Toronto, Ontario -- Auto theft losses in Canada continue to sit far above historical norms, even as early 2025 numbers show modest improvement over last year, according to new data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
National auto theft claims for the first half of 2025 dropped to 12,887, down 27 percent from the 17,595 recorded during the same period in 2024. Claims losses fell 34 percent year over year, landing at $361,542,076 compared to more than $547 million last year.
Despite that short-term relief, the long-term trend remains troubling. Over the past decade, auto theft losses have doubled — from just over $120 million in the first half of 2015 to more than $360 million in the first half of 2025. Claims counts over the same period climbed 50 percent.
“IBC and its members applaud recent legislative actions taken by the federal government to strengthen border security and make bail and sentencing laws tougher for repeat and violent offenders, including those charged with violent vehicle theft,” said Liam McGuinty, vice-president, federal affairs, IBC. “While measures like these have been showing signs of success, the federal government must keep the pedal down in the fight against auto theft.”
McGuinty said collaboration between law enforcement, insurers, governments and drivers is beginning to show progress, but added that “more needs to be done.”
IBC is calling on all levels of government to continue advancing the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, including modernizing the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and tightening border enforcement. The organization also supports efforts to expand the Interprovincial Record Exchange to improve data-sharing and close registration loopholes that enable theft.
