Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 6, 2000, Winnipeg, Manitoba A8 local win pm 2000 Drivers to get Money off aut Opac premiums by Paul Mckie Manitoba Drivers can expect to have about taken off their aut Opac premiums after the Public utilities Board approved new rate structures the pub approved Manitoba Public insurances november submission for a onetime refund of a million sur plus to the people who paid the premi the rebates begin March the pub also approved a formula in which Mph will always refund any sur plus the move comes in response to the Public outcry Over an earlier plan that saw million of the surplus going to Manitoba universities for infrastructure Mph reversed the policy after critics charged that the Crown corporation was subsidizing government apis Marilyn Vic Epresi Dent of corporate insurance said the rebate is an unusual onetime Only at a time when motor vehicle insurance rates Are going up across the we dont expect to Ever do it she Mclaren attributed the surplus to a booming More vehicles on the Road without an expected increase in and Good returns on some consumer groups had asked the pub for a base rate reduction As but the pub declined the request because of the per cent the Board is reluctant to consider a reduction in base premiums at this time in addition to the surplus to do so would seriously Impact the accepted principles of understandable and acceptable wrote the Board in its 54page Gerri executive director of the Manitoba society of said despite not getting the five per cent rate reduction the group Shes still pleased with the pub not Only do Manitoban get the rebate Moss opposed the move to give Money to the universities but Mph was asked to reassess How it calculates but Mclaren said Mph is always re evaluating its risk assessment method ology and How it arrives at the rate stabilization Reserve the Rosr is in place to offset any unusual increases in insurance Mph believes the Rosr should be in the million to Mil lion the pub prefers million to the new Structure also sets up new rate structures for while the majority of motorcycle riders will see a sports bikes also called Bullet bikes will see an Mph had asked for 15 per cent but the pub approved a five per cent to be phased in Over a number of Mclaren also noted that the Premium season for motorcycles will be May 1 to september while riders can Register their vehicles for the whole year the total insurance Premium will be paid during the Spring to fall the new rates will also recognize Long term Safe Drivers for All if a Driver goes six years without an a fault Accident they will not lose their Merit discount when they have their first at fault a onetime Accident sur charge will apply 1 Christmas gift to you said but he was then is magic in the air at Christmas a time when laughter is Friend slips Are grief is what was your most memorable Christmas Tell us about in 500 to 700 words typed or legibly Well print the two pieces we judge to be the and the grand prize is a dinner for two and tickets to the the second prize Winner will also get two tickets to a Well run the winning pieces in our Christmas eve edition of the free contest deadline is please mail your entry to memorable Christmas 1355 Mountain Winnipeg r2x 3b6 or you can drop off your Story at our offices at 1355 Mountain email it to or fax it to Winnipeg free press Manitoba volunteers kick off special year about 400 selfless Manitoban kicked off the International year of volunteers yesterday at the the United nations has designated 2001 As the year to celebrate the contributions of Chanelle plans to help elders herself some Day after watching her mothers Volunteer efforts and attending a Christmas party at the sister Macnamara boys and girls club hosted by 20 it was so Good that i cant even know what to she its Nice to see people who dont think about participants signed a giant Banner unfurled in the legislature Rotunda that will travel around the organizer Liane Davidson said a provincial committee will plan a series of events throughout the in a kit will be released for youths who Are interested in Volunteer Peter Premier Gary doer and Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray addressed the assembled volunteers before a reception hosted by Polo a Jussi Ralph Lauren factors store celebrate Christmas with Polo Ralph Lauren ii to off ask on pants shirts sweaters outerwear hours Friday 109 saturday 10 is 2090 Corydon 837polo 7656 buy Unicof cards this Christmas and help children around the Call or visit United nations childrens fund ;