Losses From Auto Theft Claims Have Tripled Since 2015
Auto theft claims rates and losses in Canada continue to soar well above historical levels, according to new data released by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
Although claims counts and losses declined in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, IBC sees a concerning problem: over the past decade, losses have tripled, increasing from just over $120 million in the first half of 2015 to more than $360 million in the first half of this year.
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Claims Counts |
Claims Losses |
|
|
First Half of 2015 |
8,567 |
$120,464,773 |
|
First Half of 2024 |
17,595 |
$547,772,301 |
|
First Half of 2025 |
12,887 |
$361,542,076 |
|
Change from H1 2015 to H1 2025 |
50% |
200% |
|
Change from H1 2024 to H1 2025 |
-27% |
-34% |
The worst year, however, was 2023, when claims losses nationwide amounted to some $1.5 billion.
More Needs to Be Done
Rising auto theft rates in the last 10 years have put pressure on drivers’ insurance premiums in addition to compromising public safety and causing Canadians concern and trauma.
“We applaud recent legislative actions taken by the federal government to strengthen border security and make bail and sentencing laws tougher for repeat and violent offenders, including those charged with violent vehicle theft,” says Liam McGuinty, Vice-President of Federal Affairs at IBC. “While measures like these have been showing signs of success, the federal government must keep the pedal down in the fight against auto theft.”
IBC is calling on the federal government to continue implementing the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, a key component of which is modernizing and updating the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to make cars harder to steal.
“One of the forces contributing to the decade-long increase in auto thefts is that vehicles have become easier to steal, reflecting the outdated nature of the safety standards,” it says.
The Liberals must also fulfill their platform commitment to strengthen the Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to prevent stolen vehicles from leaving the country. Expanding and modernizing the Interprovincial Record Exchange is also critical to improve data-sharing with provincial registries and close vehicle registration loopholes that enable theft.
