Lock It Up: The Most Stolen Cars in Canada

The likelihood of your car being stolen plays a factor in how much you pay for your car insurance. If the type of car you drive is a common target for thieves, it will most likely cost you more to insure.

Each year, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) announces the 10 vehicles that were most commonly stolen by thieves, based on actual insurance claims data. Did your car make the list? Let’s hope not.

Canada’s Most Stolen Vehicles

This year's 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are mainly built Ford Tough. They include:

1. 2007 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
2. 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
3. 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
4. 2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
5. 2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
6. 2015 Toyota 4Runner 4-door 4WD SUV
7. 2003 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD SUV
8. 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
9. 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
10. 2010 Acura ZDX 4-door AWD SUV

Increased Car Theft in Canada

"For the second consecutive year, auto theft across Canada has ticked higher," said Garry Robertson, National Director, Investigative Services, IBC. "After large declines in auto theft activity over the last decade, the number of stolen vehicles has gone up six per cent from last year, to 78,849 across Canada. The biggest increases were in Alberta where stolen vehicle numbers are up 32 per cent and Prince Edward Island where they are up 19 per cent."

Protect Yourself from Theft

It pays to be vigilant about deterring car thieves. The IBC estimates that it takes less than a minute for a car thief to steal your vehicle, and they offer the following tips to protect yourself from theft:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• When parking your car, always close the windows and lock the doors.
• Put valuables and packages in the trunk, where they're out of sight.
• Keep your car in the garage at night.
• Don't leave personal information in the glove box.
• Take your insurance and ownership documents with you when you park your vehicle.
• Never leave your vehicle running while unattended.

"If you have gone to the trouble of buying a car that has a theft deterrent system that makes stealing it tougher, don't make it easy for thieves by leaving the keys in the car,” Robertson stressed. "A vehicle left running unattended is not only easy to steal, it has increased value as a stolen vehicle because it comes with the keys."

Lock Up Savings on Your Car Insurance Premiums and Shop Around

You likely take precautions to ensure that your car is safe from thieves. But when was the last time you took precautions to make sure you weren’t overpaying for your auto insurance? It’s important to compare quotes regularly because car insurance rates often change. Your insurance provider may have offered you the best car insurance rate five years ago, two years ago or even last year, but they may no longer offer you the best deal today.

What does it mean to shop your car insurance rate “regularly”? Well, some common times to spot check your rate include when:

• It’s time to renew your policy
• You get married or divorced
• You move to a new neighbourhood
• You buy a new set of wheels
• You add new drivers to your policy, like a teen driver
• Your driving record changes (due to tickets, accidents, etc.)
• You change jobs or retire

Basically, anytime you call up your current insurer to give them an update on your situation, is a good time to check if they’re still giving you the best rate out there. See if you could be saving more on your auto insurance. Compare car insurance rates today.