How to prevent car theft

Having your vehicle stolen can put a damper on your day. And with more vehicles being stolen each and every day, it's essential that Canadian motorists know exactly what they need to do to deter thieves. For tips and tricks on how to prevent car theft, stick around for more information.

How can I make sure my car doesn't get stolen?

While all newer vehicles have an anti-theft system installed, older vehicles are at a higher risk of theft. Regardless, these measures can help prevent car theft in general, no matter what model you drive:

Install anti-theft devices

One of the best ways you can prevent car theft is by installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle. Lucky for you, there are numerous devices you can install to help deter thieves from making you a target. While you don't necessarily need to invest in all of the following, picking even one or two from the list can give you better protection against car thieves:

• Use a steering wheel lock.
• Install a dash cam on the front and back of your vehicle to record the surrounding area even while you're parked.
• Install a car boot on your wheel to prevent thieves from being able to move your car.

Start implementing anti-theft measures

A lot of the time, vehicle thefts target individuals who forget to use their common sense during times when they are busy or have other things going on in their everyday life. So, even when you're in a hurry, remember to do the following:

• Keep your car doors locked at all times.
• Never leave your car running or your car keys in the ignition.
• Do not leave your car unattended with the engine running.
• Make sure all windows are fully closed when you leave the car.
• Park in a well-lit area or monitored parking garage.
• If parking on a hill, make sure your parking brake is on and turn the wheel away from the curb. This will make it difficult for thieves to move your car if they gain access.

Enhance your home security system

A comprehensive home security system will not only keep your household safe, but it can also protect your parked vehicle in your driveway. If you don't already, consider installing bright lights or motion lights on your front door, as well as video cameras to deter car thieves from your property.

Park your car in your garage

If you're able to, rather than parking your vehicle outside, store your car in your garage. Cars parked in your driveway are easy targets for car thieves. Whether it's summer or winter, parking your car inside your garage is one of the easiest ways to protect your vehicle against car thefts.

Protect your garage door opener

Just because your vehicle is parked in your garage, doesn't mean that it's safe. Similar to a keyless entry fob, thieves can actually amplify the signal of your garage door opener using a special device. Therefore, you're going to want to keep your garage opener in a secure spot away from the front door at all times. Remember never to leave your key fob in your unattended vehicle as well.

Install tracking devices

In the event your car does get stolen, the chances of your vehicle being recovered may be slim, without a tracking system. Whether it be an Airtag or other GPS tracking device, having some type of recovery system in place can help you get your cars back from thieves quickly.

Hide your personal belongings

Lastly, it's important to remember that while keeping your belongings and other valuables in your car from time to time is okay, it can actually make you a target for theft. Thieves are looking for items they can keep for themselves or sell to others. So, when you leave valuables on your front seat, cup holder, or other places in your car, you're actually putting a target on your back for your vehicle to be stolen.

Even if you're running into the store quickly to pick something up, make sure that your valuables, such as your house keys or cell phone, are taken with you or put away out of sight.

What are the most common stolen vehicles?

While luxury vehicle thefts do happen, you may be surprised to know that some of the most commonly stolen cars tend to be standard vehicles that aren't flashy. So, what models tend to fall victim to car thieves in Canada?

1. 2020 Honda CR-V
2. 2022 Dodge RAM 1500 Series
3. 2020 Ford F150 Series
4. 2020 Lexus RX Series
5. 2021 Toyota Highlander
6. 2019 Honda Civic
7. 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
8. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover
9. 2006 Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series
10. 2021 Jeep Wrangler

Keep in mind that even if your car isn't on this list, it's still important to prevent vehicle theft by following the tips and tricks we mentioned above. Vehicle theft might not seem to be common in your area, but trust us, it happens more often than you think.

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What should I do if my car is stolen?

In the unfortunate event that your car is stolen, there are some important steps you need to take to ensure you have the best chance of getting your vehicle back quickly and safely. Here is what you need to do:

Contact police immediately

If your vehicle is stolen, the first thing you need to do is contact the police to have it reported stolen. Typically, you'll need to provide detailed information about your stolen vehicle, including its make, model, trim, year, colour, licence plate number, and any other information that could make it easily distinguishable for police officers.

Once your stolen vehicle is reported, don't forget to obtain a copy of the police report as you'll need to provide this information to your insurance company when you file your insurance claim.

Inform your car insurance company

Now that you've sorted your police report and case number, you'll need to reach out to your insurance company to inform them that your cars have been stolen and reported missing. They may also ask you to provide certain information regarding the incident. Depending on your auto insurance, you may have coverage for vehicle theft, which will involve you going through a claims process to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your loss.

Keep in mind that the process with your insurance company may take longer than normal, given that they will need to ensure that there is no insurance fraud or other criminal activity taking place. Regardless, you'll be able to communicate directly with your adjuster throughout the entire process for regular updates on the status of your claim. Your insurance claim adjuster will also be able to answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding your vehicle and your auto insurance.

Contact your leasing company (if applicable)

If, by chance, your vehicle is leased, you will also need to contact the dealership or leasing company you got your car from. Depending on their individual protocols, you may have additional steps to follow.

Keep an eye out for online marketplaces

As you wait for your claim to go through and the police investigation to unfold, we suggest keeping an eye out for your vehicle online. It's common for a car thief to put cars they've stolen for sale on online marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

In the event that you do find your vehicles online, do not attempt to contact the thief directly. Call law enforcement and notify them of the post. They will be able to take the appropriate measures to ensure your car is recovered correctly and safely.

Stay in contact with the police and your insurance

In contrast, if your car isn't found on any marketplace online, don't panic. The police will continue their investigation and do their best to ensure motorists are reunited with their cars. Call them regularly to get an update on your case. Similarly, you should also stay in contact with your insurance provider if you do end up filing an insurance claim for compensation.

Will vehicle theft affect my insurance premium?

If your vehicle is stolen and you file an insurance claim for compensation, you may face a higher insurance premium when it's time to renew your policy, but it really depends on a couple of factors, including the following:

Your insurance provider policies

Insurance companies often have different policies surrounding how the process claims and how it affects premiums. We suggest reaching out to your provider for specific information regarding their policy.

Your claims history

If you have a history of multiple claims and thefts, your provider may deem you a higher risk to insure and, therefore, increase your premiums moving forward. In contrast, if it's your first insurance claim, you likely won't face an increase.

Where you live

Where you live will also impact where your premium increases following a theft claim. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, your insurance provider may take this into account and increase your premium, as it's likely that your vehicle may be stolen again in the future.

Type of car you drive

Certain vehicles are more likely to be stolen than others. If your vehicle is frequently targeted by thieves, your insurer might increase your premium after a theft claim.

Does my auto insurance protect me if my car is stolen?

Whether or not your auto insurance will protect you against auto theft depends on the type of coverage you have. Most commonly, theft of vehicles is covered under comprehensive coverage, which we've outlined for you below:

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage is a type of insurance designed to protect their policyholder against different non-collision events that could result in damage to their vehicles or a total loss.

Comprehensive coverage often includes theft protection. This means that if your car is stolen from a parking space, your property, or any other area, your insurance provider will provide you with compensation for the ensuing loss. The compensation you receive is often based on the actual cash value of your car at the time it was stolen.

Another portion of comprehensive coverage protects policyholders in the event that their car is vandalized. Vandalism can include a wide range of acts, which will vary based on the specifics of your coverage. However, common instances include keying the paint off the car, breaking the windows, and slashing the tires.

When you file a claim with your insurance provider under the comprehensive portion of your policy, you will need to pay your deductible amount before your coverage kicks in and your provider pays the remaining amount. Typically, the deductible can range from $500 to $2000, depending on your vehicle and what you chose when you renewed your policy.

Beyond vandalism and theft, your comprehensive policy may also include damage that occurs from natural disasters, such as hail, flooding, or earthquakes. It can additionally include damage caused by falling objects like tree branches, rocks, and more. Ultimately, this insurance is meant to ensure that motorists don't have to bear the financial responsibility of replacing their vehicles.

What other auto insurance should I purchase?

Beyond comprehensive insurance, there are additional policies that you can purchase to ensure that your vehicle is protected on and off the road, including the following:

Third-party liability

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all Canadian drivers, regardless of what province or territory you live in. This insurance policy is intended to protect drivers in the event they cause damage to someone else's property or injure another person when they are behind the wheel.

Should someone file a suit against you for damages, third-party liability will cover the cost of medical expenses, attorney fees, rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses, and other associated fees resulting from the lawsuit. Depending on the province or territory you live in, drivers are required to purchase a minimum of $200,000 in coverage or more. However, most drivers opt for higher coverage amounts to ensure they are comprehensively protected.

Direct compensation - property damage (DCPD)

Should you get into an accident with another driver who is at fault for the collision that occurred, direct compensation - property damage will kick in. Rather than having to deal with the other driver's insurance provider, direct compensation - property damage allows you to communicate directly with your own provider. Ultimately, this insurance policy is intended to ensure policyholders are able to receive compensation for repairs or losses quickly.

Just keep in mind that it is a mandatory insurance policy for most Canadians, depending on where they live. For example, direct compensation - property damage coverage is mandatory for those living in Ontario, Alberta, and other provinces. However, it is not mandatory for those living in British Columbia.

Accident benefits

Accident benefits insurance is a mandatory policy in all Canadian provinces and territories. This insurance policy provides the policyholder with financial assistance if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, no matter who is at fault for what happened. This insurance coverage is specifically designed to help pay for medical expenses, income replacement, and other costs related to the injuries you or your passengers suffered as a result of the collision. Additionally, it's meant to help Canadians recover from their car accident without having to worry about financial stresses so that they can focus on their well-being.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage is another type of optional insurance policy you may wish to purchase. Essentially, this auto insurance is meant to protect your vehicle if it suffers damage from another vehicle or object, no matter who is at fault for the incident.

This type of insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. If your car is deemed a total loss, collision coverage will compensate you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. Just keep in mind that collision insurance also has a deductible. So, if you do end up filing an insurance claim with your company for damages, you will need to pay a specific amount out of pocket before your provider will cover the rest, just like comprehensive insurance.

Accident forgiveness

Lastly, accident forgiveness is an optional insurance policy that protects responsible drivers or young drivers from facing increased insurance premiums following their first at-fault accident. Being in your first accident can be overwhelming, especially if you've practiced safe driving up until that point, which is why insurance companies have this coverage available. By adding this insurance feature to your overall policies, you can drive with greater peace of mind, knowing that your first at-fault accident won't result in more expensive car insurance in the future.

What are insurance providers doing about auto thefts?

With auto thefts occurring every six minutes on average in Canada, some measures are being taken by car insurance providers to help prevent them. For example, while most vehicles, especially new cars, have anti-theft systems already, older cars likely don't.

If you have an older vehicle, your insurance provider will likely give you an insurance discount for installing devices that deter thefts from happening. This includes dash cams, a steering wheel lock, an alarm system, and more. So, if you have the money to invest in these devices, do so, as it can save you money on insurance and the frustration of dealing with a stolen car.

What is the best protection against car theft?

The best thing you can do to prevent your car from being stolen is to be aware of your surroundings and use your common sense. For example, only park in well lit areas, never leave your doors unlocked, ensure you have your key fob with you at all times, and use a steering wheel lock if possible.

Thieves are notorious for taking advantage of driver mistakes. So, even if you are in a rush to get somewhere or have a long day at work, it's essential that you take the time to ensure that your car is secure. Trust us: taking the extra time out of your day to guarantee your car is protected against thieves will ultimately save you the hassle of dealing with the consequences of a stolen car later on.

Why is car theft in Canada on the rise?

An increase in organized crime is one of the main reasons why theft is on the rise in Canada. This, coupled with rapid advancements in technology, makes it easier for thieves to gain access to your vehicle or home when you least expect it. So, the best chance you have against this type of crime is to ensure you take preventative measures with your vehicle and habits that will make you less likely to be a victim of car theft in the future.

Protect your vehicle with the right insurance from BrokerLink

If you fall victim to a car thief, it's essential that you have the right auto insurance in place that allows you to deal with the aftermath seamlessly. At BrokerLink, we help customers get affordable auto insurance. With years of experience and offices across Canada, our team of brokers is always available to answer your questions or guide you through the process of choosing a new insurance policy.

If we're in your neighbourhood, feel free to visit us in the office to work with one of our brokers directly. Unable to make it in person? No problem. You can also reach us over the phone or use our free online quote tool to get competitive, customized car insurance quotes from some of Canada's top providers from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be!

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