MPI cracks down on rideshare insurance fraud, cuts underinsurance by 80%
Posted October 8, 2026 4:55 pm.
Last Updated October 8, 2026 8:05 pm.
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) says it has cut down underinsurance and fraud by rideshare drivers by 80 per cent since February.
The crackdown comes after an initial review in December 2025 found that more than a quarter of vehicles out of a random sampling of over 400 rideshare vehicles were operating without the Vehicle For Hire (VFH) coverage. Drivers had changed their coverage to a lower-premium personal All Purpose or Pleasure Use policies once they signed up on rideshare platforms providing the VFH coverage.
Further analysis showed that the insurer lost an estimated $260,000 in underpaid premiums between December 2025 and February 2026.
“Vehicles were not insured in the proper group that they should be,” said Satvir Jatana, president and CEO, MPI.
“MPI is taking this very seriously, we are accountable to Manitobans, and it’s our responsibility to pursue all options to ensure keep our premiums low, affordable, stable,” Jatana said.
The insurer partnered with the City of Winnipeg and used data analysis to conduct targeted enforcement resulting in a significant reduction in underinsurance and fraud.
“There is a penalty notice, or fine under the Vehicle For Hire bylaw for not having the proper insurance, so those have been issued where vehicles have been found to have actually provided a trip without proper insurance,” said Grant Heather, manager of Vehicles For Hire, City of Winnipeg.
MPI has also identified claims where drivers misrepresented how they were using their vehicle at the time of a collision. They’ve identified 36 claims totaling approximately $189,000 involving rideshare activity without appropriate insurance coverage.
“When a driver chooses to change the coverage from a ride share to a personal use, and continues to operate as a ride share, that is fraud, plain and simple,” Jatana said.
The organization says they are exploring all options in accordance with legislation, including conversations with law enforcement as well.
MPI says the issue may not be the fault of rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft, but could be a result of Manitoba’s unique rideshare legislation.
“In most other jurisdictions, the rideshares would be the insured company, then they provide coverage to individuals in (in alignment) when they issue the ride,” Jatana said. “In Manitoba, drivers can buy the coverage separately apart from the rideshare company.”
Uber Canada told CityNews in a statement, “We believe it’s time for Manitoba to adopt the model used across Canada, where rideshare companies like Uber purchase umbrella insurance coverage for trips on their platform, rather than requiring drivers to arrange their own rideshare coverage.”
Lyft meanwhile says they will continue to work collaboratively with MPI and the City of Winnipeg to help ensure drivers meet all applicable insurance and regulatory requirements
