Ontario auto theft claims drop in 2025 but still near historical highs

The total cost of auto theft insurance claims in Ontario were down significantly in 2025, according to data from Insurance Bureau of Canada.

And yet, those costs are still historically high.

IBC said losses from Ontario’s auto theft claims dropped from $723 million in 2024 to $485 million last year — but that represents a 330% increase from the 2017 total. The number of auto theft-related claims is up 97% since 2017.

“While IBC applauds the efforts of provincial and municipal governments, law enforcement and insurers in helping to curb the auto theft crisis, there is still more work to be done by all stakeholders,” IBC vice president for Ontario and Atlantic Amanda Dean said. “Ending auto theft requires a sustained, coordinated and whole‑of‑society approach.”

Auto theft, which continues to be a thorny issue throughout Canada, will be a featured topic at Canada’s Used Car Week, coming up June 16-17 in Toronto. It will be addressed in sessions led by Ontario associate solicitor general Zee Hamid and Detective Sgt. Greg O’Connor of the Peel Regional Police.

IBC said Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga topped the list of Ontario cities with the highest claims costs, but several small and mid-sized communities have had the largest percentage increases since 2017, including two with jumps of more than 1,000%: Bowmanville/Clarington, up 1,261% to $2.7 million, and Whitchurch-Stouffville, up 1,014% to $1.7 million.

IBC said it continues to urge the federal government to implement the recommendations in its National Action Plan on Combating Auto Theft, including:

• Making vehicles harder to steal by finalizing proposed amendments to Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that would replace outdated vehicle immobilization standards with ones that align with the latest international requirements for theft protection.
• Adopting stronger measures to stop stolen vehicles from leaving the country, including improving oversight of Canada’s vehicle export system. Insufficient regulation and oversight, IBC said, especially of “fly-by-night freight forwarders,” have made it easy for bad actors to ship stolen vehicles out of Canada.

Top 10 Costliest Cities in Ontario for Auto Theft Claims, 2025

^{IBC analysis based on industry data from GISA systems.}

Top 10 Ontario Cities by Increase in Auto Theft Claims Costs, 2017 to 2025

^{IBC analysis based on industry data from GISA systems.}