Bear-vehicle collisions are climbing in Manitoba, but the province’s public auto insurer says the incidents remain a relatively small part of its overall wildlife-collision picture and are not yet reshaping long-term claims forecasts.
In a written response to Insurance Business’ questions about the rise in bear crashes, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) said collisions involving black bears made up about 1.5% of all wildlife-collision claims in 2024. That new figure puts hard numbers to a trend that has stirred concern among drivers and wildlife advocates, who say encounters with larger animals are becoming more frequent and more dangerous.
The insurer’s clarification comes on the heels of its recent warning that wildlife-vehicle collisions are surging across the province as fall sets in. In 2024, motorists reported 17,195 wildlife collisions to MPI, with November alone accounting for 2,019 – the highest monthly total of the year. Deer remain the primary hazard on Manitoba roads, but MPI acknowledges that incidents involving much larger animals, including black bears, are edging up.
MPI said that 208 bear-related collisions were reported in 2024, with another 123 already recorded in 2025. On their own, those numbers suggest a noticeable rise in encounters between vehicles and bears. However, the insurer characterized the trend as a modest increase rather than a dramatic spike, noting that 2025 year-to-date figures are “close to that of the previous year” and only “slightly higher than previous years”.
Crucially for MPI’s bottom line, the current volume of bear crashes is not yet significant enough to shift how it models risk. The insurer confirmed that it does not forecast wildlife-collision claims separately; instead, wildlife incidents are bundled together with broader collision claims when projecting future claims costs. Bear collisions, in other words, are one small component inside a much larger pool of crash data.
“While these numbers are slightly higher than previous years, the amount of claims does not indicate any hotspots or effects on future claims costs,” MPI said in its response.
MPI’s assessment of the trend is similarly cautious when it comes to concrete mitigation measures. While the insurer said it “supports all efforts to make roads safer” and works with stakeholders to limit road hazards, there are currently no mitigation efforts specific to bears underway in Manitoba. Instead, collisions with bears are treated as part of the broader wildlife-safety challenge, addressed primarily through public education and awareness campaigns rather than targeted infrastructure such as specialized fencing, expanded warning signage in known bear corridors, or bear-specific speed reductions.
In its response, MPI stressed its role and said it “continues to educate and encourage all drivers to take precautions when it comes to wildlife near the roadways.” The corporation’s messaging has focused on reminding motorists to slow down along treed or brush-lined routes, to stay especially alert at dawn and dusk when animals are most active, and to avoid swerving if an animal suddenly appears on the road. For now, that general road-safety approach, rather than bear-focused interventions, remains the primary tool in MPI’s efforts to keep wildlife collisions – and their human and financial toll – in check.
The latest clarification builds on MPI’s earlier province-wide warning about the seasonal spike in wildlife crashes. The insurer has flagged October and November as the riskiest months of the year, a pattern it links to increased animal movement during mating and migration periods, as well as shorter daylight hours that make it harder for drivers to spot hazards in time.
MPI has also underscored the human cost behind the claim numbers. In a recent release, the Crown corporation reported that more than 600 people were injured in wildlife collisions over 2024 and 2025, and that one young person was killed. Officials have stressed that wildlife incidents are not just about bent fenders or written-off vehicles, but about a persistent road-safety risk that can change lives in an instant.
Beyond bears, deer continue to account for the majority of wildlife crashes in Manitoba, particularly on highways and rural routes. Still, MPI notes that collisions involving larger animals – including black bears and other big game – are growing more common, and carry a heightened likelihood of serious vehicle damage or injury.
To reduce that risk, the insurer is urging drivers to slow down in areas with heavy tree cover or brush near the shoulder, use high beams when appropriate, scan ditches and fields for movement, and watch for telltale signs such as glowing eyes or dark shapes near the road. If an animal is spotted, MPI advises motorists to brake firmly and be prepared to stop, rather than swerving, which can lead to rollovers, head-on crashes or loss of control. The underlying message from the insurer is that vigilance – especially in the fall and early winter – remains the best defence against wildlife collisions of all kinds, bears included.
