How to Help Prevent Car Theft

Did you know, in 2022 a car was stolen every 5 minutes in Canada? ¹ Over the past five years, the upward trend of car thefts across the country, has put many Canadians on high alert—and looking for ways to help protect their vehicles.

Although all automakers must adhere to the federally regulated anti-theft deterrent standards introduced in 2007², these regulations don't necessarily cover some of the more modern features that we've come to expect from new cars—features like wireless start and keyless, push-to-start ignition.

Investing in the latest anti-theft technology can help make your car a less appealing target for potential theft. In this article, we'll share some ways to help ensure your car is protected and introduce some of the different anti-theft systems and devices available on the market today.

You may be feeling alarmed by the recent car theft trends in Canada, but fortunately, you can take a proactive approach when it comes to deterring car thieves. From making your car less visible or appealing to installing an anti-theft system, there are several things you can do to help keep your car safe.

Think of the following tips as "theft prevention habits"—making them a part of your regular routine can help reduce the risk of a thief targeting your vehicle in the first place:

• Keep your vehicle locked at all times.  It's a good idea to make a habit of keeping your vehicle locked—even if you're only stepping away from it temporarily.
• Never leave your keys in an unattended car. Leaving your keys in the car, even for a moment, gives thieves a quick and easy opportunity to take off with it. 
• Keep valuables out of sight. Always hide or remove valuables in your car—even small items like loose change—to reduce the risk of a break-in. 
• Maintain your car's anti-theft system. A properly working anti-theft system can be a strong deterrent for would-be thieves.
• Park in your garage. Keep your car parked in your garage if you have one. This will make your car less visible (and less of a target) for car thieves, plus it adds another barrier they must pass before they can get to your vehicle. 
• Keep your home's exterior well-lit. Good lighting, especially around your parking spot, makes it harder for car thieves to approach unnoticed.

Implementing these tips is the first step you can take to keep your car safe from criminals. But there's even more you can do to help prevent your car from being stolen.

Today's car thieves have greater access to more high-tech break-in equipment—which means you may want to consider installing an after-market anti-theft system or device to reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen:  

• Anti-theft tracking system. Equipped with GPS technology, these tracking systems let you monitor your car's location in real-time, helping law enforcement recover your car more quickly if it's stolen. 
• Electronic engine immobilizer. These devices electronically disable your car's engine if an unauthorized key or key fob is used, making your car inoperable. 

Be sure to have these anti-theft systems or devices professionally installed — and if your car is still under warranty, don't forget to check with your dealership and/or leasing or financing company to make sure the installation of the device doesn't affect your warranty coverage.

If you're insured with TD Insurance, protecting your vehicle with an anti-theft system could also save you money. TD Insurance customers are eligible for an Anti-Theft Discount³ 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):

Ontario (effective September 2nd, 2024)

• Tracking systems: TAG Tracking, KYCS Locate (by Sherlock) and Vinlock/Domino
• Engine Immobilizers: Autowatch Ghost 2, IGLA and Viper

Quebec (effective September 16th, 2024)

• Tracking systems: TAG Tracking, KYCS Locate (by Sherlock) and Vinlock/Domino

All other Provinces, including Alberta, Nunavut, Northwest and Yukon Territories

• Tracking systems: TAG Tracking, KYCS Locate (by Sherlock) and Vinlock/Domino
• Engine Immobilizers: Autowatch Ghost 2, IGLA and Viper Intensive engraving
• Find out how Canadians can save money on car insurance with TD Insurance.

In addition to an anti-theft tracking system or an engine immobilizer, consider rounding out your anti-theft protection with other devices. These include:

• Key fob protectors. Protecting your key fob with a signal-blocking pouch or case helps to prevent thieves from using signal-boosting technology to unlock your car.
• Steering wheel locking devices. This simple device acts as a highly visible deterrent, as thieves tend to avoid cars with steering wheel locks because they're difficult to remove.

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.

Start by keeping your key fob in a key fob protector such as a Faraday bag when you're not using it, so thieves can't scan or otherwise steal your car's signal. You can also place your fob far from doors and windows, to reduce the risk of the signal being intercepted.

Here are other safeguards you can implement to help prevent unauthorized keyless entry:

• Disable your fob. If this option is available to you, consider disabling the keyless entry function at night, when you don't need it.
• Reprogram your fob. Many cars also offer owners the option to reprogram their fobs to work only when the fob's button is pressed.
• Keep software updated. Make sure your car's software is up to date to help prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities.

Yes! Cameras are a helpful component in home security systems, and it's no different when it comes to security for your car.

Car cameras are very useful when you're driving, but they can also offer protection when your vehicle is parked. Many dash cams come with a parking mode that automatically starts recording when movement is detected, so you can monitor your car 24/7. Plus, having a camera visible inside your car can make potential car thieves think twice about breaking into your vehicle.

You may also want to consider a camera with cloud storage—if your car does get stolen, the footage captured and uploaded by the dash cam could help law enforcement find your car. Other useful features to look for in a car camera include a wide-angle lens and the ability to get real-time alerts on your phone if the camera detects suspicious activity.

External cameras positioned around your home can do more than help protect your house from break-ins: Placing cameras near your driveway or garage helps to discourage car thieves from targeting your parked vehicle. And many security camera systems offer advanced features like wide-angle lenses, motion detection, and night vision, so you can get full and reliable footage both day and night.

Another bonus? If you have a TD Insurance home policy, installing external cameras might make you eligible for an additional discount. Contact a TD Insurance Advisor for details.

A car alarm can be a helpful addition to your car security measures, but they shouldn't be the only protective measure you rely on. Car alarms use sensors to detect suspicious activity, like your car door being forced open. When triggered, the alarm gives off a loud sound to draw attention to your vehicle and hopefully scare off would-be car thieves.

In many cases, a car alarm can be effective in preventing theft, but they're not foolproof. An experienced thief, for example, might know how to disable the alarm, or may choose to ignore the noise if they think nobody is around to pay any attention.

In the unfortunate event your car has been stolen or broken into, contact your local police station to file a police report.

If you're a TD Insurance customer and have Comprehensive, Specified Perils, or All Perils Coverage on your insurance policy, you can also contact us to start a claim. With 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. Login to MyInsurance to review your coverage.

To help prevent car theft, layer your security. For example, take basic steps such as always locking your doors, never leaving your keys in your car, and parking in well-lit areas, and combine these measures with the installation of an acceptable after-market anti-theft system or device such as a GPS tracker or engine immobilizer.

A kill switch helps protect your car from thieves by disabling your fuel or ignition system. To start your car, you have to flip the hidden switch—making it difficult for a thief to drive off in your car unless they know exactly where the switch is hidden. But if your car is still under warranty, make sure you check with your dealership for any potential impact the installation might have on your warranty.

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.