went on to detail plans to conduct a phased responsto move customers through the claims process more quickly. “Because of the magnitude of this event, MPI is putting in place a new phased approach that will allow us to serve more customers, faster,” officials said.
The announcement follows temporary measures introduced June 10, when accredited repair facilities were advised that incoming hail estimate appointments would no longer be scheduled and that initial hail estimates would not be accepted from repair shops.
According to a June 12 notice to repair facilities, direct repair network shops will once again be permitted to complete hail estimates for a limited period. Those estimates must be submitted to the Manitoba Public Insurance by July 14.
The public insurer is also establishing a temporary Hail Response Centre at its Gateway Service Centre in Winnipeg. The facility will conduct preliminary assessments of vehicles that may be potential total losses before they enter the repair stream.
Earlier this week, the Automotive Trades Association of Manitoba advised members that physical damage and glass claims had already been trending above last year's levels before the storm. Following the June 9 event, the association warned repair facilities to expect increased demand from damaged windshields, back glass and other hail-related repairs.
