Did you know a car is stolen every three and a half minutes in Canada? Although the rate of auto theft has decreased over the years, many Canadians still fall victim to this crime every day. Each year the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) publishes an annual list of the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada.
For a second consecutive year, the 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2DR is the number one most frequently stolen vehicle in Canada. A common vehicle, thieves target the Civic for parts and reselling them to often-unknowing businesses. Check the rankings to see if your car is on the top of IBC’s lists.
In both Alberta and Ontario, larger vehicles in the truck and SUV categories represent another significant target for thieves:
Alberta:
| Rank |
Year |
Model |
| 1. |
2007 |
FORD F250 SD 4WD |
| 2. |
2006 |
FORD F350 SD 4WD |
| 3. |
2007 |
FORD F350 SD 4WD |
| 4. |
2005 |
FORD F350 SD 4WD |
| 5. |
2000 |
HONDA CIVIC SiR 2DR |
| 6. |
2005 |
FORD F250 SD 4WD |
| 7. |
2004 |
FORD F350 SD 4WD |
| 8. |
2004 |
FORD F250 SD 4WD |
| 9. |
2003 |
FORD F350 SD 4WD |
| 10. |
2006 |
FORD F250 SD 4WD |
Source: IBC – http://www.ibc.ca/on/auto/theft/top-ten-stolen-cars
Ontario:
In Ontario, both larger trucks and SUVs represent a large share of the list.
| Rank |
Year |
Model |
| 1. |
2005 |
CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD |
| 2. |
2002 |
CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD |
| 3. |
2003 |
ACURA RSX TYPE S 2DR |
| 4. |
2000 |
HONDA CIVIC SiR 2DR |
| 5. |
2003 |
CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD |
| 6. |
2004 |
CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD |
| 7. |
2006 |
HUMMER H2 4DR AWD |
| 8. |
2010 |
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4DR 4WD |
| 9. |
2005 |
CHEV/GMC TAHOE/YUKON 4DR 4WD |
| 10. |
2002 |
ACURA RSX TYPE S 2DR |
Source: IBC – http://www.ibc.ca/on/auto/theft/top-ten-stolen-cars
Unlike the top-targeted Honda Civic, Four- and All-wheel drive vehicles such as the Ford F-250 and -350 lines of trucks, and the Cadillac Escalade, are more expensive vehicles targeted for resale to unaware customers. Those who buy a stolen car are at risk for a substantial financial loss as there is no way to recover back the money. As thieves will even fraudulently alter the VIN (vehicle Identification Number), it’s a good idea if buying a used car privately to check the Canadian Police Information Centre’s national database (link: http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm) to see if that vehicle has been reported as stolen.
No one wants to face the possibility of their car being stolen, but here are some steps you can take to prevent your car ending up in thieves’ hands:
Protection is every bit as important as prevention, so if you have any questions or concerns about what is covered under your existing auto insurance policy, call your BrokerLink Broker today.