Insurance Companies Demand Car Immobilizers

We always thought Canadians were friendly, good-hearted people, but trouble is brewing in Winnipeg.

Manitoba Public Insurance, a government-run insurance company for residents of that province, is demanding that motorists who drive any of the roughly 120 most-popular cars in the province get an immobilizer — a device that keeps thieves from driving off with your car — or risk losing their car insurance. About 47,000 drivers have failed to comply, the Winnipeg Sun says, but on the plus side, the insurance company will pay the $15 million or so to add the devices. It’s free for drivers of the most-popular cars.

The company says it’s been warning drivers about this for some time, and now it’s decided to drop the hammer. Of course, there are those who criticize the plan, including one Sun writer who claims that many drivers believe the devices are causing problems for their cars’ electrical systems. There’s a shock. Check out the Sun’s extensive coverage below. It may be their equivalent of the Paris Hilton jailing.

Ultimatum for At-Risk Vehicle Owners (Winnipeg Sun)
There’s No Shortage of Installers, Says MPI (Winnipeg Sun)
Immobilizer Havoc (Winnipeg Sun)