There are some dire statistics concerning auto theft in Ontario and Quebec. According to
Équité Association's report, these two provinces continue to experience the highest rates of stolen vehicles. Auto theft in Ontario went up by a whopping 31% in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, while Quebec saw a 17% increase.
So, which car models are thieves especially drawn to? The top 5 stolen cars across Canada are the Honda CR-V (2016-21), Lexus RX series (2016-21), Ford F-150 series (2015-20), Honda Civic (2016-21), and the Toyota Highlander series (2013-19), according to Équité. Interestingly, many of these models are also quite popular amongst Canadian drivers. For instance, the Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150 were among Canada's most widely purchased cars in 2022.
Here's where things get even more concerning. The national vehicle recovery rate currently stands at a disheartening 57%. In Ontario and Quebec, it's even worse - only 46% and 38% of stolen vehicles are recovered, respectively. That's why drivers must take matters into their own hands and protect their cars from theft.
Fortunately, there are several precautions you can take to deter thieves. For instance, you can invest in anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, security cameras, GPS tracking systems, or an electromagnetic field blocker which blocks criminals from unlocking your car doors using radio frequencies. These devices can be a game-changer in safeguarding and recovering your vehicle.
Surprisingly, a survey of 448 Ontario drivers by Équité revealed that 37% hadn't taken any precautions to protect their cars from theft.
This is something to consider, especially when some insurers have started introducing surcharges for vehicles at high risk of theft. However, there is a silver lining - if you install an anti-theft tracking device, you may actually be able to mitigate these surcharges. According to LowestRates, 6.5% of drivers received a surcharge from their insurer, and 2.5% of them opted to pay it instead of taking action to prevent theft.
What can we learn from all of this? Awareness of the risk and taking proactive steps to protect your vehicle can make a huge difference. You might be surprised to find out that some simple anti-theft devices can go a long way in preventing your car from being stolen. Plus, they can save you from paying surcharges imposed by insurers.
Be informed and take action to protect your vehicles. Please reach out to us for more information or if you have any questions:
info@easyinsure.ca