Most and least stolen cars
DriverSense.com - Stephanie Bonnoto
Want to know how likely your car is to be stolen over another? Those at the top of the list of thieves’ favourites may surprise you.
If you have ever been a victim of car theft you know that it is a frustrating, violating feeling and you are helpless to do anything about it, but did you know that the car you drive might leave you more vulnerable to thieves? If you are intrigued, read on to see if your car falls on the list of the most or least stolen cars in Canada and how it affects your insurance premiums, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
The Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles
The results, taken from the end of 2008 may surprise you, given that the vehicles range from luxury to average to ‘why would anyone want to steal that’.
1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4-door
1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door
1995 Acura Integra 2-door
2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster
2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
1995 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager
1995 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD
1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
The Insurance Bureau of Canada claims that individuals steal less expensive cars because they are easier to steal and tend not to have alarm systems. They also say that organized crime groups tend to steal the more expensive cars to use them for parts or to ship them overseas to sell and make money that way.
The Top 10 Least Stolen Vehicles
(tie 4th) 2000 Ford/Mercury Taurus/Sable Wagon
(tie 4th) 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-door 2WD
(tie 4th) 2003 Buick Regal 4-door
(tie 4th) 2005 Buick Terraza EXT
(tie 3rd) 1999 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
(tie 3rd) 2001 Toyota Avalon 4-door
2007 Chevrolet Impala 4-door
(tie 1st) 2001 Lincoln Town Car 4-door
(tie 1st) 2002 Lincoln Continental 4-door
(tie 1st) 2003 Cadillac Deville 4-door
None of the aforementioned vehicles have any special quality. Perhaps this is why they are so low on thieves’ radar. It is also interesting to note how the vehicles all tie for certain spots on the list instead of fitting nicely in numeric sequence. All of this is pure speculation on my part, as I have no way of knowing how or why thieves choose certain vehicles to steal and prefer to leave others alone. The Insurance Bureau of Canada gives their reasons for the most stolen vehicles, but has no answers for why these vehicles are the least stolen in Canada.
What This Means For Your Insurance
The portion of your auto insurance that covers theft also covers fire and vandalism and is called the comprehensive premium. For the most stolen vehicle, the 2000 Honda Civic (in 2005 as well as 2008), an example of this premium is $141. Compare that to the least stolen vehicle, the Ford Taurus (in 2005) and the premium is just $36 (quotes are based on a 30-year-old male driver with a clean driving record in a 2005 study reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada).
Does this mean that no one should be driving a Honda Civic and everyone should be driving a Ford Taurus? Absolutely not. All it means is that consumers should do their homework when shopping for car insurance so that they are not paying a fortune to drive the car they want. As with many other things, premiums can vary a great deal depending on the insurance company and it is best to check out as many different companies as possible to find the best rates. However, if it is car thieves that you are worried about, simple things such as installing a car alarm system or having a panic button on your key chain are good ideas that will help to keep both you and your car safe.
Be Aware
The Insurance Bureau of Canada publishes a new list of the top ten most and least stolen vehicles at the end of each year. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle and this list matters to you at all, visit their website annually for a current list. Or check to see if your vehicle has made the list. Take it for what it is, a cautionary sign that your vehicle is more attractive to thieves and a reason to be extra careful.??Photo:
Túrelio, Wikimedia Commons
Sources:
IBC.ca
Kanetix.ca