Auto theft claims cost Canadian insurance companies $1.5 billion in 2023, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. With inflation, increased vehicle prices, and rising auto insurance rates, it’s more important than ever to be aware of your risk for car theft and take action to deter thieves.

If you’re wondering whether your vehicle is a hot commodity for thieves, take a look at Équité Association’s list of the most stolen vehicles for Canada and your region, based on 2023 data:

Équité Association’s most frequently stolen vehicles by region

Is your vehicle at the top of car thieves’ shopping lists? Find out and take some simple steps to avoid being an easy target for vehicle theft.

Which vehicles tend to be stolen the least?

There are many reasons why car thieves target certain makes and models over others. Generally, car thieves will avoid vehicles that have strong built-in anti-theft systems and are harder to steal, have a lower resale value, are in low demand overseas, or are in low supply and harder to find.

Electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrids, for example, aren’t common targets for thieves because there is lower demand for them in other parts of the world, making it difficult to resell these vehicles for a profit. There’s also a lower supply of EVs and hybrids compared to popular gas-powered vehicles, so they’re harder to find.

If you’re considering the likelihood of theft when you’re deciding which type of vehicle to purchase, you may want to keep some of these factors in mind.

How to avoid becoming a target of vehicle theft

Even if your car is on the list of least stolen vehicles , you should still take proactive measures to deter thieves and avoid car theft. Not only will these tips protect your car, but some of them could get you a discount on car insurance, too.

Install an anti-theft system to deter thieves and help you save on insurance

One of the most effective ways to protect your vehicle from thieves is to install an after-market anti-theft system, like an immobilization device or audible alarm. A stolen vehicle tracking and recovery system can help reduce your chances of becoming a target for car thieves and tracks your vehicle’s location to help with the recovery of your vehicle if it’s stolen. It could also qualify you for an insurance discount, offsetting higher premiums that may apply to high-theft vehicles.

What to do if your car is stolen

Car theft can happen even when you’ve taken all the right steps to avoid it. Reach out to your licensed car insurance broker to make sure you have the right coverage to protect you if your vehicle is ever stolen. If your car has been stolen, take these steps to start your insurance claim and get back on the road.