How to Help Prevent Car Theft

Recently released 2025 car theft data shows trends are moving in the right direction, with an 18% decrease in thefts year-over-year—but this doesn't mean car owners can stop thinking about the risk of theft. As modern theft methods continue to advance, today's car thefts can be quick, quiet, and hard to spot in the moment, which means simply taking "basic precautions" often won't be enough to keep your vehicle safe.

This article explores how to make your car less of an appealing target to thieves by using a mix of strategies in your anti-theft plan, and takes a closer look at some of the different anti-theft systems and devices available on the market today.

Équité Association reports 46,999 private passenger vehicles stolen in Canada in 2025, with losses due to theft estimated at $900 million annually in claims costs—a useful "why this matters" number for highlighting the financial impact of car thefts.

Drilling down into the regional figures, we get a snapshot of where the volume of thefts is concentrated:
 

Vehicle finance fraud, which involves the use of false or stolen identities to obtain auto loans and insurance policies for criminal purposes, is another, significant, part of the theft picture, with Équité Association's report flagging vehicle finance fraud up by 72% year-over-year, based on stolen vehicles recovered at ports in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

It's a clear sign that many car thefts aren't just joyriding or opportunistic break-ins. With finance fraud showing up alongside stolen vehicles at export ports, this trend upward points to car thefts often being tied to wider resale and export pipelines.

Source: https://www.equiteassociation.com/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles

Many thieves use advanced methods that let them get in a targeted vehicle and drive off in a way that can look normal from a distance. So if you're picturing car theft as a window smash followed by frantic hot-wiring, you'd be missing how a lot of today's thefts happen.

A large portion of theft risk comes from technology that targets vulnerabilities in keyless systems. For example:

• Relay attacks. With this method, thieves extend the signal from a key fob to try and trick a car into thinking the fob is close enough to unlock and start it.
• Key reprogramming. The thief's goal here is to pair a new key or key-like device to a vehicle, so it accepts the new key as authorized.
• CAN injection. Thieves attempt to imitate the right in-car signals, so the vehicle responds as if the start has been properly authorized.

Not every theft is accomplished through electronic methods, though. There are still plenty of car thefts involving stolen keys taken during a break-in or grabbed from a bag or pocket, as well as thefts using methods like towing or loading a vehicle.

• Deterrence
• Drive-away prevention
• Tracking/recovery
• Environment

If you're facing budget restrictions, spend your dollars on an immobilizer-style control first because, while not foolproof, this type of anti-theft device is designed to stop your car from starting without the right key authorization. If this purchase isn't doable yet, consider implementing lower-cost prevention strategies while you save (for example, a visible deterrent you'll actually use consistently, and adopting better key/fob and parking habits).

While these three types of tools often get lumped together as "anti-theft", they each do different jobs, making them good tools to combine within an anti-theft setup. Here's what you need to know:

• Alarms work as a deterrent, by creating noise and urgency so a thief feels more exposed.

Downsides: Alarms don't physically prevent the car from being driven away; they're often ignored in busy areas.

• An immobilizer provides the most direct prevention, making it difficult for someone to drive away without the right authorization. 

Downsides: No single immobilizer is perfect for every vehicle or every theft method; they typically need to be correctly installed and consistently used.

• Trackers add a recovery layer, shortening the time between discovery of the theft to finding your vehicle.

Downsides: Trackers can be blocked, removed, or fail to work in locations where reception is weak.

Many cars have a built-in OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port, a connection point that service techs use to plug in and run tools for repairs, inspections, and diagnostics, and an OBD lock is a physical cover or lock that blocks access to this port.

OBD locks help protect against modern theft methods that involve plugging some sort of device into an OBD port to interact with a vehicle's systems. It won't stop a determined thief (and it doesn't help against methods that don't involve the OBD port), but it adds time and hassle to the theft attempt, making it a good device to pair with other prevention strategies. 

Yes, a tracker can be worth it as a recovery tool, but you need to be aware of its limitations. The main upside of a tracker is time: If you notice the theft quickly and the tracker is still reporting, you'll be able to give police and your insurer more accurate information sooner. 

But trackers can be found and removed, their signals can be disrupted with the right tools, and they don't function well in areas with poor reception. So it's smart to go with a tracker with the right expectations: It can play a role in a multi-strategy anti-theft plan by improving your odds of recovery—but it may not always work at the exact moment you need it.

It may be more old-school, but a steering wheel lock can still matter because it's visible, and it adds time to the theft attempt. Electronic methods are attractive to thieves because they're quick and low-drama, but when presented with a bright and obvious steering wheel lock, a thief skilled in high-tech approaches has to make a choice: Spend extra time removing the lock, or choose an easier vehicle to steal. This makes steering wheel locks  a good deterrent layer when combined with other anti-theft strategies. 

Keyless car thefts can happen quite quickly, but there are still steps you can take to help you stay ahead of tech-savvy car thieves. For example:

• Use a signal-blocking pouch. Devices like a Faraday bag or pouch help ·         stop thieves from scanning or otherwise stealing your car's signal.
• Disable or reprogram your fob. If this option is available to you, consider disabling the keyless entry function at night, when you don't need it, or reprogramming your fob to work only when the button is pressed.
• Keep software updated. Make sure your car's software is up to date to help prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.

Here's how to quickly test if your Faraday pouch is working:

• Place your fob inside the pouch and close it the way you normally would
• Walk up to your car and try the door handle

If you can unlock your car (or start it), your blocker isn't working. Common reasons for failure include fit and closure (pouch is too small or fob is too big) and everyday wear (for example, fraying edges or material that's worn thin).

You want to keep your fob away from exterior doors and front windows. So, for example, don't leave it on an entryway table, on a hook by the door, or inside a jacket, purse, or backpack in the foyer. A simple habit to adopt is to consistently put it in a spot deeper inside your home (and in a signal-blocking pouch or box if you have one) as soon as you get inside. 

Your ability to turn off keyless features will depend on your vehicle's make/model. The trade-off is convenience (for example, you might have to go back to pressing buttons or give up the walk-up unlock feature), but the upside is reducing the risks of certain keyless-entry theft methods.

Here's a practical default: If you're able to disable only passive entry/start, try it out for a few nights. Are you finding it a hassle to do consistently? If yes, it might be worth focusing on other habits and devices that don't depend on remembering to manually toggle settings on and off. 

• Keep your vehicle locked at all times
• Never leave your keys in an unattended car
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Maintain your car's anti-theft system
• Park in your garage
• Keep your home's exterior well-lit

The biggest wins when parking in a driveway usually come from making it less straightforward for the thief to "drive away". For example:

• Park nose-in and as close to the house as you can
• If you have multiple vehicles, block or "box in" the higher-risk car
• Consistently store your fob in a secure space away from doors and windows as soon as you get home
• Improve visibility by keeping your driveway well-lit and eliminating potential dark corners and hiding spots

If you need to park on the street, pick a spot that will make a thief feel exposed. If possible, you want a spot that has good lighting, regular foot traffic, and camera coverage (whether it's yours, a neighbour's, or a nearby business's). Try to avoid parking beside anything that could give someone cover while they work.

And when it comes to routines, be consistent in choosing lit, visible, and monitored spots, but add in some unpredictability by not always parking in the same spot at the same time. 

When parking in an underground garage, focus on what you can control: making your car a less appealing theft target than other cars. For example:

• Park in the most visible area you can (such as near the garage entrance, cameras, or the elevator)
• Avoid secluded corners even if it means choosing a less convenient spot
• Don't leave your fob or valuables in your car
• Add other anti-theft protection strategies (for example, a steering wheel lock as a visible deterrent, an immobilizer device to help block a drive-away, and a tracker to aid in recovery)

Theft protection for your vehicle is typically provided by comprehensive coverage or specified perils/all perils coverage, so if you only have the mandatory minimum coverage required by your province or territory, you might not be covered for theft. And theft of items from inside your car is typically excluded from auto policies, so check your home or tenant insurance to see if you have coverage there.

If you're insured with TD Insurance, protecting your vehicle with an after-market anti-theft system or device could save you money.

TD Insurance customers are eligible for an Anti-Theft Discount¹ on their Comprehensive, Specified Perils, or All Perils coverage premium when they have an acceptable anti-theft device professionally installed on their vehicle. Contact a TD Insurance Advisor for details.

Note that acceptable devices are limited to the following after-market options (where available):

All Provinces

• Engine Immobilizers: Autowatch Ghost 2, IGLA, Viper, and Cellutrak - Option 3 level of security : 2 Unit Ultimate Solution (Starlink + Shadow)
• Tracking systems: TAG Tracking, KYCS Locate, Vinlock/Domino, and CarRx by Elo GPS

Find out more ways Canadians can save on car insurance with TD Insurance.

In the unfortunate event your car has been stolen or broken into, contact your local police station to file a police report and, if you have a tracker installed, share the information you get from your tracker with the police and your insurance provider.

If you're a TD Insurance customer and have Comprehensive, Specified Perils, or All Perils Coverage on your insurance policy, contact us to start a claim. And with MyInsurance and the TD Insurance Mobile App, you can file a claim right from your phone, receive step-by-step guidance through the claims process, and track the status of your claim. 

If your car has been stolen, don't put yourself in danger by trying to recover your vehicle yourself. For example, don't chase or confront suspects or strangers, don't try to meet up with the vehicle, and don't enter places you don't have permission to enter.

Also, the place where your car was parked is now a crime scene, so don't disturb the area more than necessary. Taking photos is probably fine, but avoid moving debris or rummaging around for "clues".

The information you receive from your tracker should be used for reporting purposes only, so don't use it to check out locations yourself. Here's how to use this info safely:

• Share the live location and any movement history with the police (and your insurer, if they request it)
• Keep a record (take screenshots and note down timestamps) in case the tracker's signal drops
• Secure the login to your tracker account (for example, turn on two-factor authentication if possible, and change your password to a stronger one)
• Don't post tracking locations on social media or share the info in group chats

ReVINing (also known as re-VIN fraud or VIN cloning) is a tactic used by criminals to give a stolen vehicle a different "identity" by changing its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to a VIN from another vehicle or a made-up VIN.  The false VIN makes it easier to sell, register, and export the car without triggering obvious red flags.

For car buyers, the best approach is to verify first. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself from buying a stolen reVIN'ed vehicle:

• Use reputable sellers when possible (for example, registered dealerships)
• Order a vehicle history report from a reputable provider like Carfax
• Physically inspect the VIN on the vehicle to make sure it matches the paperwork (and doesn't look altered)

If you're in Ontario, know your rights as a buyer: Sellers of used cars in Ontario are legally required to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package. 

Learn more about protecting yourself from auto reVINing fraud.

If you're shopping for car insurance, get a quote online to get started. Already a TD Insurance customer and interested in optional coverage? Contact us or login to MyInsurance to learn more.

¹Not available in Atlantic Provinces