Car Theft Prevention: Do’s and Don’ts (+Checklist)

Between 2018 and 2023, the cost of insurance claims for car theft increased by 254%. It became such a pervasive and costly problem for car owners and car insurers alike, with losses amounting to over $1.5 billion, that the Insurance Bureau of Canada labelled it a “national crisis.” 

At the beginning of 2024, these types of claims saw a slight decline, thanks to the combined efforts of law enforcement, insurers, governments, and drivers. However, the Insurance Bureau cautions that we’re not out of the woods yet. Despite a 19% decline in the first six months of 2024, the number of car theft claims filed are still far above historical trends.

Car Theft Prevention Tips: Do’s and Don’ts

So, what can you do to protect your car from theft? Quite a bit, actually. While some factors are beyond your control, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce your chances of having your car stolen. In fact, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts to follow. 

❌ Don’t make it easy for thieves

Car thieves are often opportunistic, meaning if they spot an easy target, such as a car with the doors unlocked, windows rolled down, or keys in the ignition, they may be more likely to seize the opportunity to strike. Don’t give them that opportunity! In fact, it can be surprisingly easy to make your car harder to steal. 

• Lock your doors, whether you’re inside or outside the vehicle 
• Close your windows
• Never leave your car running unattended
• Take your keys with you when you exit the vehicle 

✅ Invest in anti-theft devices and put them on display

Visible deterrents are highly effective, which is why they are often recommended by police officers. Thankfully, there is a wide range of anti-theft devices available in Canada at various price points, making them accessible to almost every driver. While it comes at an extra cost, many insurance companies and brokers, including YouSet, offer discounts on car insurance to drivers who install these kinds of devices, such as: 

• Steering wheel lock: A physical device that locks the steering wheel in place, making it difficult for thieves to steer the car.
• Brake lock: A device that locks the brake pedal, preventing the car from being driven even if it’s hotwired. 
• Gear shift lock: A device that physically locks the gear shift in place, preventing the car from being shifted into gear and driven.
• OBD lock: A lock that covers the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, preventing the thieves from being able to bypass security features or reprogram the key.
• Kill switch: An electronic device that disables the car’s ignition system, preventing the engine from starting.

❌ Don’t leave valuables in plain sight

Leaving valuables like a purse, wallet, or laptop in plain sight is like rolling out the welcome mat for car thieves. Again, don’t make it that easy! Always take these kinds of items with you. If that’s not possible, at least make sure to hide them where they can’t be seen – like in your trunk or tucked out of view under your seat.

✅ Keep your keys safe

The rise of keyless cars has become somewhat of a controversial issue. In fact, 56% of Canadians believe that keyless entry and ignition systems have increased the risk of auto theft. While this is just one way thieves can steal your car, it’s one worth addressing to reduce your risk.

• Store your keys away from entry points like the front door or garage
• Invest in a protective bag or case that blocks electromagnetic fields
• Don’t leave your spare key in your car
• Check your car’s instruction manual to see if you can turn off your key fob when it’s not in use

❌ Don’t ignore your car’s security features

While car manufacturers still have room for improvement, many vehicles today come equipped with advanced security features, including tilt sensors, intrusion sensors, and double locks. Since you’ve already invested in these features when purchasing your car, make sure they’re activated and working properly to enhance your vehicle’s protection.

✅ Park strategically

Parked cars are vulnerable cars, which is why it’s so important to think about where you leave your vehicle. The more obstacles you create for thieves, the less likely they are to attempt a theft. Take advantage of all available tools and strategies to make your car less inviting to criminals.

• Park in well-lit areas, especially at night
• Park in view of any security cameras, if possible 
• Park in high-traffic areas where your vehicle and any unusual activity will be more likely to be noticed
• Park in a secure and enclosed garage, if possible

❌ Don’t ignore signs that your car is being targeted

If you want to protect your car from theft, especially if you live or park in a high-risk area, you need to stay alert and observant. There may be subtle signs that your car is being targeted, and you won’t notice them if you’re not paying attention. So, always keep an eye on your surroundings, be proactive in spotting potential threats, and notify local police if you have reason for concern.

• Check for any signs of forced entry when entering your vehicle
• Look for unusual marks, stickers, or items left on your car
• Notice if unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly appear around your car, especially if they seem to be circling or parked nearby for extended periods
• Watch for suspicious behaviour around your parking area, like someone watching you park or hanging around your car after you’ve left

✅ Improve the security of your garage/driveway

One of the safest places to park your car is in a secured garage that locks. However, if that’s not an option and you need to park in your driveway, there are steps you can take to make it less accessible and more difficult to steal your vehicle. In fact, here are some ways to enhance your home’s security:

• Install motion-activated lights
• Install a security camera/system
• Install fencing and/or a gate to limit access
• Use landscaping strategically to make it harder to approach your vehicle, but avoid creating hiding spots
• Install physical barriers (ex. bollards), in high-risk situations or locations 

❌ Don’t announce you’re away from home on social media

For the safety of your home and your car, avoid publicly announcing when you’ll be away and for how long. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a month-long vacation, when you tell your friends and followers this kind of information, you risk it falling into the wrong hands. Instead, wait until you return to share photos and limit travel details to trusted friends and family on a need-to-know basis.

✅ Make your car trackable

Even if your car does get stolen, there’s a chance it can be found and returned to you. In fact, according to the Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, up to 50% of stolen cars are found and returned by police. 

If you want to improve your chances of this possible outcome, it helps to make your car trackable. While Apple AirTags are a popular option, they have limitations. For instance, iPhone users may get an “AirTag Found Moving With You” message on their phone, which can tip off a thief. To avoid this, consider investing in a dedicated vehicle tracking system specifically designed for theft recovery. These systems offer real-time location tracking data, which can be sent directly to authorities, without the risk of detection.

❌ Don’t leave personal documents in your car

Your personal information can be just as tempting to thieves as a purse or laptop – if not more. Items like passports, driver’s licenses, social insurance cards, or credit card statements can lead to identity theft or even make it easier for thieves to target your home. Even something as simple as a piece of mail left address-side-up can provide criminals with the information they need to steal your car or commit fraud in your name.

✅ Buy car insurance with comprehensive coverage

In 2024, 33% of Canadians surveyed admitted they didn’t know if their car insurance covered theft. To be protected against car theft or damage from an attempted theft (ex. broken windows or forced locks), you need comprehensive coverage. If you’re unsure whether you have it, take this as a sign to check your policy and understand what’s covered. While this tip might not help you prevent theft, it can help prevent a serious financial setback in the event your car, despite your best efforts, does get stolen.

❌ Don’t buy a highly-sought after car

Given the current state of car theft and the fact that owners of the 10 most commonly stolen vehicles pay a lot more for insurance – roughly 37% above average – it’s wise to choose your car carefully. If possible, avoid buying a vehicle that is known to be targeted by car thieves, such as the Toyota Highlander or Dodge RAM 1500 series.

✅ Upgrade to replacement cash value

In Canada, a lot of car insurance policies offer coverage for the actual cash value of your car, which means you’ll be reimbursed based on your car’s depreciated value at the time it’s stolen. Unfortunately, if you’re a driver with a large outstanding car loan, this might leave you responsible for the remaining balance and the cost of a replacement.

Depending on your financial situation and how concerned you are with your car being stolen, upgrading to replacement cost value could alleviate this by ensuring your payout isn’t reduced by depreciation.

Checklist: How to Protect Your Car from Theft

It’s important to take protecting your car from theft seriously, especially if you live in a hot spot like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or Atlantic Canada. To help you do so, here is a practical car theft prevention checklist you can apply going forward. 

Practice safe habits

• Lock your doors, whether you’re inside or outside the vehicle 
• Close your windows
• Never leave your car running unattended
• Take your keys with you when you exit the vehicle 
• Remove or hide valuables 

Install security features

• Install anti-theft devices and inform your insurance provider (it may earn you a discount!)
• Capitalize on your car’s built-in security features 
• Install a tracking device

Protect your keys

• Store your keys away from entry points like the front door or garage
• Invest in a protective bag or case that blocks electromagnetic fields
• Don’t leave your spare key in your car
• Check your car’s instruction manual to see if you can turn off your key fob when it’s not in use

Park strategically

• Park in well-lit areas, especially at night
• Park in view of any security cameras, if possible 
• Park in high-traffic areas where your vehicle and any unusual activity will be more likely to be noticed
• Park in a secure and enclosed garage, if possible

Watch for warning signs

• Check for any signs of forced entry when entering your vehicle
• Look for unusual marks, stickers, or items left on your car
• Notice if unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly appear around your car, especially if they seem to be circling or parked nearby for extended periods
• Watch for suspicious behaviour around your parking area, like someone watching you park or hanging around your car after you’ve left

Improve home security

• Install motion-activated lights
• Install a security camera/system
• Install fencing and/or a gate to limit access
• Use landscaping strategically to make it harder to approach your vehicle, but avoid creating hiding spots
• Install physical barriers (ex. bollards), in high-risk situations or locations

Make smart buying decisions

• Get comprehensive coverage added to your car insurance policy
• Upgrade to replacement cash value
• Avoid buying a car that is commonly targeted by thieves

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