Ontario has seen a staggering rise in car thefts in recent years, with thieves now starting to travel outside of major cities to get their hands on the cars they want.

“Typically, suburban areas are targeted, and the cars are sometimes targeted early,” says Constable Sydney Jones of the Hawkesbury OPP.

“And then the thieves come back and commit the crime later, at a more opportune time, say two or three in the morning.”

Car thefts hit a record high in 2023. Last year, insurance companies paid out more than $1.5 billion in claims for damage to stolen vehicles, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Insurance expert Daniel Ivans of Rates.ca says that in an attempt to balance the payouts, some insurers are now charging owners of targeted vehicles extra before their car is even stolen. Ivans recommends that drivers look for policies that don't charge owners extra if possible. The police also have plenty of advice.

"Pull your car into the driveway, hide your keys in the house and keep them away from doors and windows, put a trunk on your car, buy a steering wheel lock," says Officer Jones.

"The more of these things you check off your checklist, the less likely your car is to be stolen."

Anastasia Chupina