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Written by Kayla Jane Barrie Apr 10, 2025 3 mins read

Blog Top 10 Most Expensive Cities In Ontario 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%
IBC analysis based on industry data from GISA systems.

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Resources to limit vehicle theft in Ontario

If you’re looking for options to prevent car theft, check out our top blog posts about the best anti-theft devices for cars, and learn more about the Tag car tracking system.

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Kayla Jane Barrie

Digital Content Writer

Kayla-Jane has been a content writer with ThinkInsure since 2020. She creates insurance content for auto, home, and commercial. Kayla-Jane has a diploma in Journalism.


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