News

Car theft

In the past decade, Canada has become the car theft capital of North America. According to Statistics Canada, one car is stolen every three minutes. Car theft makes up more than one third of all property crimes in this country and costs consumers, police, insurance companies and the government more than $1 billion annually.

Cars in cities along the major waterways such as Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver are more likely to be stolen. This is because more than 30 per cent of stolen cars in Canada are exported to other countries. The rest are given false identification numbers and resold to unsuspecting consumers or are chopped up for parts.

Just because you drive a mid-priced, four-door sedan, don’t think it’s not a target for thieves. Economy cars are just as likely to be stolen as luxury cars. The Vehicle Information Centre of Canada reports the top three most-frequently stolen vehicles are the Hyundai Tiburon, the VW Golf, and the Acura Integra.

What does a high auto-theft rate mean for your insurance?

According to the Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau, vehicle theft costs insurers about $600-million annually. Who pays for all these costs? You do. We all do. These losses are made up through our insurance premiums.

Insurers look at where you live when they calculate your insurance premiums. If you live in an area that has a high auto theft rate, you will probably be paying a higher price for your insurance than if you lived in an area where your car was less likely to be stolen. This means that if you were moving from a small town to a large city on a waterway such as Montreal or Toronto, it would likely cost more to insure your vehicle.

Auto theft prevention

Follow these simple tips from the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada to help deter car thieves.

- Always lock your vehicle.
- Never leave your keys in an unattended vehicle. Many vehicles are regularly stolen from store parking lots and gas stations.
- Use good judgment in choosing parking locations.
- When parking at airports, and other large pay parking lots, never leave the parking claim check in the vehicle.
- Keep valuables, especially cellular telephones and laptop computers, out of sight.
- If your vehicle is equipped with a security system, make sure it is in good working order and activated. Your owner’s manual or dealership should be able to answer any questions about your system.
- Factory-installed security systems are sometimes deactivated when remote control starters are installed. If you have a remote starter, or intend to have one installed, ask your installer how it will affect your security system.

Outsmart even the craftiest car thief

Some 159,000 cars were stolen in Canada in 2006 alone, according to Statistics Canada. But there’s more to that number than just thousands of empty-handed owners. In fact, you’ve paid a price for the crime too.

“The overall cost of car theft to Canadians is a whopping $1.2 billion,” says Rick Dubin, vice president, investigative services, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). That price includes paying for police involvement, ambulance and court costs. “On average, Canadians pay an extra $40 on their auto insurance premiums for car theft.”

Auto theft can also be an aggressive and even violent crime. “Between 1999 and 2001, car theft resulted in 81 deaths and 127 serious injuries to Canadians,” Mr. Dubin says, quoting figures from The National Committee to Reduce Auto Theft. “And, today, we know that organized crime rings are highly involved in this criminal act.”

Theft prevention tips for today’s driver

More than ever, you need to get serious about safeguarding your car. Here are the IBC’s top tips to keep your car more secure.

- Get an electronic immobilizer. If your car is a 2007 or newer model, chances are it is equipped with an immobilizer. If you don’t have one, “investing in an aftermarket immobilizer is a good idea because they make your car more difficult to steal; unless, of course, a thief has managed to steal your keys,” Mr. Dubin continues. Just make sure it meets national standards.
Expert tip: For more information on immobilizers and how to choose an aftermarket one, visit the IBC webpages on immobilizers.

- Never leave your unattended car running. That includes in your driveway, garage or on the street in front of your home. On a cold winter morning, you may be tempted to leave your car to warm up before heading to work, “but this is a common time when thieves simply drive away with your vehicle,” says Mr. Dubin.

- Always lock doors and windows. Our expert advises you to get into the habit of locking up, “even if you’re leaving your car in the garage overnight.”

- Don’t leave your keys in the ignition. This may sound obvious, but according to the IBC, one in five cars is stolen this way. As for a spare key, the first place a thief will look is in the car itself — even under it. Leave it with someone you trust, instead.

- Protect your keys — even at home. “Keep your keys hidden,” says our investigative expert. “Thieves will even break into your home to steal your keys so don’t leave them in open view as in a kitchen or hallway.”

- Don’t leave valuables in your car. “You are being watched by thieves,” cautions Mr. Dubin. “Thinking your purse, wallet or laptop are safe in a locked trunk just isn’t the case anymore.”

- Park smart. “If you’re at the mall or leaving your car in a lot while you take the train or public transit to work, choose a parking spot that is well lit and busy.”

- Report insurance crime to 1-877-IBC-TIPS. “If you suspect someone of insurance crime, call the IBC’s hotline,” Mr. Dubin advises. All tips are treated in a confidential manner.

If your car is stolen

If your car is stolen, your first call should be to the police, and then take steps to report the loss to your insurer. “You’ll want to call your insurance company as soon as possible so that facts are still fresh in your mind,” says Mr. Dubin. “It’s a good idea to have a list of the contents of your car ready, since personal items are often covered under your homeowner’s policy.”

Did your car make the IBC top ten?

Every year, the Insurance Bureau of Canada releases a list of the top ten most frequently stolen cars in Canada. You may be surprised to learn that new and luxury cars don’t usually make the list since many are equipped with electronic immobilizers. Thieves find value even in older models. Here is the list for 2007:

1. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD
4. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door
5. 1994 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager
6. 1994 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager AWD
7. 1994 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager
8. 1998 Acura Integra 2-door
9. 2000 Audi TT Quattro 2-door Coupe
10. 1994 Dodge/Plymouth Shadow/Sundance 2-door Hatchback

Help create tougher penalties for car theft

“Right now, car theft is treated like a simple property offence in the Criminal Code,” explains Mr. Dubin, vice president, investigative services, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). “Basically, it equates car theft with stealing a TV or a bicycle. And that just isn’t enough of a deterrent to thieves who are making big money and threatening the safety and security of Canadians.”

Recently, a private member’s bill (Bill C-343) was tabled in the Canadian Parliament to amend the Criminal Code and make auto theft a separate offence.

As of December 2007, The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights has recommended support for the bill. “A third vote will be taken shortly and I hope the bill will get passed into law,” he says.

In the meantime, you can help pass this bill. Write to your Member of Parliament and voice your support for Bill C-343.

Best road trip rides
By John Leblanc

Firsthand road experience essential when picking your perfect Canadian road trip vehicle

A romantic weekend away for two, a month-long cross country marathon with the rug rats, or a solo run through the Maritimes chasing whales to watch — like the proverbial snowflake, no two Canadian road trips this summer will be the same.

This means making sage recommendations on “the best road trip vehicle” is a decidedly tricky proposition. Especially since spending days or weeks in the car – basically living in it – is a way different experience than a typical urban weeklong test-drive we car journalists typically report on.

Instead, I’ve culled together my favourite road trip new vehicles based on real life adventures, experiences and travels. Then, I’ve put them into categories that hopefully come close to your road trips plans this summer:

The Lone Wolf: Mazda MX-5 GX

After a few days spent bombing around British Columbia’s Okanogan Valley behind the wheel of Mazda’s latest Mia-, er, MX-5, I can safely say the two-seater makes a great road companion for solo drivers.

It is the epitome of traveling light; first off, the MX-5 starts at only at $28,195. This leaves plenty in the travel budget for maps, gas and food for the road. Even with the optional fast-folding hardtop option, trunk capacity is decent for one.

The rear-drive Mazda roadster’s 2.0-litre, 166 horsepower four-cylinder engine doesn’t sound like much. But a slick-shifting five-speed manual and feathery 1,108 kg curb weight help it scoot from rest to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, while still delivering econobox-like fuel consumption of 9.7 L/100 km city, 7.2 hwy.

In the MX-5, one will never feel alone. With surgically precise steering and rock solid yet communicative chassis, the road is always present to keep one company.

But maybe the best part of driving the Mazda alone is the ability to peel back its soft top with one hand while sitting in the driver’s seat. Cool.

Runner Up: Mini Cooper S, $29,900

Just for Two: BMW Z4 3.0si

If you, or your loved one, find the Mazda a bit too frenetic or cramped for two, jump up to BMW’s $60,900 BMW Z4 3.0si.

On a recent road trip through the Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies, the BMW two-seater was the perfect vehicle for a childless-for-a-week, stressed out pair of parents.

The BMW’s roomy and comfortable cabin, large trunk (it easily swallowed our two overnighter bags easily) and smooth-as-silk personality made for a relaxing road trip ride, whether cruising for a view or trying to make check-in time to our hotel. Its 3.0L 255 hp inline has power throughout its rev range, and the six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters is a $1,700 option) has short, accurate throws.

We even had some unexpected snow on our road trip. But no worries. We simply cranked up the heated seats, pulled back the top and let the rear-drive Z4′s stability and traction controls keep us on our route despite the car still wearing summer performance rubber.

Runner Up: Porsche Boxster S, $70,200

For Time-Distance-Speed Family: Audi RS4

OK, I’ll confess: On this road trip (a 900 km, 15 hour one-day blast across Switzerland from Geneva to Munich – via St. Moritz), I didn’t take along my two daughters or my wife.

But if I had, they would have had little to complain about my ride: a $94,200 Audi RS4 sports sedan.

With its understated, four-door sheet metal, and a bit of squinting, the hot rod Audi could easily be mistaken for a plebeian family sedan. But from the driver’s seat, all the car’s inputs – steering, throttle response from the 420 hp 4.2-litre V8, handling and braking – scream, “German touring car championship!”

If you really (really) need a four-door, all-weather road trip weapon, the RS4 has few competitors.

Runner Up: Subaru Legacy GT Wagon, $41,795

For the “take it with you” crowd : Saturn Outlook XE FWD

For some families’ summer road trip plans, a roadster or sedan just isn’t enough room for all their people and cargo. That’s when a full-size utility vehicle, like the $34,535 Saturn Outlook XE seven-seater we drove to Nova Scotia last summer was so enjoyable and practical.

Although our family of four only needed the first two rows of seating, the Outlook still had 558 litres of cargo room behind the third row. With the second row seats slid all the way back, there was limo-like leg- and headroom. More importantly, we were able to latch a child car seat into the safest position – the middle – without encroaching on our teenage daughter sitting outboard next to her younger sister.

Some may want more performance than the Outlook’s 250 hp, 3.6 L V6 provides. But that would surely be at the expense of the front-drive Saturn XE’s excellent combined consumption rating of 10.5 L/100 km.

Otherwise, as an alternative to a minivan or full-size SUV, the Saturn’s combination of excellent space utilization and fuel consumption make it a great choice for (large) road tripping families.

Runner Up: Honda Odyssey DX, $31,490

When the road ends: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Maybe your road trip plans this summer don’t involve actual roads. If so, consider Jeep’s first four-door five-passenger version of its iconic Wrangler off-roader, dubbed Unlimited. It’s a vehicle that faithfully got me across, over, and under the legendary Rubicon Trail near the California-Nevada state line.

Stretching the two-door Wrangler’s wheelbase delivers much needed second-row seating room with more overall cargo space than a Hummer H3, Nissan XTerra or Toyota FJ Cruiser. The base Wrangler Unlimited X at $25,295 comes with the traditional soft top so you can play African safari with the kids.

Okay, so a Jeep is nearly indestructible off-road and has no equals as a four-door convertible off-roading trip vehicle. No big news here. But the Unlimited’s stretched wheelbase delivers an on-road ride that’s a huge improvement over previous bone-jarring Jeeps. And with an 89-mm rear track increase, it’s even more stable at higher speeds when you decide to head back home – on a “real” road, of course.

Runner Up: Land Rover LR3 V6 SE, $57,990