Drivers in Ontario have been at an increased risk of auto-theft over the last two years. And recent figures highlight an even higher cause for concern.

In the first two weeks of 2023, 32 vehicles were stolen each day in Toronto — a whopping 48% increase from the same time last year. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, a car is stolen every six minutes on a national scale.

Rising vehicle theft not only poses more risk to individual drivers, but also puts added pressure on insurance companies to intervene and avoid replacing high volumes of vehicles for insured customers.

Some insurance providers are responding to higher theft rates by offering a mutually beneficial solution for Ontario drivers. For a limited time, Aviva Insurance and Traders General Insurance Company are teaming up with Tag, a successful North American vehicle tracking and recovery system, to better protect drivers with high-risk vehicles.

Why install the Tag system?

Tag technology tracks your vehicle in a way that standard cellular-based systems can’t.

Unlike GPS tracking systems, the signal in Tag devices can’t be tampered with. Tag uses electronic identification to ensure your vehicle can be recovered even if a thief snaps the vehicle’s cellular antenna or cuts its internal wires. Most thieves are therefore less likely to target a vehicle with a Tag logo etched on its windows, which can help prevent a theft claim in the first place and lower the chances of your insurance rate increasing at renewal.

Plus, with Aviva’s offer, you can protect your vehicle with a theft recovery system valued at $400 at no cost. Those with personal auto insurance policies under Aviva Insurance Company of Canada or Traders General Insurance Company who receive the offer letter can get the Tag system installed at their local Speedy Glass auto shop by booking an appointment before July 1, 2023. Both the offer letter and a valid Aviva pink slip are required to carry out the free Tag installation — which comes with a five-year warranty.

Which vehicle models are eligible for free Tag installation?

The Tag anti-theft initiative is in place to protect customers that drive vehicle models with the highest unrecovered theft rates. To be eligible, customers must also live in areas Aviva classifies as theft “hotspots.” Currently, the offer applies only to insured customers who drive the following vehicle models:

• Lexus RX 350
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Toyota Highlander
• Honda CRV
• Ford F-150
• Dodge Ram 1500

As Aviva reviews their data, this list may change, along with the offer.

Review your auto insurance coverage to protect against theft

To better protect yourself against auto theft, consider adding comprehensive insurance, all perils, or specified perils coverage to your policy. A standard car insurance policy won’t cover repairs or vehicle replacement after a non-collision loss like theft. So, even if your vehicle is recovered with Tag technology, repairing any damage that results from the theft would require more extensive coverage.

Before adding coverage to your policy, it helps to compare car insurance rates to find the provider that can offer you the lowest premium. And, if you hope to switch to a provider offering free Tag installation, comparing rates from companies taking part in the initiative can narrow down your search.