There is nothing more discouraging than getting behind the wheel and realizing your car has been stolen. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. In Toronto alone reported over 3,000 stolen vehicles were reported in 2024. While this is far less than the near 12,000 vehicles stolen in 2023, it does not mean the issue is gone. Many of these victims report their vehicles being stolen right from their driveways, sometimes in broad day. Luckily, isure has you covered with all the information you need to prevent vehicle theft and the steps to take if your vehicle has recently been stolen.
My Car Has Been Stolen. What Do I Do Next?
There are three crucial steps to take when your car has been stolen:
- Be sure your car is stolen: We know this may sound a little silly, but before you rush to contact the police, it’s essential to confirm that your car was indeed stolen. Could it have been towed or repossessed? Did you lend it to someone or move it and forget about it? Does another family member have the keys? Think of the possibilities before you think the worst!
- Call the police: If you have confirmed that your car has been stolen, please call the police as soon as possible to report it as stolen. This will cover you in case the driver gets into an accident and injures someone or commits a crime with your car. The quicker you contact the police and open an investigation, the higher the chance you have of recovering your vehicle. You will be asked to provide a detailed explanation of your vehicle. Make sure to have the make, model, license plate, and VIN ready. Additionally, you will need to provide information on where the car was located, when it could have been stolen, and other relevant details.
- Contact your insurer: After speaking with the police and filing a report, be sure to contact your insurer. Try your best to remember if any personal or expensive items were inside the car when it was stolen.
Canada’s private auto insurers paid out $1.5 billion in theft claims in 2023 – up 254% since 2018. This marks the second year in a row auto theft claims costs have topped $1 billion. To put this into perspective, between 2018 and 2021, auto theft claims costs averaged $556 million annually. In Ontario alone, auto theft claims costs increased by 524% between 2018 and 2023, surpassing $1 billion for the first time in 2023.
What is the Insurance Process for a Stolen Vehicle?
When you file a car insurance claim for a stolen vehicle, there is a good chance that your insurer will open an investigation. When this happens, you will need to provide them with information about when the theft occurred. This will include the time, date, and location from which it was stolen. Additionally, you will need to provide the same vehicle information that you previously supplied to the police. This includes the make, model, licence plate number and your VIN. By now, you should have filed a police report, so make sure to provide your insurer with that as well.
Generally, a company will wait 30 days before closing the claim. On average, it takes approximately 11 days for a stolen vehicle to be recovered, and roughly 30% of those recovered return with damage. If the 30 days are up and your stolen vehicle is not recovered, it will be considered a total loss. From there, you will work with your insurer on figuring out the market value of the car. You will then be paid out.
Will a Stolen Car Affect My Auto Insurance Premium?
Generally, when your vehicle is stolen, it will not affect your insurance premiums. However, the topic of theft overall will! For example, if you live in an area or city that has a higher rate of car theft than others, you can expect to pay more for your insurance premiums. Additionally, if your car is a make that is commonly stolen, you may end up paying more for your premiums.
How Can I Prevent My Vehicle from Being Stolen?
There are several ways to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Here are some tips we recommend: prevent auto theft by prioritizing the locking of all doors and closing windows, and ensure valuables are out of sight. Park in well-lit areas or garages, and consider using anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks or alarms. Protect your key fob, especially if it’s a keyless entry system, and consider installing a vehicle immobilizer.
1. Basic Security Measures:
- Lock Doors and Close Windows: Always lock your car doors and ensure windows are completely closed when leaving your vehicle, even for short periods.
- Park in Well-Lit Areas: Whenever possible, choose well-lit parking spots, as they are less attractive to thieves.
- Park in a Garage (if available): Parking in a garage provides a more secure environment, reducing the risk of theft.
- Never Leave Valuables in Plain Sight: Avoid leaving any valuables in your car, especially if they can be seen from the outside.
2. Anti-Theft Devices:
- Steering Wheel Lock: A steering wheel lock can significantly deter theft by making it difficult for a thief to drive away.
- Anti-Theft Alarm System: An audible alarm system can alert you and passersby to a potential theft, acting as a deterrent.
- Engine Immobilizer: An engine immobilizer prevents the car from starting without the proper key, making it much harder for thieves to steal.
- Vehicle Tracker: A vehicle tracker enables you to locate your car in the event of theft, facilitating its recovery.
- Kill Switch: A kill switch can disable the engine, preventing a stolen car from being driven.
3. Key Protection:
- Secure Your Key Fob: If your car has keyless entry, keep your key fob in a secure location, preferably with an RFID-blocking pouch to prevent relay attacks.
- Don’t Leave Keys in the Car: Never leave your car running unattended or with the keys in the ignition.
4. Other Important Tips:
- Don’t Leave Vehicle Papers in the Glovebox: Thieves can use vehicle papers to facilitate theft.
- Consider Theft-Deterrent Decals: Decals can serve as a visible deterrent to thieves, especially when paired with a warning.
- Install Security Cameras: If possible, install security cameras in your driveway and around your home to deter potential thieves.
- Be Aware of Local Crime Statistics: Familiarize yourself with local crime statistics and any patterns of auto theft in your area.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious activity near your vehicle or home, report it to the authorities.
To conclude, one of the best ways to protect yourself in the event of theft is to have good auto insurance. If you are in the market for new insurance, why not check out isure? We offer some of the best premiums in the province and are available 24/7 to assist you in the event of an emergency.
Car theft is a growing problem in our country. Learn Read more
Insurance Bureau of Canada has recently released a list of Read more
With auto theft being on the rise in Ontario, here Read more
