Manitoba Public Insurance Media Release Manitoba Public Insurance and its ratepayers saved $31.6 million from 2012 to 2015 thanks to successful anti-fraud efforts by the public auto insurer. March is Fraud Prevention Month and this year marks the 13th anniversary of the annual education and awareness campaign that encourages Canadians to recognize, reject and report fraud. Manitoba Public Insurance fully supports this initiative and is dedicated to keeping automobile insurance rates as low as possible by combating insurance fraud. Suspicious claims are handled by Manitoba Public Insurance’s Special Investigation Unit, which is comprised primarily of retired police officers who investigate about 3,000 claims yearly. "These financial savings ($31.6 million in four years), is based on a reconciliation of money recovered and fraudulent claims denied," said Ward Keith, vice-president, Loss Prevention and Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance. "These fraud savings directly benefit insurance rate payers, and result from a dedicated focus on investigating potential fraudulent claims that may involve vehicle fires, hit and run claims or staged collisions.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   In addition to the efforts of its investigators, Manitoba Public Insurance also has an excellent working relationship with police agencies. The Corporation also operates a dedicated TIPS Line, which is a valuable source of information for SIU investigators. “The bottom line is that insurance fraud costs everyone so we encourage all Manitobans to come forward through our TIPS Line and report suspected auto insurance fraud and speak out against this kind of illegal behaviour,” said Keith. “All calls are anonymous.” Manitoba Public Insurance’s TIPS Line is: 985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477. Keith explained that Manitoba Public Insurance continually reviews its anti-fraud strategies, specifically aimed at keeping step with fraudsters. Insurance fraud – automobile, home or health care – costs Canadians more than $3 billion a year in premiums, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Organizations around the world lose an estimated five per cent of their annual revenues to fraud, according to a survey of fraud experts conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

Brandon police are searching for a suspect who walked into a Brandon business on Thursday afternoon demanding money.  The male suspect had his face covered and had a large knife in his pocket.  He was given a quantity of cash and fled the scene prior to Police arriving.  The incident happened at approximately 4:30 on Thursday, in the 1600 block of Princess Avenue.  The suspect is described as a tall male, aboriginal in appearance.  He was wearing a grey winter jacket, grey hooded sweater, black pants, and a black and white scarf at the time of the robbery.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

October 29, Brandon, MB – The 41st Manitoba AG EX is wrapping up and organizers are very pleased with the results. With close to 200 cattle exhibitors, almost 700 cattle and approximately 150 horse exhibitors, the final number of livestock involved in this year’s event is close to 1300. Co-Chair of Manitoba AG EX, Dallas Johnson, reported that this was a fantastic week for the cattle industry with record cattle registration numbers and the entire committee is thrilled with the big turnout for the rodeo events. “Attendance was really good over the four days.” Said Ron Kristjansson, general manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “We can’t really say whether it’s an increase over past years because this is a brand new event for Brandon. We can say that all of the groups involved are as happy as we are with the end result and planning for next year has already started. “ “We had 27 two -year old horses entered this year for the Manitoba Super Horse futurity and we handed out over $40,000 in cash and prizes.” Said Julie Bridgeman, head organizer for Manitoba Superhorse. Alistair Hagan reported standing room only at their Hagan Performance and Ranch sale and Shawn Parsons reported that approximately 100 teams competed in the two days of the Fall Classic Ranch Sorting competition. Tickets for the Manitoba Finals Rodeo were still on sale at the time of this release, but early reports from Ron Kristjansson estimated close to 6000 spectators attended the rodeo over the three nights of competition. Dan Tober, president of the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association was busy volunteering his time at the championship rodeo performance and unavailable for comment but did report that MRCA was very pleased with the partnership and impressed with the way the event turned out this year. Results for the Cattle shows and rodeo events will be made available at www.manitobaagex.com once they have been confirmed.  

Three people have been charged with a variety of crimes following a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway, west of Carberry. RCMP say that on March the 2nd, at around 1:00 pm, they stopped a 2017 Dodge Durrango that was travelling 150 km/h in a posted 100 km/h zone. A search of the Durrango netted a small amount of marijuana and more than $200,000 in cash. Darren Gurniak, 50, from Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Justin Poitras, 28, and Lea Murrell, 30, both from Winnipeg, face a number of drug related charges including Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.  The investigation is on-going. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Photo: Royal Canadian Mounted Police In Manitoba

This storm has affected travel in and around Westman by road and by air. Manitoba511.ca has a current list of highways closed in the area, including the Transcanada #1, east and west of Brandon, #10 both north and south. Effectively leaving the region at a temporary standstill. Westjet has cancelled the 6AM flight (WS3257) scheduled for Tuesday March 7th departure from the Brandon airport and will provide updates as to the status of the March 7th, 1:20pm flight (WS3243) which is still scheduled. Westjet and Brandon City officials, urge travelers to stay tuned to updates and NOT travel to the Brandon Airport at present, as it is closed. What can you do in the case of a cancelled or delayed flight? Use your technology and stay tuned to official websites for accurate information. Westjet.com has an advisory section and they will post notices which could potentially affect travel. In many cases, these notices will also effectively waive cancellation and change fees if you are confirmed passenger. So, to pursue changes, you call your booking agent. If you booked with Westjet directly, call them at 1-888-WESTJET (1-888-937-8538) to speak with an agent.  If you used a local travel agent, call them. If you used Expedia.ca, call them. It will be up to your sales provider to help you make changes. Cancellation and change fees can vary from $50 to $200, or a percentage of your fare paid, depending on the airline. It's good to know this ahead of time. (However, you could get lucky (like this present situation with Westjet) and have the airline waive fees due to highway and local closures.) Should you choose an alternate flight, which is at a higher price than you paid, you will be asked to pay the difference in fare. Before you pick up the phone to make any changes, you need 3 things: 1) Confirmation numbers, ticket numbers etc. 2) Know your options. (Is there a flight time later in the day, or next day, that still works for you?) What would your ideal solution be? Refund? Different flight? 3) Patience. Understand that weather is out of anyone's control, and repeating "but it's my son's birthday and I just HAVE to get there" over and over, is pointless and frustrating. Do your best to let the customer service agent use their expertise to guide you quickly and efficiently. The airline, hotel, and travel agent have no more control over the weather than you do. They are also under no obligation to refund your money (you are most likely to receive 'future travel credits' from your airline.) or offer you any compensation. The exception to the above is comprehensive travel insurance, that INCLUDES weather related incidents. Properly documented, you should be inline to receive money back rather than credits.