Two Quebec auto insurers are seeking approximately $71 million from Toyota Canada, Honda Canada and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Canada because of security flaws in certain vehicles the insurers allege make theft easier.
Beneva and L’Unique General Insurance filed the action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of Quebec on April 13. The insurers allege the automakers knew for years that some vehicle anti-theft systems could be defeated, but did not take reasonable steps to address the issue.
The claim has not been proven in court. Toyota Canada, Honda Canada and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Canada are contesting the action, according to documents reviewed by Insurance Portal at the Quebec City courthouse.
Beneva is seeking about $56.3 million, while L’Unique is seeking about $14.6 million. The insurers say the amount is tied to 2,111 theft claims over a three-year period, and could rise as more thefts occur. The insurers are also seeking interest, additional indemnities and court costs.
The insurers allege the thefts were linked to weaknesses in anti-theft systems that allowed vehicles to be stolen with “alarming ease.” The claim focuses on vehicles from Toyota, Honda and Fiat Chrysler, now part of Stellantis.
The case comes as auto theft remains a major cost pressure for Canadian insurers and drivers. Insurance Bureau of Canada data shows auto theft claims fell in 2025, but remained well above historical levels. Nationally, theft claims dropped 24% from 2024 to 2025, while the value of claims fell 30%. The value of theft claims still reached $724 million in 2025, up from $269 million 10 years earlier.
“Auto theft is trending in the right direction after two years of concerted action, but the job is far from done,” said Liam McGuinty, vice-president, federal affairs, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “This is exactly the moment for governments to keep their foot on the gas and push these numbers down further.”
In Ontario, IBC said auto theft claims costs reached $485 million in 2025, down from $723 million in 2024. However, theft-related claims in the province were still up 97% from 2017, while losses were up 330%.
“While IBC applauds the efforts of provincial and municipal governments, law enforcement and insurers in helping to curb the auto theft crisis, there is still more work to be done by all stakeholders,” said Amanda Dean, vice-president, Ontario and Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “Ending auto theft requires a sustained, coordinated and whole-of-society approach.”
