Winnipeg contractor says MPI playing hard ball as he looks to get settlement for stolen work truck

One Winnipeg contractor has been fighting Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) for what he feels should be a full settlement, after one of his work trucks was stolen four months ago.

In April, one of Greg Simmons’ seven work trucks was stolen in the middle of the night. He reached out to MPI and set up a meeting with them to explain the situation.

“The questions that we were being asked, it was more like an interrogation. They were treating us very suspiciously, like we had somehow set up this theft,” explained Simmons.

“We’re very confused as to why they (MPI) are operating this way.”

Simmons says he was taken aback by the whole situation. He was told, at the time, if the truck was not found in 30 days, it would be considered a right-off. After about a month of silence, Simmons called the adjustor at MPI, only to find out that his truck was actually found, and they forgot to inform him – leaving him nothing but frustrated.

“Were a seasonal contractor. This is our busy time, and it affected our sales greatly.”

Simmons was forced to replace the three-quarter tonne diesel stolen truck with a new one, as the damage was beyond repair and included stolen tools and bags of meth. In addition to paying over $22,000 for the new truck, he was forced to install trackers on the six other trucks.

Simmons says MPI is only willing to give $5,800 in compensation, but he feels he should be given back the full amount.

“We’re in this extremely busy time and I would’ve hoped that MPI would’ve been there to help us through this time, but instead it has been a massive burden. It’s been a financial restaurant and extreme frustration on the part of myself and my employees in dealing with MPI.”

CityNews has reached out to MPI, but have not heard back at this time.

Simmons says he feels he’s been taken advantage of throughout this ordeal.

“I’ve dealt with MPI multiple times in the past and always have had a good experience, actually better than I would’ve expected. This time, it was an absolute nightmare and things have absolutely changed at MPI.”