How to prevent car theft

According to Équité Association, more than 57,000 private vehicles were stolen in 2024 across Canada. Protecting your vehicle in 2026 means understanding the modern auto theft methods used by criminals and implementing multiple prevention measures that delay and deter theft from happening in the first place. Today’s car thieves aren’t solely relying on hot-wiring vehicles any longer; they’re smarter and more tech-savvy.

Why car theft is different now than in previous years

The Insurance Bureau of Canada reports that vehicle theft claims increased by 13% between 2019 and 2023, with auto theft insurance claims skyrocketing to a staggering $1.5 billion in 2023 alone. Today’s car thieves are increasingly taking advantage of digital entry points, not just doors and ignition systems:

• Keyless-entry relay attacks: Car thieves use signal amplifiers to trick your vehicle into thinking the key fob is nearby, providing access to your vehicle.

• CAN bus and OBD exploits: Criminals can tap into your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic (OBD) ports and CAN bus networks to start your vehicle or program keys.

• Key fob cloning: Thieves can copy your fob signal to create duplicate keys within minutes.

These are just some of the methods organized criminals use to steal vehicles quickly and efficiently, especially in dense urban areas like the Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg, compared to rural areas. Additionally, SUVs, pickup trucks and luxury cars are consistently targeted due to their high demand and resale value.

1. Start with everyday habits that cut down risk

To successfully prevent auto theft, motorists should aim to build a foundation of good habits that they can easily implement every day. Read on to learn the best habits that can protect your vehicle:

Core habits to adopt today

Get into the habit of:

• Always lock your doors and close your windows, even if you’re making a quick stop.

• Turn your wheels toward the curb when you’re parking on a hill. This will make it harder for thieves to tow your vehicle.

• Keep your keys and fobs away from doors and windows. Signals may be available on the outside of your home.

Situational awareness matters

Make sure that you:

• Never park your vehicle in a poorly lit or isolated area when possible.

• Check your surroundings before exiting your car to be aware of any potential hazards or suspicious activity that could make you a vulnerable target.

Believe it or not, many car thefts occur due to convenience. Whether it’s accidentally leaving your door unlocked, warming up your vehicle in the winter unattended or keeping your keys too close to an exterior wall in your home.

2. Stop keyless-relay attacks (Faraday and settings)

Relay attacks occur when a car thief uses signal amplifiers. They place one amplifier near your key fob and one near your car. Your vehicle will then pick up the signal from your key fob, unlocking and starting your car as if your actual fob were right there. Here is what you should know:

Countermeasures you can apply today

To prevent keyless-relay attacks, you should:

• Faraday pouches and metal key storage boxes can block fob signals when you are not using your keys.

• Disable keyless entry/auto-lock features if your vehicle allows it. You can confirm this by looking at your owner’s manual.

• Double-check to see if your fob has a sleep mode. Most newer cars come with fobs that go into a sleep mode, effectively blocking signals, while not in use.

Practical tips for Faraday pouches:

Faraday pouches are meant to hold your belongings. You can:

• Put your keys inside a Faraday pouch and conduct a walk-away test. Walk to your car with the pouch and attempt to unlock your vehicle. If it doesn’t unlock, your Faraday pouch is working as it should.

• Keep all of your keys and spare keys inside the pouch when not in use.

Pro tip: Keeping your vehicle locked in your garage isn’t enough. Pair your Faraday pouch with other changes to ensure you’re protected on all fronts.

3. Add visible, physical deterrents to make thieves skip your car

As we said, motor vehicles often become targets for thieves due to convenience. What they’re really looking for is a vehicle they can quickly enter and drive off without any difficulty. Let's take a look at what that means:

Effective visible deterrents

Thieves tend to avoid cars that have:

• Steering wheel locks: These are simple, affordable and visible to a would-be thief.

• Brake and pedal locks add another point of inconvenience.

• Wheel locking devices: Devices like wheel clamps are great for long-term storage in high-crime areas, but not for everyday use.

4. Hardened electronics (engine immobilizers, OBD, alarm systems and hood locks)

Internal networks (CAN bus) are used in many modern cars to enable communication between their different components. Some thieves will choose to exploit the OBD port on your vehicle, which is a diagnostic access point often found under your dashboard to reprogram keys and conduct start commands. Let's take a look:

Anti-theft measures

Here's how you can prevent theft:

• OBD port locks or enclosures: These devices act as a physical cover over your OBD port that requires a key or password combination for access.

• Relocate your OBD port: Work with a professional to relocate your OBD port to a more inconvenient location in your car.

• Secondary engine immobilizers or PIN-required start modules: These anti-theft devices add a layer of protection before your key.

• Hood locks: These protect access to your engine bay wiring that potential thieves may target.

Although there are anti-theft systems and devices available for purchase, you may want to consider working with a professional to prevent theft. Many thieves are prepared with the tools and techniques needed to bypass immobilizers and other anti-theft devices.

5. Park smarter: home, condo, street, work and mall

Where you park your car matters just as much as installing anti-theft systems in your vehicle. Let's take a closer look:

Home parking

Even at home, your car is at risk of being targeted by thieves depending on where you park and what security measures you have set up:

• A locked garage is the best place to park your vehicle.

• Consider installing motion activated lights, video cameras and other home security measures to deter thieves further.

Condo/apartment parking

If you reside in a condo, consider doing the following:

• If your condo lacks an underground parking lot, opt for a well-lit area in your neighbourhood and switch where you park often. Thieves may catch onto your parking schedule.

• Use steering wheel locks: Even if you’re parking underground, access to your locked parking lot may be compromised. Ensure your car alarm is set and you have a steering wheel locking device in place to prevent theft.

Street parking

Your car is vulnerable while parked on a street. Consider:

• Avoid parking in dimly-lit areas in your neighbourhood. Opt for a busier street if possible.

• If you have other options, avoid parking your vehicle on the street overnight. Stolen cars are often taken from unattended streets at night.

Work or mall parking lots

Protect your vehicle by:

• Parking near the entrance of your work or the mall.

• Even if you’re running into a store quickly to pick something up, vehicle theft can still occur. Vehicle owners should aim to prevent thieves from gaining access to their vehicles by activating theft prevention devices like alarm systems and wheel locks, regardless.

Track and recover (what to buy and how to use it safely)

In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, having recovery technology on hand can increase the odds of finding your vehicle. Read on to learn how to make tracking your vehicle easier:

Types of tracking devices

Consider installing the following:

• OEM telematics (built into newer vehicles) can notify police and pinpoint the location of your vehicle more quickly.

• GPS units: Install a hidden GPS in your car with a backup power source to help you track your vehicle.

Best practices

Get into the habit of:

• Concealing GPS trackers and kill switches to ensure thieves do not remove them.

• Use a second, hidden backup tracker if possible.

• Set up notifications on your phone to track when your car is being used.

Ownership practices (keys, VIN/docs, re-programming)

Good ownership practices can reduce your chances of having your vehicle stolen:

• Reprogram your keys after you’ve lost them or they’ve been stolen.

• Avoid temporary keys unless absolutely necessary.

• Never leave valuables or spare keys in your car.

• Vehicle registration and insurance should be stored in your glovebox, away from any line of sight.

• If you’re selling your car, make sure that your keys are disabled and wiped from the vehicle memory.

Insurance coverage for vehicle theft in Canada

Having the right car insurance coverage can help soften the blow in the event your vehicle is stolen:

Coverage that matters

Comprehensive insurance covers theft and damage from attempted theft.

Discounts

Most insurance companies in Canada offer discounts to policyholders if their vehicle is equipped with anti-theft devices.

Documents needed for insurance claim

If you want to file a claim, you'll need to provide the following documents:

• Police report and incident number.

• Proof of security devices installed.

• Key and fob information.

What to do if your car is stolen (step-by-step)

If your vehicle is stolen:

1. Confirm it hasn’t been towed by calling your local tow company.

2. Call the police immediately and report your stolen vehicle.

3. Follow police guidance about tracking your car.

4. Disable lost keys through your dealership.

Do not attempt to recover your vehicle yourself. Allow law enforcement to conduct their investigation for your safety.

Contact BrokerLink today

If you fall victim to a car thief, it's essential that you have the right auto insurance in place that allows you to deal with the aftermath seamlessly. At BrokerLink, we help customers get affordable auto insurance. With years of experience and offices across Canada, our team of brokers is always available to answer your questions or guide you through the process of choosing a new insurance policy.

If we're in your neighbourhood, feel free to visit us in the office to work with one of our brokers directly. Unable to make it in person? No problem. You can also reach us over the phone or use our free online quote tool to get competitive, customized car insurance quotes from some of Canada's top providers from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be!

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