IBC finds auto theft rates in Canada still rising

Auto theft rates in Canada continue to soar, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

For the first half of 2024, Ontario saw dips of 16 per cent and Quebec was down 41 per cent in the number of theft claims. Alberta’s numbers rose one per cent, New Brunswick is up 14 per cent and Nova Scotia saw increases of 27 per cent.

The bureau believes as law enforcement invests in combatting the problem in Ontario and Quebec, more car thieves may be shifting their focus to other parts of the country.

IBC says the country saw a slight dip of 19 per cent in insurance claims for auto theft in the first half of 2024, but auto theft claims have risen 138 per cent over the past decade. The value of auto theft claims has skyrocketed by 442 per cent over that same time period.