How do stolen vehicle trends impact auto insurance premiums in Canada?

With files from Jessica Ho

This post was originally published on April 11, 2022, and was updated on February 12, 2026.

Stolen vehicle trends are a concern nationwide, and your car could be next. Here’s everything you need to know about car theft in Canada, and how it impacts the cost of your insurance premiums. 

2025 Auto Theft Trend Report

Équité Association, a national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention in Canada, recently released its 2025 Auto Theft Trend Report. The data show an 18% decrease in stolen-car trends nationwide (46,999) compared to 2024. Quebec and Ontario saw the largest YoY decreases in theft, at 25% and 22%, respectively. Western Canada saw an 11% decrease and Atlantic Canada a 2% decrease in auto theft. Yet, despite the decline in theft, total annual claim losses are estimated at $900 million. 

Additionally, the report highlights a 72% increase in vehicle finance fraud YoY at the ports of Quebec and Nova Scotia. Vehicle finance fraud is a form of identity theft in which criminals steal personal information to apply for an auto loan, buy a car, and then take out an insurance policy with the intent to commit fraud. So while national efforts to reduce auto theft have been effective, the rise of financial fraud means Canada must remain focused on prevention and public safety. 

A positive in the report is that the national stolen vehicle recovery rate is improving YoY, with 2025 at 59% vs. 58% in 2024. Western Canada experienced the highest YoY recovery rates at 73% and 71% in Alberta. Atlantic Canada saw a 63% recovery rate, with Ontario at 51% and Quebec at 48%.

Why are cars stolen?

Aside from the obvious joyride, there are a number of other reasons a thief would be incentivized to steal your car. For instance, stolen vehicles in Ontario have been found in other parts of the world, exported and resold in countries with limited supply due to the pandemic. On the other hand, stolen cars are also often resold to unsuspecting customers in close proximity, while other thieves may steal a ride to simply commit a crime.

How many cars are stolen in Canada each year?

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, over 105,000 vehicles were stolen across the country in 2022. That's one vehicle for every five minutes. While the number of stolen cars has dropped to 46,999 in 2025, auto theft remains a serious issue and continues to pose safety concerns for Canadians.

The rising cost of theft claims in Canada

A new report from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reveals that the number of auto theft claims has decreased by 27% over the past two years. Still, theft rates are higher than they were 10 years ago, and insurance losses have increased by 371% over the last decade.

According to the IBC, in the first half (H1) of 2025, more than 12,800 theft claims were made, totalling $361.5 million in losses. This is a 34% decrease in losses from the same period in 2024, but a 200% increase compared to H1 2015. 

Previously, the IBC reported that claims costs in H1 2024 totalled approximately $544.7 million, a 28.8% decrease from the same period in 2023. This was viewed as a positive sign in the fight against the rising cost of stolen vehicles. No data has been released on the final 2024 total, but it was trending below 2022’s $1.3M.

Additionally, the IBC previously revealed the cost to cover stolen vehicle claims peaked in 2023 at a record-breaking $1.5 billion – this was the second consecutive year in which costs surpassed $1 billion. Comparatively, between 2018 and 2021, the cost of stolen vehicle claims averaged $556 million each year, showing just how extreme a rise there had been across the country. 

Below is a table outlining nationwide auto theft claims, including counts and costs from 2018 to 2023, along with projections for 2024 and 2025 based on IBC's reporting. 

^{*2024 and 2025 totals are a projection based on reported mid-year totals}

To learn more about the financial impact of being a victim of auto theft, read our latest analysis: What is the total cost of auto theft in Canada?

How are car thieves stealing vehicles in Canada?

So, how are cars even taken, and what do you need to watch out for? Aside from making sure that your keys aren’t left in the vehicle, here are some common car theft trends you should take note of. 

Does car insurance cover theft?

Not all auto insurance policies cover car theft. It’s typically an optional coverage that drivers add on, so if you simply opt for the basic, mandatory car insurance in your province, you won’t have protection against auto theft.

To ensure you’ll be financially compensated in the event your vehicle is stolen, you’ll need one of the following three coverages:

Other theft protective coverages for your consideration

How do stolen vehicle trends increase car insurance rates?

Auto insurers calculate your premium based on the probability of certain risk factors, including theft. So here’s how stolen vehicle trends in Canada can impact your car insurance rate.

Most stolen vehicles in Canada

Even though anyone can be a victim of car theft and any car can be a target, car thieves typically tend to target certain types of vehicles more often (e.g. high-end trucks and SUVs).  So, if you own a vehicle model that’s at a higher risk of being stolen, don’t be surprised if it costs you a little extra to insure, but by how much?

Based on the Équité Association list of 2024's 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada, we calculated the insurance cost for each car on the list against a comparable non-listed vehicle to see what the insurance premium difference would be.

The table below shows annual and percentage differences in purchasing a frequently stolen vehicle.

The driver profile is based on a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record in Etobicoke, Ontario, insured with $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible, $1,000,000 in liability coverage and no bundling or telematics. 

Using Ratehub.ca’s auto insurance comparison tool, our data reveals that driving the #1 most stolen vehicle in Canada, the Toyota RAV-4, can result in about an 18% increase in insurance premiums when compared to a non-listed vehicle. 

When we examined the pricing differences on trucks, we didn’t see significant price increases (except for the Ford F150 at 24%). This is likely because trucks inherently carry a higher risk of theft, so the price difference from a vehicle listed in the top 10 vs a non-listed vehicle wasn’t as drastic. 

The price differences of a luxury vehicle such as the Lexus RX Series resulted in dramatically higher insurance prices over the comparable. Given that a luxury vehicle is expensive to insure to begin with, any increased risk comes with a higher rate, as the repair and replacement costs associated with these vehicles are greater.

It’s also worth noting that the make and model of a car is not the only consideration to take into account regarding the total cost of auto theft. Despite a vehicle being at high risk of theft, if it has high safety ratings, its MSRP is less than comparable vehicles, and its repair costs are low, it’s likely that the vehicle may still be affordable to insure.

Overall, the data shows that in general, insurance premiums for vehicles on the most stolen list result in higher rates because of the risk insurance providers take on. You should expect to pay upwards of +20% more on average, but the expected increase will vary widely depending on the age and type of vehicle.

Some insurers also apply a specific high-theft vehicle surcharge when calculating rates for frequently stolen vehicles. This could range from $500 to $1,500 annually. However, the surcharge may be waived by some providers if drivers install theft recovery devices. Other providers will simply charge more for cars that are more likely to be targeted for auto theft.

Note: The actual premium you’ll pay will depend on your location, driving and insurance history, vehicle (make, model, year) and the insurance company.

Locations with high car theft rates

Living in a location that is more prone to car theft can also increase your auto insurance premium. Cities, such as Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa, typically face higher rates of theft than rural areas, which causes the average rate of car insurance to go up. Although it’s unreasonable to move locations in an attempt to save some money on insurance, taking proactive measures, such as parking in a private garage, can help alleviate some of the higher insurance costs. 

Also read: Car theft: Top cities for stolen vehicles in Canada

The bottom line

While we’re seeing a decrease in the volume of stolen vehicles YoY, the cost of theft is still a costly issue that is putting pressure on the insurance market. As a car owner, be sure to protect yourself with a sufficient car insurance policy. Consider adding specific theft-related coverages, such as comprehensive insurance, loss of use insurance, and gap insurance. And as rates increase because of an increase in the cost of car theft, be sure to compare car insurance quotes with us to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible. 

Also read

• What is the total cost of auto theft in Canada?
• 15 ways to get cheap car insurance in Canada 
• 7 car security tips to prevent car theft