Let’s face it, auto theft has been discussed to great lengths as of late. It is an ongoing topic in the province and it seems as if the problem isn’t slowing down. In Ontario, specific cities are being hit harder than others. On top of this, it seems as if specific vehicle models are more sought after than others. Why is this the case? Which cities are being targeted the most? Most importantly, what can you do to deter auto thefts? isure has everything you need to know.
Auto theft targeting specific vehicles
With an issue as complex as auto theft, it can be hard to pinpoint a thief’s exact motive. One thing is for sure, though and that’s that newer vehicle models are being targeted more. Due to this, those who drive a newer model of vehicle can expect to pay substantially more. For example, if you drive a 2024 Dodge Ram truck in Sudbury, the comprehensive premium portion of your vehicle can be nearly seven times higher than the 2018 model of the same vehicle, according to a report from RATESDOTCA.
Daniel Ivans, an insurance expert and broker with RATESDOTCA, states the increase in vehicle thefts is affecting drivers’ insurance rates, or at least the comprehensive portion of policies.
“In 2023, especially, we saw an excess of $1.5 billion in auto thefts paid out by insurance companies,” Ivans told CBC News. “What we’re seeing is pretty significant increases for consumers, especially for newer vehicles to account for those losses due to auto thefts.”
Which vehicles are being targeted the most?
Every year the Équité Association, a company dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and crime in Canada, publishes their list of the most stolen vehicles in the country. On top of this, their list marks what provinces are seeing the crimes happen most often. In Ontario, popular SUVs and trucks seem to be getting hit the hardest. These include the Honda CR-V, Lexus RX Series, Dodge Ram and Ford F-150.
Auto thefts are more popular in port cities
In Ontario, it has become apparent that locations near port cities seem to be hit the hardest. According to Ivans, this is due to organized crime syndicates easily being able to load stolen vehicles onto shipping containers. From there, they get sent overseas. With this being said, Ivans states that southern Ontario and the Toronto area have seen a drop in auto thefts for the first quarter of this year. This is likely due to policing efforts preventing cars from being stolen.
The report from RATESDOTCA found that in Toronto, the comprehensive premium portion of auto insurance is roughly 408 percent more for a Dodge Ram compared to the 2018 model. At the same time, a vehicle such as the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta would only cost six percent more to insure compared to its 2018 counterpart.
Preventing auto theft
The Director of Government Relations at CAA, Elliot Silverstein, believes there needs to be more focus on preventing car thefts in the first place.
“We need manufacturers to make it tougher for cars to be stolen,” he told CBC News. “The last time that the technology standards were updated in Canada was 2007 and a lot has changed in 17 years.”
He believes it would take federal legislation to force manufacturers to make their vehicles more difficult to steal.
“We know that the federal government has said that it is exploring this and that was earlier this year. but they really need to bring it into action,” he stated. However, preventing auto theft goes beyond the manufacturers. There are multiple steps drivers can take to prevent auto theft. Some steps are as simple as remembering to lock your doors.
“If you have a garage and you’re not using it, do it today. Make that habit to get your car in your garage,” Silverstein added. Many preventative auto theft measures such as steering wheel locks can also lower a person’s insurance rates.
Vehicle safety starts with good auto insurance coverage. Are you in the market for new car insurance or have questions about your premiums? If so, contact us at isure or request a quote today!
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