Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in Ontario [Updated 2024]

Car theft in Canada is finally decreasing as reported by Equite Association in their news report based on the first half of 2024.

It is estimated that auto theft claims in 2023 touched $1.5 billion out of which $1 billion was in Ontario as reported by Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Out of the major cities in Ontario, Toronto, had the highest number of auto theft claims costs of $371,815,072 in 2023 compared to $56,223,067 in 2018, a staggering 561% increase.

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

The most striking insight from this data is the exponential growth in the cost of auto theft claims across all cities listed. Toronto, the largest city, saw its auto theft claims costs soar by 561%, from $56,223,067 in 2018 to $371,815,072 in 2023. While this increase is alarming, Toronto is not the only city experiencing such a surge.

• Brampton had a staggering 719% increase, with claims costs rising from $11,378,590 in 2018 to $93,186,518 in 2023.
• Mississauga also faced a 533% increase, going from $14,226,190 in 2018 to $89,980,735 in 2023.
• Vaughan experienced a 789% increase, with claims costs jumping from $7,023,115 in 2018 to $62,443,717 in 2023.
• Markham saw the most dramatic rise, with a 989% increase, as costs escalated from $4,005,428 in 2018 to $43,633,553 in 2023.

This surge in costs reflects not only an increase in the frequency of auto thefts but also a rise in the value of the vehicles being targeted or the complexity and expense involved in settling claims.

Implications for Auto Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies base their premiums on the risk of loss, and with such significant increases in auto theft claims, it's likely that insurers will raise premiums in these cities. Higher claims costs directly impact the profitability of insurers, who may need to adjust premiums to cover these rising expenses. Cities like Markham, with nearly a 1000% increase in claims costs, could see some of the steepest hikes in auto insurance rates.

Additionally, insurers may become more selective in underwriting policies in these high-risk areas, potentially leading to stricter criteria for obtaining coverage or the introduction of additional security requirements for policyholders.

What were the top 10 Cars Stolen in Canada?

Source: Equite Association

The table highlights the top vehicles most frequently stolen based on model year, number of thefts, theft frequency percent, and vehicle type. The Honda CR-V (2020) tops the list with 5,620 thefts, making it the most stolen vehicle, although its theft frequency is relatively moderate at 1.2%. The Land Rover Range Rover (2020), despite having fewer thefts (1,343), has the highest theft frequency percent at 3.9%, indicating a higher risk of theft relative to its presence on the road.

Other notable vehicles include the Dodge RAM 1500 Series (2022) with 2,600 thefts and a 0.5% theft frequency, the Lexus RX Series (2020) with 1,815 thefts and a 1.9% theft frequency, and the Toyota Highlander (2021), Honda Civic (2019), and Jeep Grand Cherokee (2021), all with theft numbers between 1,349 and 1,759 and theft frequencies between 1.1% and 1.5%.

The Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series (2006) has the lowest theft frequency at 0.2% despite a notable number of thefts (1,260), likely due to the high number of these vehicles still in use. The Jeep Wrangler (2021) rounds out the list with 1,189 thefts and a 0.9% theft frequency.

Top 10 Cars Stolen in Ontario

Source: Equite Association

Top 10 Cars Stolen in Toronto

Let's dive deeper into the top 10 cars stolen in Toronto. In 2021, the Toronto Police Service Public Safety Data Portal reported 6634 cars stolen in 2021.

The Honda CR-V tops the list with 654 thefts, making it the most stolen vehicle in 2021. With a theft frequency percent of 9.86%, it stands out significantly among other vehicles. This may suggest that the CR-V is a highly desirable target for thieves, possibly due to its popularity and availability.

The Lexus Rx350 comes in second, with 418 reported thefts and a 6.30% theft frequency. Luxury vehicles like the Rx350 are often targeted for their high resale value and expensive parts.

Note: In the above graph, 2024 data is reported until June.

Analysis of Auto Theft Trends in Toronto (2014-2024)

The data showcases the year-on-year frequency of auto thefts in Toronto, highlighting significant trends and changes over the decade.

1. Gradual Increase (2014-2017):

From 2014 to 2017, the number of auto thefts in Toronto remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations. In 2014, there were 3,640 reported thefts, which decreased slightly in 2015 to 3,268 but then increased again in 2016 and 2017 to 3,343 and 3,646 respectively. This period reflects a fairly consistent level of auto theft activity, with no drastic changes.

2. Sharp Rise (2018-2023):

Starting in 2018, there is a noticeable and consistent increase in the number of auto thefts:

• 2018: 4,804 thefts (+31.7% increase from 2017)
• 2019: 5,379 thefts (+12.0% increase from 2018)
• 2020: 5,798 thefts (+7.8% increase from 2019)
• 2021: 6,634 thefts (+14.4% increase from 2020)

The upward trend accelerates dramatically in 2022, with thefts nearly doubling from the previous year:

• 2022: 9,853 thefts (+48.6% increase from 2021)
• 2023: 12,275 thefts (+24.6% increase from 2022)

This period marks a significant rise in auto thefts, which could be attributed to several factors, such as the increasing value of certain vehicle models, the proliferation of organized crime targeting vehicles, and possibly even the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of Auto Theft Distribution by Location (2022-2024)

The data provided offers a detailed breakdown of auto thefts by location across three years: 2022, 2023, and 2024. Here's an analysis of the trends and key insights:

Outside:

• The most common location for auto thefts across all three years is Outside (e.g., streets, open areas), with 4,849 thefts in 2022, rising to 6,246 in 2023, before decreasing to 2,683 in 2024. This consistent pattern indicates that vehicles parked outside, particularly in unsecured areas, are at higher risk of being stolen.

Houses:

• The number of auto thefts occurring at Houses (presumably driveways or garages) also showed a consistent trend. It rose from 3,602 in 2022 to 4,155 in 2023 and then dropped significantly to 1,557 in 2024. The consistent numbers highlight that even residential areas aren't immune to auto theft, though 2024 saw a dramatic improvement, possibly due to better security practices.

Commercial Areas:

• Thefts in Commercial locations increased from 718 in 2022 to 908 in 2023, followed by a drop to 322 in 2024. This suggests that commercial areas were increasingly targeted, possibly due to higher vehicle density, but like other locations, theft rates decreased significantly in 2024.

Apartments:

• Auto thefts at Apartment complexes increased from 301 in 2022 to 391 in 2023, before dropping to 163 in 2024. This pattern mirrors the overall trend and indicates that despite being relatively low, apartments still present a target for auto thieves.

Other Locations:

• The category labeled Other includes miscellaneous locations, with 344 thefts in 2022, rising to 526 in 2023, then decreasing to 194 in 2024. This suggests a wide range of other venues where auto thefts occur, likely parking lots, shopping centers, etc.

Educational Institutions:

• The lowest theft rates were consistently at Educational locations, with 8 thefts in 2022, 14 in 2023, and 5 in 2024. The low numbers could be due to better surveillance and controlled access in these environments.

Transit Areas:

• Transit locations (such as bus stops or train stations) also recorded low but stable numbers, with 31 thefts in 2022, slightly increasing to 35 in 2023, and dropping to 12 in 2024.

Conclusion

The rise in auto thefts, particularly in high-risk areas, leads to increased insurance premiums as insurers adjust to cover the higher risk of claims. Having accurate and detailed theft data is crucial for insurance companies; it allows them to better assess risks, price premiums appropriately, and offer targeted policies that can help mitigate losses.

By leveraging accurate data, insurers can stay ahead of trends, reduce fraud, and provide more tailored coverage to their customers.

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