Auto theft in Ontario is on the rise! In Ontario, a car is stolen every 48 minutes.
In the last 8 years, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto theft across Ontario and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone.
Theft of vehicles costs Canadians an alarming amount of money every year - estimated to be close to a whopping $1 billion annually. Not only is the vehicle itself gone, replacements and repairs can cost a further $500,000 and the theft has a detrimental impact on innocent drivers.
It's no longer a case of simply stealing keys or manually hotwiring vehicles; thieves have a whole new range of technological tools at their disposal. With keyless entry, GPS, and mobile apps, criminals are finding it easier to bypass security systems and intercept signals between a vehicle and its entry fob. In just 30 seconds, a car thief can be away with your car.
Sadly, many stolen cars never make it back to their rightful owners – instead, they are sold off to “chop shops”, where they are disassembled, stripped of parts, and resold or shipped abroad, often to far away places such as West Africa and the Middle East.
Luckily, with a few simple precautions, you can do your part to protect your car from theft.
- Don't leave your vehicle running or unattended with keys left inside
- Always lock your doors
- Park in busy and well-lit areas
- Invest in anti-theft devices
- Avoid leaving valuables in sight
If you suspect insurance fraud, remember to report it to the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-877-422-8477.