Our modern cars are a far cry from the clunkers of past decades. Safer, less fuel hungry and much more reliable, they’re also brimming with new technology, including wireless keys. But it turns out, those wireless keys may mean our cars are EASIER to steal than they used to be.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) just released its list of the most stolen cars in Quebec this year, and it prominently features SUVs from 2015 and newer. As it turns out, this may be in part because new electronic key technology is making thieves’ lives easier!
Indeed, car thieves are thought to be getting more organized and more sophisticated in their methods. It used to be common for thieves to steal cars with nothing but a set of tools and some electrical know-how. Nowadays, thieves use computers and radio devices to pirate the radio frequency ID emitted by car owners’ keys.
The ten most stolen vehicles in Quebec (2018):
- 2017 Acura MDX 4DR 4WD.
- 2015 Toyota 4Runner 4DR 4WD.
- 2017 Honda CR-V 4DR AWD.
- 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4DR 4WD.
- 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4DR 4WD.
- 2017 Honda Pilot 4DR 4WD.
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4DR 4WD.
- 2016 Honda Pilot 4DR 4WD.
- 2015 Toyota Prius V 5DR.
- 2016 Toyota Prius V 5DR.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada
Nationwide, car theft was up 6% in the past year (7% in Quebec). Ford’s F-series trucks – specifically, the F-350 – were found to be the most commonly stolen vehicles.
Usually, stolen cars are either broken down and sold for parts or shipped overseas and sold as whole units. And with many markets in other parts of the world short on their supply of SUVs, it’s thought that the SUVs stolen from Quebec drivers often end up in one piece, overseas.
Although it may be hard to prevent a car theft in some circumstances, there are a few habits you can take to prevent your car from being stolen – and even if it is stolen, there are things you can do to minimize the impact of the theft on your personal identity, your insurance rates, and more.
According to the IBC, you should always do the following:
- Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
- Park in closed garages where available, or in well-lit areas.
- Always close the windows and lock the doors.
- Keep valuables and packages out of sight. Remove them from your vehicle whenever possible.
- Don't leave personal information (licence, registration, insurance, etc.) in the glove box.
- If your car is stolen, report the theft to police immediately.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada
Most of all, be careful on the roads this Holiday season! Not only is it a dangerous time for road accidents, but to top things off, the IBC says the worst day of the year for theft is January 1st, New Year’s Day. It makes sense: most of us want to sleep in, and we often leave gifts and other valuables in our cars… So be smart about it this year, and don’t start 2019 off on the wrong foot!