Top 10 Costliest Ontario Cities for Auto Theft Claims

Insurance claims for replacing stolen vehicles cost surpass $1 billion in the province

How do claims related to stolen vehicles in Ontario impact drivers and insurance companies?

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released a list of the Top 10 costliest cities for auto theft claims. According to newly released data, these types of claims costs have surged by a record-shattering 524% across Ontario since 2018, with auto theft claims costs surpassing $1 billion for the first time in 2023. The increase in auto theft led IBC to identify the top 10 affected cities in Ontario and prompted the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft.

The data released by the IBC serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address this growing problem and protect drivers from the consequences of auto theft, such as increasing rates for auto insurance in Ontario.

Here is a look at the costs of claims for vehicle theft in the province.

What you need to know about Ontario’s top costliest cities for auto theft:

In Ontario, auto theft claims costs increased by 524% between 2018 and 2023, surpassing $1 billion for the first time in 2023.
Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga top the list for costliest claims.
Whitby, Pickering, and Milton saw over a 1,000% increase in claim costs for theft.

Top 10 costliest cities in Ontario for auto theft claims

These cities have borne the brunt of the financial burden caused by auto theft, with escalating insurance claims and associated costs. The escalating car insurance claims and associated costs due to auto theft have caused a significant financial burden on certain cities, as published by IBC.

City	2023 Auto Theft Claims Cost	Increase from 2018 (%)
Toronto	$371,815,072	561%
Brampton	$93,186,518	719%
Mississauga	$89,980,735	533%
Vaughan	$62,443,717	789%
Markham	$43,633,553	989%
Ottawa	$41,304,357	513%
Oakville	$30,797,587	874%
Richmond Hill	$19,978,117	170%
Hamilton	$19,978,117	170%
London	$13,823,739	215%

IBC analysis based on industry data from GISA systems.

Top 10 Ontario cities by increase in auto theft claims costs (2018 to 2023)

The most expensive auto theft claim costs are typically found in Ontario's largest cities, but a few mid-sized cities have also seen dramatic increases:

City	2023 Auto Theft Claims Cost	Increase from 2018 (%)
Whitby	$12,145,932	2,269%
Pickering	$10,653,759	1,228%
Milton	$11,976,316	1,010%
Markham	$43,633,553	989%
Oakville	$30,797,597	874%
Richmond Hill	$25,672,053	812%
Ajax	$13,159,562	807%
Vaughan	$62,443,717	789%
Clarington	$5,810,278	744%
Brampton	$93,186,518	719%