More action and awareness needed to combat car theft

Press release
Published on May 7, 2024

Are you afraid of getting your car stolen? What are you doing to protect yourself from the threat? CAA-Quebec examined its members’ perceptions about the alarming car theft situation.

A survey1 of CAA-Quebec members revealed that despite the rising number of car thefts and increasing insurance premiums, 40% of respondents aren’t taking any anti-theft protection measures. The survey also showed that nearly one in two people is unaware of the discount insurers can offer on the theft portion of car insurance premiums to drivers who opt for an anti-theft solution. This highlights the urgency of raising awareness about the need to invest in your vehicle’s security.

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 “Although the authorities have a role to play, it’s also the responsibility of all drivers to reduce the risk of car theft by adopting good habits and using available methods to discourage thieves.”

– Suzanne Michaud, Vice President, Insurance

Doing more than locking your doors

Among the measures used to reduce the risk of theft, the two most popular are locking the doors (35%) and parking in a safe place (18%) (for example, a garage, well-lit area). However, the technology available to offenders and their level of organization means it’s essential to use affordable anti-theft products such as the following:

  • Faraday box or case*: A container for storing your car keys that blocks electromagnetic fields to prevent thieves from picking up the key’s signal and cloning it, enabling them to unlock and start your car. This device only costs a few dollars.
  • On-board diagnostics (OBD) port protector: A metal protective cap that prevents access to your vehicle’s OBD plug. This plug is easily accessible to thieves, who can connect to it and access the vehicle’s on-board computer.
  • Steering wheel lock*: The metal bar that can be attached to the steering wheel to prevent it from turning has been around for a long time, but it’s still effective in countering theft.

Highlights

  • 50% of respondents know someone who has had their car stolen, and 13% of those who own a vehicle have had it stolen before.
  • Underrepresented in the survey, only 18% of 18–34-year-olds plan to get an anti-theft device when buying or renting a new vehicle.
  • 81% of members agree that the rising number of stolen vehicles is increasing the price of car insurance.
  • Among those who don’t use anti-theft products, 72% would be willing to install them if it reduced their insurance premium.
  • Despite the rising number of stolen vehicles, only a quarter of members who own a vehicle are concerned about having it stolen.
  • Main reason for not being concerned about theft: 42% indicated that they own an old vehicle.
  • Reasons for being concerned about theft: 31% indicated that they own a vehicle attractive to thieves, and 28% said there’s simply been an increase in the number of thefts.

About CAA-Québec

CAA-Quebec offers a wide range of assistance services in a wide variety of sectors, drawing on a human approach. As a socially committed organization, CAA-Quebec strives on a daily basis to protect the interests of its members. And in keeping with its values of reliability and benevolence, it fosters responsible consumption and promotes road safety.

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1-This Web survey was conducted by CAA-Quebec among 1,154 members aged 18 and over between March 1 and March 10, 2024. The data was factored to reflect the demographic profile of CAA-Quebec members. As an indication, a probability sample of the same size would allow results to be extrapolated with a margin of error of +/- 2.88%.

* Available at the CAA-Quebec Boutique.