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Making Progress Against Auto Theft: Prevention is Key
December 22, 2025
3 minute read
Vehicle theft has become a major issue in Canada over the past few years, leaving many auto owners wondering how to best protect their vehicles. Now, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic as theft rates begin to decline — with prevention playing a key role in keeping the trend moving in the right direction.
According to a report prepared by Équité Association, national auto theft trends show a decrease of 19.1% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In fact, every reported region in Canada saw decreases, including Ontario (down 25.9%), Quebec (22.2%), Alberta (12.5%) and Atlantic Canada (9%).1
The persistent impact of auto theft.
While these numbers show a positive trend, it’s important to keep our focus on theft prevention and remain vigilant. Despite the promising reduction, the financial impact of auto theft remains high: Ontario, for example, remains in an auto theft crisis, with the number of insurance claims up 165% since 2017.
A vehicle is stolen from a driveway or parking lot, on average, every few minutes across Canada, leaving unsuspecting victims to pick up the pieces. Industry estimates show that the cost of vehicle theft hovers around the $1 billion mark.
As vehicle thefts persist and criminals find new ways to access cars, costs facing the insurance industry will continue to rise — likely resulting in higher premiums for drivers. But for a person whose car is stolen, the impacts are wide reaching — something CAA Insurance has defined as the hidden costs of vehicle theft. You may be left feeling vulnerable after having one of your personal spaces invaded. Rental cars are not always immediately available, creating stress of dealing with the logistics of not having a car for work and family needs. If your car is not recovered – and 43.5% were not recovered in the first half of 20251 – you face the reality that the cost of cars and interest rates have increased.
Then there’s the fear that your vehicle may be the next targeted theft. According to a poll conducted for CAA Insurance the fear of vehicles being stolen remains high for Ontarians, with 44% expressing concern (jumping to 52% among Torontonians).
The trends of auto theft are shifting.
Cars being stolen is not a new phenomenon, but how they are being taken and where they are headed has become far more sophisticated. While auto theft numbers are declining overall, thieves continue to adapt to new technology and find new ways to target vehicles.
Gone are the days of stealing cars for joyrides. In its place: a coordinated, international effort for vehicles to be sold at inflated prices in other countries. There’s also the issue of re-VINing, where a stolen vehicle has its original vehicle identification number (VIN) replaced with a fake one, which hinders recoveries.
The convenience we enjoy — cars equipped with push-button starters and keyless entry — have, in some ways, made our vehicles susceptible. Tech-savvy thieves use electronic tools to steal vehicles without damaging windows, locks or steering columns. In many cases, these vehicles are stolen quietly and in under two minutes. This evolution in technology over the last two decades has prompted calls to modernize Canada’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, which have not been updated since 2007.
Reduce your risk of theft.
Staying vigilant — whether that means updating your security measures or keeping up with emerging theft trends — can make a real difference in protecting your investment. Collaboration is a powerful and necessary deterrent against auto theft. For Canadians to see timely and meaningful change, the sectors involved need to continue working together, so vehicle theft levels decline further. That includes drivers becoming more vigilant and adopting anti-theft devices and practices.
To help mitigate the risk of vehicle theft, here are 10 ways to keep you and your vehicle safe:
Consider a professionally installed after-market immobilizer, an electronic device that prevents a vehicle from starting without the correct key or transponder. Because installation is complicated, an immobilizer should only be installed by a technician authorized by the product manufacturer.
Secure your parked vehicle with a wheel lock, brake pedal lock or steering-wheel lock.
Lock your doors (both car and home) and park your car inside if you have a garage.
Enable or install multi-factor authentication capabilities in your car.
Install motion sensors and a camera on your driveway to capture any activity.
Secure your car key fob by storing it in a Faraday box or pouch to prevent signal hacking.
Cover the vehicle identification number (VIN) so it’s not visible on the dashboard.
Store a GPS tracker (e.g., AirTag) to track your vehicle should it be stolen.
Ensure items are out of sight and do not leave valuables in your car.
Always avoid leaving your vehicle unattended while it is running.
CAA Insurance urges individuals to report any suspicious activity to police and avoid confrontations with thieves.
Auto theft may be slightly less frequent today, but the emotional and financial impact is high when it does happen. With the right prevention strategies, you can safeguard not only your vehicle but also your safety and well-being.
1 Équité Association, “First Half of 2025: Auto Theft Trend Report (For the period January – June 2025)”, July 2025