Article Summary
Manitoba collision repair shops are overwhelmed with a record backlog after a June hailstorm generated nearly 29,000 insurance claims, surpassing the previous single-event record of 24,000 claims from 1996. MPI opened two response centres to handle preliminary vehicle assessments, but shops expect repairs to continue for approximately six months.
- Manitoba received nearly 29,000 hail claims from the June storm, exceeding the previous record of 24,000 claims set in 1996
- Heavy rainfall totals ranged from 121 mm to 255 mm across southern Manitoba, with some areas experiencing overland flooding
- MPI opened two Hail Response Centres in Winnipeg offering about 400 appointments daily for preliminary vehicle assessments
- Auto body shop owners report repair work is expected to continue for approximately six months due to the massive backlog
- Flooding in western Manitoba disrupted MPI services, forcing closure of the Dauphin Service Centre and cancellation of mobile appointments
Winnipeg — Manitoba collision repair shops are still dealing with a record hail backlog as the province recovers from heavy rain and overland flooding from early June.
Manitoba Public Insurance has received nearly 29,000 claims from the major June hailstorm, according to a public update issued June 30. That is higher than the previous single-event record of 24,000 claims, set after a 1996 hailstorm.
Collision Repair’s earlier coverage reported about 20,000 claims by June 12. Since then, the total has passed the old record, MPI has opened a second hail response centre in Winnipeg and flooding has disrupted some insurer services in western Manitoba.
The storm system brought hail, wind and heavy rain to southern Manitoba. Provincial flood officials reported rainfall totals above 100 mm in several areas, including 121 mm near Woodlands, 230 mm near Petersfield and 255 mm near Stonewall.
MPI opened its first Hail Response Centre at the Gateway Service Centre in Winnipeg on June 17. A second centre opened June 25 at the Main Street Service Centre. According to MPI, the two centres were expected to offer about 400 appointments each day.
The centres are being used for preliminary assessments of vehicles that may be total losses before they move further into the repair stream. Eligible customers are also being directed to Direct Repair shops and authorized paintless dent repair facilities for full estimates.
The repair pressure is already showing up at Winnipeg-area shops.
“We had the largest hail storm,” said Shamsher Singh, owner of Town Auto Body. “MPI is working on it but we are dealing with all the estimates right now, and cars got a lot of damage.”
Singh said the hail damage was heavier than his business expected.
“We never expected that much hail to happen,” Singh said. “Usually we get a little bit of hail but this hail was big. It’s going to keep us busy for another six months or so.”
He said paintless dent repair shops are already working through damaged vehicles, while the estimating process continues.
“All the PDR shops are working on it right now and MPI is working on the estimates but it’s a slow process,” Singh said.
Singh also said some estimating work is not leading to paid repair work when vehicles are later written off.
A staff member at Arlington Auto Body said flooding has not had much impact on that facility, but hail has caused a vehicle backlog.
A later round of rain created a separate problem in western Manitoba. MPI cancelled mobile estimating and driver testing appointments in the Dauphin area on June 30 because of overland flooding. The Dauphin Service Centre and Swan River Claims Centre were closed July 2 and reopened July 3, while mobile appointments in the Dauphin area remained cancelled.
Provincial flood officials said July 8 that water levels on most Manitoba rivers and creeks had peaked and were declining after significant rainfall events. The province remained in flood response in some areas.
For customers with storm-damaged vehicles, MPI guidance remains based on damage type and severity. Non-drivable vehicles should be reported through MPI’s contact centre. Drivable vehicles can be reported online. Customers with glass damage can contact an accredited autobody or glass repair shop to open a claim and arrange a temporary repair.
