[Audience] Visit Home page

[Audience] Visitors not seen community content

[Audience] Visitors not seen answers content

[Audience] Visitors not seen safety content

[Audience] Visitors not seen good content

[Audience] Visitors not seen adventures content

[Audience] Visitors not seen digital magazine content

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Good-themed section during the last visits
Then show Good Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Good

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Answers-themed section during the last visits
Then show Answers Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Answers

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Digital Magazine-themed section during the last visits
Then show Digital Magazine hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Digital Magazine

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Answers-themed section during the last visits
Then show Answers hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Answers

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Community-themed section during the last visits
Then show Community hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Community

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Safety-themed section during the last visits
Then show Safety hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Safety

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Good-themed section during the last visits
Then show Good hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Good

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Adventure-themed section during the last visits
Then show Adventure hero banner.

[Home - Hero] Adventures

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Digital Magazine-themed section during the last visits
Then show Digital Magazine Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Digital Magazine

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Adventure-themed section during the last visits
Then show Adventure Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Adventures

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Community-themed section during the last visits
Then show Community Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Community

If user returns to the site and hasn't seen the Safety-themed section during the last visits
Then show Safety Trending Section.

[Home - Trending] Safety

Behind the scenes, multiple protective measures are being put in place to help create a safer environment for drivers across the country.

Car Theft: How Canada is Creating a Safer Environment for Drivers

The numbers are staggering. A vehicle is stolen from a driveway or parking lot, on average, every five minutes across Canada, leaving unsuspecting victims to pick up the pieces after their second-most-valuable possession has disappeared. According to industry estimates, the cost of vehicle theft in 2023 was $1.5 billion, while the impact in Ontario alone exceeded $1 billion. Data underscores the severity of this issue, with a leading source of information being Équité Association. A not-for-profit, Équité is the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, supporting property and casualty (P&C) insurers in Canada. Équité’s data shows that auto theft losses tripled from 2018 to 2022 across the country. Between 2021 and 2023, auto theft increased 48.2 percent in Ontario, 34 percent in Atlantic Canada, 57.9 percent in Quebec and 5.5 percent in Western Canada.

How Did Car Theft Get So Out of Control? - 1

__How did we get here?__
Cars being stolen is not a new phenomenon, but how they are being taken and where they are headed has become far more sophisticated. 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.

- 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.
- Part of the challenge is that the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations in Canada have not been updated since 2007. We’ve experienced a significant evolution in technology over the last two decades, and those devices that have become commonplace (tablets, laptops, Bluetooth, smartphones) are also being used to help gain entry to vehicles.
- Clearly, vehicles have evolved faster than regulations—meaning those intended to keep our cars safe are now in urgent need of updating to include the latest anti-theft technologies.


How Did Car Theft Get So Out of Control? - 2

How Did Car Theft Get So Out of Control?

The numbers are staggering. A vehicle is stolen from a driveway or parking lot, on average, every five minutes across Canada, leaving unsuspecting victims to pick up the pieces after their second-most-valuable possession has disappeared.

In Ontario, through the Office of the Solicitor General, the province has committed funding over three years to establish community safety grants and create response teams to help dismantle the primary source of vehicle theft—organized crime. The provincial government also explored ways to work in partnership with the federal government and numerous sectors to address the challenges. 

“The Government of Ontario recognizes that car thieves are serious criminals who cannot be allowed to victimize Ontarians,” says Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario, “which is why we are investing more than $100 million in new measures to help police identify and help battle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars.” 

This includes $18 million invested in the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) grant that is funding 21 projects across the province for new and enhanced crime-fighting measures and $49 million for four helicopters to help GTA police services track these criminals. 

At the federal level, earlier this year, the government held a National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft. This one-day meeting included law enforcement, the auto sector, insurers and representatives from every level of government discussing immediate and long-term solutions. CAA was the only consumer-focused organization invited to speak at the event and represent the interests and perspectives of drivers across the country.

## The call to manufacturers 
When people are talking about auto theft, one of the most frequent questions is: What are the auto manufacturers doing to protect Canadians? This was discussed at length at the federal summit and continues to be a common pain point for drivers. In a recent CAA Insurance survey, 86 percent of respondents believe that carmakers should be developing and offering solutions to prevent vehicles from being stolen. 

That’s why CAA, along with other organizations, has been calling for updated federal standards. Doing so would be an important first step to ensure that new cars are equipped with features that would make it harder for thieves to gain access to your car in the first place.

## Working together 
Canada isn’t unique in experiencing a rise in coordinated vehicle theft. While the process can be complex, there are steps that can be taken, both immediately and over time, to help protect drivers and lessen the risk of cars being stolen. 

For Canadians to see timely and meaningful change, the sectors involved need to commit to work together, so vehicle theft levels begin to decline. That includes drivers becoming more vigilant and adopting anti-theft devices and practices. 

## Technology
Just as cars have evolved from key to keyless ignition, safety measures need to advance. In a world of two-factor authentication, consumers are used to completing a second stage to access information and systems. Canada’s banking system is a perfect example of where the evolution of security was seamless and did not negatively impact consumers. 

Canadians should expect updated and modernized vehicle-safety regulations, giving drivers peace of mind around the security of their car. Simply put, the status quo is not sustainable. While there are many tools on the market to help keep our vehicles secure, collaboration is a powerful and necessary deterrent against auto theft.

Who Can Stop Car Theft

While there are many tools on the market to help keep our vehicles secure, collaboration is a powerful and necessary deterrent against auto theft.

The impact of vehicle theft is not just economic, but also personal. As the threat grows, insurance companies face increasing costs. To put it in context, CAA Insurance Company has compared the enormity of the current auto theft crisis to a year-round catastrophic event like a hurricane or tornado, but with no end in sight. 

At the same time, without timely and meaningful progress to address vehicle theft, the costs facing the insurance industry will only increase, with the average driver then potentially facing higher premiums in the future. But for a driver whose car is stolen, the impacts are wide reaching—something CAA has defined as the hidden costs of vehicle theft. While your insurer will review your claim, there are other immediate effects. 

There may be emotional trauma, leaving you feeling vulnerable after having one of your main assets and personal spaces invaded. Rental cars are not always immediately available, so there may also be the stress of dealing with the logistics of not having a car for work and family needs.

While searching for a new vehicle, drivers also face the reality that the cost of cars has increased, and so have interest rates. In the end, victims of vehicle theft may end up paying more than they did previously, and that has a direct impact on household budgets and expenses. 

Although thieves tend to target specific vehicles that are in high demand internationally, all drivers should ensure they’re taking the right steps to deter theft and, if necessary, change some bad habits. An April 2024 survey commissioned by CAA Insurance Company found that only 80 percent of drivers lock their doors, less than 40 percent keep their vehicles in a garage and only six percent use a Faraday bag to block their key fob signal.

The Hidden Costs of Car Theft

Social share from Article

 The Hidden Costs of Car Theft

The impact of vehicle theft is not just economic, but also personal.

In-Depth Coverage

While CAA continues to advocate for updating vehicle regulations, there are solutions available for drivers to better secure their vehicles today. One of them, multi-factor authentication (MFA), is a common process that consumers experience daily when using various digital platforms (financial services or retail apps, for example), and could add security against vehicle theft. The process is simple: The first factor is something the user has, like a key fob, while the second factor is something a user knows, such as a unique code that must be entered to start your vehicle. Some car manufacturers have already begun implementing multi-factor authentication to enhance vehicle security. Also growing in popularity are after-market engine immobilizers. As the name suggests, this is not part of a vehicle’s original equipment but is added after and can provide considerable defense against theft and incorporate multi-factor authentication.

The process of authentication varies by product, but here are some more common approaches:

•	Authentication with a personal identification number (PIN) or a code—A driver uses their vehicle’s key fob to start their vehicle like normal, then performs an additional step of using a unique PIN code or sequence on the dashboard console for the car to be operational. So, for example, if thieves intercepted the car’s key fob signal, they wouldn’t be able to get the car in motion without the correct PIN or sequence. Without completing both steps, immobilizers would block the engine from functioning.

•	Mobile apps—Some manufacturers have created mobile apps as an additional form of authentication where the driver requires both the key fob and the app activated to start the vehicle.

Because after-market engine immobilizers vary, research is key before having one installed. Some do not interfere with a vehicle’s control area network (CAN) bus system. The CAN bus system is effectively the brain that enables communication with various applications in a car. Immobilizers that do not require the CAN bus system but use existing vehicle features instead help ensure that vehicle function is not disrupted. Installing an after-market engine immobilizer is complicated and is not a do-it-yourself project. That’s why it is recommended that an immobilizer only be installed by a technician authorized by the product manufacturer.

*Questions about protecting your vehicle? Email autoadvice@caasco.ca or call 1-866-464-6448 with questions for CAA experts.*


Car Theft: Proactive Steps Car Owners Can Take

While CAA continues to advocate for updating vehicle regulations, there are solutions available for drivers to better secure their vehicles today.

Proactive Steps Car Owners Can Take

More than 10 vehicles are stolen each day in Winnipeg alone. That means that while you are asleep in your bed, there is an increasing chance that your vehicle may be stolen from your driveway or garage. Thieves then load the vehicle onto a shipping container to be sold overseas, often by the time you’re making coffee the next morning. What’s even more concerning is the increasing risk of being carjacked.

CAA wants everyone on the road to be safe, informed and protected wherever they go. Here are a few tips to stay safe.

## First and foremost, keep yourself safe.

*   ### Park your car safely
    Leave your vehicle in a well-lit, high traffic area. If you have two cars in a single width driveway, park the less valuable one so that it blocks in the more valuable one. If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside and lock the doors. Installing a home security camera system that covers your parking space is also wise.

*   ### Pay attention to your surroundings
    When returning to your car, keep an eye open for anyone who may be waiting inside other vehicles or potentially following you.

*   ### Make some noise
    If you are heading towards your vehicle and feel like you’re being followed, activate your vehicle’s alarm with your key fob. If you are in your vehicle and you see a stranger approaching the vehicle, lock the doors and set the alarm with your key fob. Make some noise and attract as much attention as you can.

*   ### Make your safety the priority, not the vehicle
    In the unfortunate event that you are approached by people threatening your safety, comply with their demands and give up your vehicle. The car can be replaced. It is not worth risking your well-being to protect it.

How to Protect Your Vehicle and Outsmart Thieves and Carjackers-1

## Protect your vehicle.

*   ### Use anti-theft devices

    A survey conducted by CAA Insurance found that only a small portion of respondents are using anti-theft measures. Just 6% use a steering-wheel lock, while only 8% use a Faraday box to block RFID signals. If your car has a wireless key fob, keep it away from your front door or use a Faraday box or a [RFID key signal blocker](https://shopwithcaa.com/collections/auto-anti-theft-collection/products/swiss-gear-rfid-car-key-signal-blocker), which prevents remote entry to the vehicle.
    If you’re looking for further anti-theft protection, [The Original Club Steering Wheel Lock](https://shopwithcaa.com/collections/auto-anti-theft-collection/products/the-original-club-steering-wheel-lock-red) is available in [CAA Stores](https://www.caasco.com/store-locator) or browse our [collection of car anti-theft products online](https://shopwithcaa.com/collections/auto-anti-theft-collection).

*   ### Make sure you have an immobilizer
    Most vehicles on the road today have what’s called an immobilizer. It’s an electronic security device that only starts the engine if the correct key is present. If your vehicle doesn’t have one, installing one will make it much harder to steal. This prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot wiring a vehicle to start its engine.

*   ### Install a tracker
    Tracking devices send a signal to the police or a monitoring service in the event your vehicle is stolen. Although a GPS tracker may not deter theft, it can be used to locate and recover a vehicle. Most recently, thieves are using Apple AirTags to mark a vehicle and track its location. Apple users can use Find my app while Android users can use Tracker Detect to detect if an AirTag is present and report it to the local police department.

*   ### Lock your doors and windows
    Never leave your vehicle running unattended and always lock the doors. Remember to close the windows and sunroof too. Don’t leave personal information or valuables in the vehicle. Keep your glove box locked with your ownership and contact your insurance company to obtain an electronic insurance slip along with a physical copy. Currently, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario are all areas that accept the electronic insurance slip as legal proof.

*   ### Disconnect your car keys from your house keys
    If your car is stolen, make sure the security of your house doesn’t become part of the equation. Keep your house keys and car keys on a separate keychain.

## What to do if your car is stolen.

Report the theft to the police immediately. You can do this by filing a police report online or by contacting your local police station. If your car or accessories are stolen, the police will need specific information to identify the car, parts and accessories. After calling the police, contact your insurance company to file an incident report.


How to Protect Your Vehicle and Outsmart Thieves and Carjackers-2

## It’s wise to record key information you’ll need to identify your vehicle.

**Keep a record of the following:**

*   Year and make, model, colour(s)

*   Licence plate number

*   Insurance policy number or certificate number

*   Location of the theft

*   Vehicle identification number

*   Serial numbers of all special equipment

*   Special markings such as dents, scratches, other damage etc. 

*   Contact information of any witnesses

We hope this reminds you to speak with your insurance agent or broker now to understand what type of coverage you have on your existing auto insurance policy. In the event your vehicle is stolen, or an incident occurs, you’ll have some peace of mind that you’re covered.

**Terms & Conditions**

Auto Insurance is underwritten by CAA Insurance Company.

<sup>®</sup>CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association.


How to Protect Your Vehicle and Outsmart Thieves and Carjackers-3

How to Protect Your Vehicle and Outsmart Thieves and Carjackers

Prevent car thefts and carjackings. Vehicle thefts are increasing. CAA outlines what you need to know to protect yourself and your vehicle from theft.



Protect Your Vehicle and Outsmart Thieves and Carjackers 

Car theft is big business. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), nearly 74,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada in 2014.

Rick Dubin, IBC’s vice-president of investigative services, says their annual top 10 list of stolen cars and trucks is a good indicator of auto theft trends. The 2015 list includes several model years of Ford F-Series pickups and the Cadillac Escalade.

Some stolen vehicles are used to commit another crime; others are targeted by organized car-theft rings who attach a fake vehicle identification number (VIN) to sell the vehicle in Canada or overseas. Or the car may simply be “chopped” for parts.

“Often, vehicles are recovered with little damage, but some are rendered write-offs because of damage caused by a thief’s attempt to dispose of the vehicle or evidence contained in it,” says Detective Trevor Archibald of the Ottawa Police Service’s Organized Auto Theft Section.

He also says a steering wheel lock, such as The Club, is a good start to prevent theft. Parking indoors and in well-lit areas are also deterrents. Electronic tracking devices can allow a stolen vehicle to be located. Etching the VIN onto major components can help police identify a recovered stolen vehicle or its parts in a suspected chop shop.

Starting with the 2008 model year, all new cars sold in Canada must be equipped with an immobilizer, a device that prevents hot-wiring. For older cars, Dubin recommends having an aftermarket immobilizer installed.

Police also suggest making sure car keys aren’t visible to potential thieves who may peek through home windows.

Finally, never leave the keys in the car: Dubin says 20% of stolen cars are taken simply because the owner left it running unattended.





Call the Police: A Look at Auto Theft - 1

Call the Police: A Look at Auto Theft

To prevent car theft, a steering wheel lock, such as The Club, is a good start. Parking indoors and in well-lit areas are also deterrents. 

