How to protect your vehicle against theft

Vehicle theft has spikedin Quebec and Ontario since 2022. You don’t want to become a statistic; take a look at this article to find out what you can do.

1- Think prevention first

In February 2024, the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft was held in Ottawa. The most recent information available suggests that a popular hub for stolen vehicle trafficking is the port of Montreal, from where they’re exported. Everyone is liable to become the victim of such a crime. That’s why, to curb the rise in car thefts, it’s recommended that you take preventative measures, first and foremost. Luckily, there are a number of small steps that you can take to foil a criminal’s plans.

Always lock your vehicle

First thing’s first, never leave your vehicle unattended with the keys inside or with the engine running. In the same vein, always close the windows and lock the doors, even if you’ll “only be gone for a minute.”

Avoid tempting criminals

Don’t leave any valuables, such as a cell phone or laptop, in plain sight inside your vehicle and stow your personal items in the trunk. Also, keep your insurance certificate, registration and driver’s licence on you—not in the glovebox.

Be vigilant when selling your vehicle

If you’re selling your vehicle on a classifieds website, don’t reveal your home address when discussing with a potential buyer. It’s better to meet at a neutral and safe location to let them take a test-drive.

2- Protect your smart keys

Car theft techniques have become more and more refined in the past few years. These days, car thieves don't have to smash your window or hot wire your car like in the movies.

Invest $20 in a Faraday cover

Thieves can now use an amplifier that captures the signal from your smart keys to unlock and start your car—without even breaking a sweat. To prevent this from occurring, store your smart keys in a metal case or box—a Faraday cover is designed for this exact purpose—that blocks the radio frequencies it emits. This stops criminals from intercepting or copying the signal from your keys, making theft more difficult.

Park your car strategically

If you own a second vehicle, park it behind the one that uses a smart key. This helps discourage car thieves, who wouldn’t go so far as to move the first car to get to the one they’re really after.

3- Add security devices

There are many security devices out there that help prevent car theft, including a good old fashioned club steering wheel lock. But here are a few more options, for all budgets!

An antitheft tracking system

If your vehicle is stolen, a tracking system could help you locate it in real time. This may even have a deterrent effect on criminals who will hesitate to steal your car if they suspect that they’ll be tracked from point A to point B!

An OBD port lock

This protective metal cap bars unauthorized access to your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics port and is locked with a unique key that cannot be removed otherwise, at the risk of damaging the plug. This system will foil a criminal’s attempts to connect directly to your vehicle’s on-board computer. That way, they’ll have no way of finding the code that would allow them to reprogram a smart key.

Intensive antitheft marking

Marking or etching different parts of your vehicle is a good strategy for curbing car theft. Thieves obviously prefer to target unmarked vehicles. Investing in intensive antitheft marking could even make you eligible for a discount on your auto insurance premium.

Insurance policy: am I covered in the event of theft?

When your car is stolen, your auto insurance covers the loss of the vehicle itself. But if property, such as a laptop or luggage, is stolen from your vehicle as well, it’s your home insurance that will compensate you if you make a claim.

If the same insurance company covers both your car and your home, you may only have to pay one deductible (the higher of the two) in the event of a claim for the theft of your vehicle and its contents. To make your life easier and save you money, don’t hesitate to group your auto and home insurance!