GTA residents sounding the alarm bell on auto thefts

It’s natural to worry about your car – it’s an expensive, personal and depreciating asset. In some areas of Canada, that concern may be doubly justified. New data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) confirms Ontario remains in the midst of an auto theft crisis, with the number of insurance claims up 165% since 2017 and the costs to service those claims up a staggering 538%.

As well, according to a new Pollara Strategic Insights poll commissioned by IBC, 63% of GTA residents live in fear of their vehicle being stolen and more than half (56%) reporting that the crisis is affecting their community.

"We still have a long way to go to effectively curb auto theft in the province," Amanda Dean, IBC vice-president, Atlantic and Ontario, said in a statement. "The Ontario and federal government's efforts to tackle auto theft are both commendable and were reflected in the decline in claims costs in 2024. But the crisis persists and requires continued leadership and focus."

Auto theft in the GTA

Auto theft in the Greater Toronto Area isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s become a full-blown crisis. From rising insurance costs to growing community concerns, the impact is hitting drivers hard, especially in urban and suburban pockets across the region.

A recent report from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) paints a stark picture:

• 76% of Ontarians believe the province is in the midst of an auto theft crisis
• In the GTA, 63% of residents are worried a vehicle they own, co-own or lease could be stolen
• Concern is especially high among younger drivers, with 75% of people aged 18 to 34 saying they're worried about vehicle theft, compared to 67% of those aged 35 to 54, and 52% of drivers over 55
• More than half (56%) say auto theft is affecting their local community

And the numbers back it up. In 2017, there were 7,693 auto theft-related insurance claims in Ontario, totalling just over $113 million. By 2025, that figure skyrocketed to 20,418 claims, with a total cost of nearly $725 million.

Insurers are responding, but the scale of the issue is daunting.

"Ontario's insurers have taken steps to address the crisis and we look forward to supporting the federal government's recently announced Strong Borders Act as it follows through with its recent commitments to add 1,000 new Canada Border Services Agency officers to manage additional border scanners, drones and new canine teams for Canada's land borders, ports and railyards," said Dean.

For drivers, the financial implications are clear: More theft means higher premiums, and in some cases, more stringent policy conditions. It also means extra caution — installing anti-theft devices, choosing parking locations wisely and keeping insurance policies current.

Because for GTA drivers, protecting your vehicle is no longer just a precaution, it's a necessity.

Survey methodology

Pollara Strategic Insights conducted the online survey from April 23 to 29 among 1,126 adult GTA residents. The data set has been weighted by age, gender and region to ensure it accurately represents the demographic and geographic distribution of this population.