Lorraine Explains: Quebec auto tracker rules are pushing thieves to Ontario

Article content

“Almost 600 cars stolen since Christmas in Mississauga and Brampton,” hollers the headline. In the first week of the year alone, 95 were stolen. At the time of this report, only 11 had been considered solved. If you wake up and find your driveway empty, these figures let you know pretty much how this is going to play out. The bad guys are winning, and winning big. If your vehicle’s a popular one with thieves, get ready to be required to install an aftermarket tracker. 

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Lorraine Explains: Quebec auto tracker rules are pushing thieves to Ontario Back to video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Effective in 2007, Canada mandated that all cars include anti-theft immobilizing systems. By refusing to allow someone to start the car if it didn’t recognize a chip in the key, it was meant to thwart thieves who would steal a car without the key, ie. by hotwiring.

The government release at the time stated that, “theft of vehicles by young offenders in particular is a serious problem.” Law enforcement today just wishes that were the problem.

According to The Équité Association, a national non-profit that helps insurers fight theft and fraud, “Canada is rapidly becoming a source country for exporting “a tremendous amount of stolen vehicles. They’re being used as crime platforms — car bombs, trafficking, terrorism, and drug smuggling.” That statement is terrifying, and costly.

Ontario and Quebec are vulnerable to organized vehicle theft because of their proximity to the port in Montreal. Huge cargo containers can’t all be checked, so vehicles sporting licence plates from both provinces frequently show up in places from Sierra Leone to Russia. Bryan Gast, Vice-President of Investigative Services for Équité informs me that these are trophy plates. If you’re wondering why your insurance premiums keep going up, this has become an increasingly prominent reason. 

Global shortages of vehicles and parts continue, and the demand for both keeps rising. 

Some insurance carriers are piloting programs to test the impact of using the TAG program, a system that has “trained technicians install multiple, difficult to locate tracking devices throughout a vehicle. In the event of a theft, these devices can be tracked anytime, anywhere in North America.” Etchings on the driver’s and passenger’s window warn potential thieves that they will have little success with a vehicle sporting this system.

“I’m told Quebec had the highest theft ratio in the country and the Quebec government implemented mandatory installation of the TAG system for certain targeted vehicles,” says broker Debbie Arnold of Sound Insurance. “If the insured did not install TAG, their comprehensive premium would be prohibitive. Since it’s under $500 to install, it just makes sense.” Once it’s installed, there are no additional fees. These are recent revelations and we’ll be following Quebec’s theft numbers closely to see if their program sets a standard for other provinces.

Much of the theft prevention advice you read is designed to encourage a thief to move along. But because they can easily thwart the technology that many of us believe keeps our car locked and safe, authorities are back to recommending deterrents like the classic steering-wheel club, a visible — if clumsy — heavy bar that physically locks the steering wheel. Sure they could cut through it, but they’re more likely to head to a vehicle that will save them time. 

If insurers get strict about requiring owners to implement something like the TAG tracking system on the most vulnerable vehicles, will it shut down car theft? In theory, maybe. Teslas are said to be basically unstealable, and high-tech electric vehicles in general see fewer thefts, as they’re usually parked inside or close to a building, proving that the latest software can introduce unpalatable hurdles. But auto theft is like a river: put in an obstacle, the water flows in another direction and carries on.

Until a few years ago, older pickup trucks dominated most stolen lists. They were easy to steal. Once thieves figured out how to hack into new cars, they became the target. If Quebec successfully protects its most-stolen vehicles, look for higher theft rates in other provinces — especially Ontario — to fill the overseas orders.  

Insurers are taking notice. “If a vehicle is identified as “highly targeted,” we receive a message on our quoting system from some providers that we need to discuss anti-theft measures with the client and note the application accordingly,” says Arnold. She says there are some pilot programs by insurance companies installing the TAG system for free, but my guess is that if manufacturers aren’t providing enough at the build level and insurance companies are trying to staunch the bleeding, it will be you and I who will be paying for these systems. 

While most governments are loath to mandate anything (hello, winter tires?), look for insurers to do the groundbreaking in this area. “One client had three Land Rovers stolen; one in September, one in February and another in April. Only one was recovered, and it was found in Montreal about to be shipped overseas,” says Arnold. I’d like to see the sales stats on frequently stolen vehicles if three sales were actually one being replaced two more times. We’re all paying for those stolen Land Rovers through our premiums. 

Some people put Apple AirTags on their cars, though thieves can override those as well. Privacy concerns are also still an issue if it’s not you tracking your car, but someone else tracking you.

Peruse the most-stolen vehicle lists for your province, decide if something like the TAG system would be a wise investment, and know your insurer might soon be requiring it. “Insurers won’t authorize a rental vehicle for 72 hours in case the vehicle is recovered,” Arnold reminds you. “We all pay for the increase in theft. It will continue to increase in current market conditions. Authorities are working on this issue with border agencies, the IBC and insurers. It is so stressful for a client dealing with a car theft. It’s traumatic having someone invade your private space, let alone the inconvenience.”