Vehicle loss
prevention

Steer clear of auto theft

Auto theft trends continued in 2023, led by Ontario and Quebec¹

Many of us depend on our car to get to work, take our kids to school or run errands. As car theft is on the rise, it’s important to take steps to protect your car.

Car theft facts you should know

On average, a vehicle is stolen every 5 minutes in Canada¹

An experienced car thief can steal a car in minutes²

Car thefts cost Canadians billions of dollars every year¹

Vehicle theft prevention tips

Rising auto thefts concern all of us. Latest industry data has shown a dramatic increase in targeted vehicle thefts of specific make and models.² Thieves have become more sophisticated and tech-savvy, such as changing vehicle identification numbers (VIN) as a cover-up and taking advantage of smart keys as an easy way to create keys electronically. Even if your car isn’t on the list of most stolen cars, there are some proactive steps you can take to help safeguard your vehicle.

Video transcript
Vehicle theft is on the rise

6 tips to help protect yourself
1. Use a steering wheel lock
2. Install a data port lock
3. Park your car in your garage
4. Store keys away from your front door
5. Store keys in an aluminum or metal box
6. Install a tracking device

Track it

Install a vehicle anti-theft recovery system to help deter, prevent vehicle theft, and recover your vehicle should it be stolen.³

Immobilize your car

Use smart keys, starter, ignition and fuel disablers, and wireless ignition authentication.

Be signal silent

Use a key fob signal blocker if you have a smart key (keyless entry) and don’t leave your fob unattended in your car or near the front door of your home.

Park smart

Park your car in the garage, or if you are unable to, in a well-lit, highly visible parking space.

Don’t make it easy

Never leave your vehicle unattended while idling. Ensure doors are locked and windows are rolled up.

Build a barrier

Use a steering wheel lock (i.e., the Club anti-theft steering wheel lock) to present a barrier to theft and maybe dissuade the attempt.

Aviva auto theft recommendations

As Canada creates a new National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, Aviva Canada was pleased to participate in government, industry and stakeholder consultations and to submit a list of recommendations designed to better protect Canadians against auto theft. They include:

Update the anti-theft requirements in Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, which haven’t changed since 2007.
Ensure that anti-theft technologies in Canadian vehicles are never more than three years old by keeping them regularly updated.
Require auto manufacturers to update security systems on vehicles built between 2018 and 2022.
Ban the sale of technology and devices used to commit auto thefts.
Continue to help consumers better understand how to protect themselves from auto theft.

Create a National Auto Theft Tip Line.
Share more information about Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to better identify stolen vehicles with fraudulent VINs.
Invest in the Canada Border Services Agency to enhance agents’ ability to prevent the export of stolen vehicles.
Align Canada’s vehicle export requirement of being presented 72 hours before export with the current U.S. standard.
Require customs service providers to have a registered business number and create declaration requirements for the export of vehicles.

Increase deterrence through amendments to the Criminal Code, Customs Act and other legislation.
All provinces should have dedicated auto theft teams with prosecution supports, similar to Ontario.
Empower Canadian diplomats abroad to raise the problem of auto theft during discussions with foreign governments.
Establish a National Auto Theft Office to coordinate policy, implement the Action Plan and gather ongoing intelligence.

Help protect your vehicle from theft

Track, recover and protect your car with an anti-theft recovery system like Tag.

Discover the benefits of Tag³ and KYCS Locate³

Vehicle theft and loss prevention FAQ

Find answers to commonly asked questions about vehicle theft and loss prevention.

Which vehicle anti-theft recovery system does Aviva currently approve?
Does having an anti-theft recovery system help me save on my car insurance?
How do anti-theft recovery systems work?
- Tracking and recovery: Tracking devices are hidden throughout your vehicle to help track and recover your vehicle anywhere in North America.
- Theft prevention: Some anti-theft recovery systems offer discrete logos that may be etched on the windows to help discourage potential thieves.
- Identified parts: Vehicle parts highly sought after by thieves are marked with location devices like radio frequency identification (RFID) or GPS, which makes them a lot harder to sell.
What should I do if my car is stolen?
Car theft can happen to anyone at any time. As soon as you notice your car has been stolen, report it to police and your insurance company. You can also contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership to see if they can locate your car – radio subscriptions, such as satellite radio may also have tracking capabilities. Be sure to save any personal video surveillance you may have of the theft, and if you have any personal ID in your car, you may want to take measures to protect yourself from potential identity theft (for example, notifying your bank of any stolen bank information and arranging for credit monitoring if personal information was compromised).

If you have an anti-theft recovery system installed and your vehicle is stolen:
- Call the police immediately to report your vehicle stolen and they will give you an event number.
- Share the police event number with your anti-theft recovery system provider to promptly initiate the tracking and recovery process.
- Notify us to report your vehicle stolen
Are certain vehicles more susceptible to theft than others?

Any vehicle can be a target for theft, but certain makes and models are more attractive to thieves for various reasons. Thieves might focus on new or luxury vehicles for maximum profit when they sell them overseas or they may focus on cars without an engine immobilizer (such as starter, ignition and fuel disablers) because it’s easier to steal. Before purchasing your vehicle, it’s a good idea to do some research to better understand the factors that may make your car more attractive to thieves than others. You can also speak to the car dealership about any built-in anti-theft systems in the car or add-on security options.

Suspect attempting to break into vehicle

³Tag and KYCS Locate may not be available in every province or territory.

The content in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as specific professional or expert advice. Aviva Canada accepts no responsibility for action taken as a result of reliance on any information contained on this page. Tag is a product of Otodata Wireless Network Inc., an Aviva Canada Inc. contracted third-party product and service provider. KYCS Locate is a third-party product of KYCS Global Inc., a service provider of Aviva Canada Inc.

Vehicle loss
prevention