Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles of 2022

Vehicles can be stolen at any time, in any place. Whether that’s in your own driveway or out in a public parking lot, car thieves can strike whenever and wherever they please. Stolen vehicles cost everyone; it has become more than just an issue for the victim, as auto theft puts a strain on automotive resources and thieves taking stolen cars on joyrides can result in collisions, injured pedestrians, and even fatalities. In Ontario, a car is stolen roughly every 48 minutes.

Now you may be wondering, what does this list have to do with insurance? Well, the higher the risk of theft, the higher your insurance premiums will be. Ultimately, stolen vehicle trends can impact your auto insurance premiums. It pays to be mindful of this list and, if your vehicle is listed among the top 10, contact your insurance provider to see what you can do to combat your rate increase.

Here are the top 10 most stolen vehicles of 2022.

The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles (in Canada)

Here is the list of the most stolen vehicles in Canada for 2022:

The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles (in Ontario)

Ontario tends to see some of the highest insurance rates due to the large population and number of drivers. Unfortunately, rates of auto theft in Ontario are also on the rise. Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles in Ontario as of 2022:

Why are vehicles stolen in Canada?

Vehicles are stolen in Canada every day. Some criminals will steal vehicles to take them on joyrides, but cases like these are much more rare than when thieves take your vehicle to sell for parts. Often these parts are exported and re-solid in other places around the world where those parts are in limited supply. Vehicles may also be stolen and then re-sold to unsuspecting customers (which is why it always pays to be dubious of a prospective dealer!)

Each year, roughly 80,000 vehicles are stolen in Canada. Car theft in Canada are some of the worst in the world. It’s a terrible thing, to be a victim of car theft, but luckily policyholders with comprehensive coverage may be insured against such losses. That being said, it’s much more convenient to never have to deal with such an event in the first place.

Popular car theft trends & how to prevent them

As vehicles and automobile technology advance, criminals have to enhance the way they perform vehicle theft. A few popular car theft trends (and how to prevent them) include the following:

Smart key fobs. Many newer vehicles have “smart key fobs,” i.e. remote key fobs which can open your car without needing to put in a key. They offer easy access so that you can lock up faster when entering and exiting your vehicle, but there’s a downside. Criminals have found a way to intercept the frequencies that these key fobs emit, which allows them to copy and therefore break into your vehicle’s diagnostic system. This enables those criminals the ability to reprogram new key fobs which can access your car. The best way to avoid this? Never store your key fob near your door/garage. Lock it in a frequency-proof bag or box to prevent emissions from being copied.

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): The identification number of your vehicle, or VIN, is 17-digits long (or a QR code, for newer models!) and can be located on the left corner of your windshield. This number, unfortunately, can reveal specific info regarding your vehicle, such as how to steal it. Car thieves will steal vehicles and re-vin them, i.e. put a fake VIN on the dash to pass the car off as legitimate when they sell it to unsuspecting consumers. The best way to avoid this? Be dubious of all second-hand car sales. Do your research. If something looks fishy, buy your new car elsewhere!

Apple AirTags. If you always have difficulty finding your vehicle in a public parking lot, Apple AirTags can help you locate it. Unfortunately, tags can remain on your vehicle, allowing criminals to continue tracking you even as you drive off. This can be a threat to your vehicle and to your own personal safety. The best way to prevent this? Park near notable landmarks and signage, or write down the row where you left your vehicle. Tagging your vehicle publicly can be a serious safety hazard.

Avoiding common driving mistakes and reducing your car’s exposure to potential threats can go a long way to avoid car theft. While it’s terrible to think this is something we have to deal with, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Does my insurance cover auto theft?

Not every auto insurance policy will cover auto theft. Auto theft is actually part of an add-on coverage – comprehensive coverage – which is optional and not automatically included with your insurance. If you opt for the most basic, mandatory car insurance, you won’t have protection for vehicle theft.

Work with an Excalibur Defender to ensure you have coverage if your vehicle is stolen. You’ll likely need all perils coverage, which bundles together comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage is the most popular option for car theft coverage, because it protects you against non-collision risks. Specified perils coverage is also an option, but be sure that it includes theft! Depending on your budget and your insurance needs, one coverage may be more ideal for your situation. Again, working with a broker is your best way to get the most accurate auto insurance quote that will work for your needs!