Getting into an accident can be stressful, but knowing the steps involved to getting your vehicle repaired can help. Here’s how the collision repair process works, based on Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) procedures in Winnipeg:

1. After the Accident

• First, make sure everyone is safe and, if possible, move your vehicle out of traffic.

• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. Note names and contact info for any witnesses.

• You should report the collision to MPI as soon as you can. Call 204-985-7000 in Winnipeg (or 1-800-665-2410 if you're outside the city).

• If the accident involves certain serious circumstances (like injury, hit-and-run, or unlicensed driver), you may need to call the police.

2. Opening Your Claim

• When you call MPI to report the accident, they’ll ask for: your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, where and how the collision happened, and details on any other drivers or vehicles.

• MPI will assign an adjuster to your claim. This adjuster verifies you have the proper coverage and determines who was at fault.

• You must get a damage estimate before any repairs begin.

3. Getting a Damage Estimate

• MPI offers several ways to get your damage estimated:

  1. At an MPI Service or Claim Centre.

  2. At a participating repair shop if your claim is eligible for MPI’s Direct Repair program.

  3. Through photo-based estimating, for simpler damage.

• During the estimate, the estimator will inspect damage (either in person or via photos) and prepare a report of what needs to be repaired.

4. Choosing Your Repair Shop

• It’s strongly recommended to choose an MPI-accredited repair shop for repair work, such as us here at Penner Auto Body. Accredited shops meet MPI’s high standards for training, tools, and quality.

• If your claim is eligible for Direct Repair, you can skip going to an MPI centre for your estimate and book an appointment directly with us here at Penner Auto Body.

5. Repair Work & Parts

• Once the estimate is complete, you can book an appointment to have the repairs done.

• In preparation for your appointment, we will order the parts on your claim, all of which meet MPI’s safety and repair-quality standards (they may be OE, aftermarket, or remanufactured, depending on the case).

• Sometimes, once the vehicle has been fully taken apart during your repair, we may notice additional damages. We work with MPI to quickly get these additions approved and additional parts ordered to repair your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition, as efficiently as we can.

6. After Repairs: Quality Check

At Penner Auto Body, every repair ends with a thorough Quality Check to ensure your vehicle is restored to pre-accident condition, both in appearance and safety. We believe you deserve complete confidence when you get back on the road, so our technicians follow a detailed inspection process before any vehicle is returned to you.

Navigating an MPI claim may feel overwhelming at first, but the process is designed to ensure your vehicle is assessed, repaired, and returned to you safely and efficiently. By reporting your collision promptly, completing the required MPI estimate, and bringing your vehicle to Penner Auto Body for repairs, you help ensure every step moves forward without delay.

Once your vehicle reaches our shop, we take care of the rest, from coordinating with MPI to completing high-quality repairs and performing a thorough final inspection. Our goal is to make the entire experience as stress-free as possible while restoring your vehicle to pre-accident condition.

Whether it’s your first claim or your fifth, you can count on us to guide you through the process and deliver workmanship you can trust. If you ever have questions along the way, our team is here to help!