Striking Facts

Automobile theft is a widespread phenomenon in industrialized countries. According to Interpol, 3 million vehicles are stolen in the world every year. Worldwide, the profits from the sale of stolen vehicles are somewhere in the order of US$19 billion.

A complex problem

In Québec, in 2005, more than 38,500 vehicles were stolen, which is 1 vehicle every 14 minutes. In order to compensate the owners of stolen vehicles, insurers paid out more than approximately $300 million in 2005.

Vehicle theft occurs throughout Canada where more than 160,000 vehicles were stolen in 2005. Although the theft of motorized vehicles affects the entire country, the problem and its socioeconomic consequences vary from one province to the next. In Western Canada, namely Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most thefts are opportunistic in nature. This type of theft is referred to as "joyriding." An opportunistic theft is committed for reasons other than economic ones, namely for pleasure, as a result of a dare or in order to obtain a vehicle needed to commit a crime. Most of these thefts are committed by young people.

For more information : Groupement des assureurs automobiles

Theft of automobiles and belongings

In order to keep your vehicle and the goods you have in it from being stolen, we suggest that you:

• Install an antitheft device that satisfies Canadian standards and is approved by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). It should be noted, however, that the effectiveness of such systems is often compromised by the installation of a remote starter after the purchase of the vehicle. And don't forget: never give your alarm system code to a stranger or tell them how your ignition lock works!

• Consider additional protective measures such as engraving various parts and the front windshield, or adding an alarm and a tracking system.

• Equip your car with a locking device (such as an antitheft bar lock). Some bars lock the steering wheel; others lock the gear shift or the clutch pedal. And, since they're visible, they discourage potential thieves. You can also replace the bolts on your wheels with antitheft bolts.

• Never leave an unattended vehicle running.

• Close the windows and the sun roof, and lock the doors and the trunk, even for just a few seconds and even if your vehicle is parked in front of your house.

• Away from home, choose safe, well-lit parking spots. To reduce the risk of theft, block the wheels by turning them to the side and applying the hand brake. Give only the key to the vehicle to the parking lot attendant, and keep your key chain with you.

• Never leave your registration, insurance certificate or driver's licence in the vehicle. If the thief is stopped before the theft is reported, he will tell the police officer that you loaned your car to him. Result: he will not be arrested and will drive off with your car!

• Thieves are attracted by the goods that are in clear view and easy to sell, such as cameras, computers, etc. Do not carry valuable objects in your vehicle. If you have to, hide them before leaving home-and not when you leave the vehicle. Thieves may be watching you from a distance.

• Never attach a label with your name and address to your key chain.

• Never hide the spare key inside or outside a vehicle: all thieves know about the "magnetic box"!

• Certain vehicles are equipped with devices that prevent access to the trunk or the glove compartment. These security measures are very useful if you have to leave your car in a parking lot with an attendant or at a garage. Consult your owner's manual for more information.

• When away from home, choose parking spots that are secure and well-lit.

• To reduce the risk of theft, block the wheels by turning them to the side and applying the hand brake.

• Give only the car key to the parking lot attendant.

• Keep your key chain with you.

For more information :http://www.infoinsurance.ca/en/preventing/automobile/theft.aspx

Insurance Bureau of Canada has been helping Canadians fight auto theft for more than 80 years. Regrettably, some people still have a very misguided notion as to what auto theft is and isn’t. Let’s set the record straight.

Auto theft is not:

• just an insurance or a policing problem

• just a victimless crime

• just a property crime

Auto theft is:

• a global problem

• profitable for criminals

• expensive for law-abiding citizens

• dangerous and a threat to our safety

Auto theft defies all boundaries – jurisdictional, political, geographical and administrative. And it is a big and lucrative business; on average, a car is stolen every three minutes in Canada – that’s close to 500 per day. Because of the changing trends and complexity of the issue, the fight against auto theft requires the cooperation and involvement of many partners. It starts with automobile owners and includes the law enforcement community, automobile manufacturers, dealers of new and used cars, salvage operators, car repairers, automobile insurers, theft deterrent system manufacturers and installers, licensing and customs authorities, and the judicial system.

Auto theft is not a victimless crime – or just a property crime. First, on average, it costs each policyholder an additional $48 on his or her insurance premium. On top of that, auto theft costs all Canadians at least $1.2 billion per year, if one also considers health care, court, policing, legal and out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles. Second, and more serious, auto theft costs people their lives. Car thieves have absolutely no regard for public safety and the rules of the road. Every year approximately 40 people die and 65 are injured as a direct result of auto theft. When it’s in the hands of a thief, a stolen car is like a loaded gun.

Available Video:
Meet the Thief

Where are all the stolen vehicules going?

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