Your car is written off. What happens to it now?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/11/2017 (3194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Recently I went to the Manitoba Public Insurance compound at 1981 Plessis Rd., near Gunn Road with a friend to retrieve personal belongings left in his car after an accident.

I was taken aback by the sheer volume of damaged vehicles. I later found out through Brian Smiley, MPI media spokesperson, that on average there are around 3,500 vehicles held at the compound on any given day.

When a damaged vehicle arrives at the compound, detailed information is logged, including what time it arrives, what is in the vehicle, where it will be stored and other pertinent details.  
Before entering the compound, the owner of the vehicle must provide identification (such as a driver’s license) and each person in the visitor’s vehicle must sign an entrance form. That information is logged so MPI has a record of when owners access their vehicles.

It was surprisingly easy to find the car. Compound staff provide you with a map pinpointing where your vehicle is located along the numbered rows. Should you need to retrieve a vehicle’s contents, use caution around any damaged areas, as there may be jagged metal. Bring work gloves, as there may be glass or accident debris on the seats or floor. The compound is fairly well lit in the evening but it’s a good to bring a flashlight as well. Any loose change you miss is collected by MPI and given to charity.

When a vehicle is “written off” it’s because it is deemed irreparable or the cost of repairing it exceeds the value of the vehicle minus any salvage value.

Once a settlement is reached between a vehicle owner and MPI, the vehicle becomes the property of MPI. 

If a vehicle is irreparable or water damaged, it may be sold for parts or scrap metal.  It can never be registered again. All vehicles involved in fatal accidents are crushed, regardless of condition. 

If a vehicle is reparable and deemed “salvageable” it may be auctioned for sale.  Bidders can view the salvage vehicles each Wednesday at the compound, and an average of 400 of these vehicles are sold each week. Proceeds go back into the corporation to help offset costs.

Once a salvageable vehicle is purchased, it must be towed to where it will be repaired.  Before a repaired vehicle is allowed back on the road it must pass inspections to receive the necessary certificates — a Body Integrity Inspection Certificate, and an overall Certificate of Inspection (COI). The BIIC ensures that the frame and body are structurally roadworthy. The COI assures minimum standards for vehicles to operate in Manitoba.

There are on average 11,000 collisions in Manitoba each month.

If you or somebody you know could benefit from attending a defensive driving course or a responsible driver’s workshop, check out www.mbsafety.org or other such course providers.

Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.