Did you know that every year in Canada, about 39,000 vehicles are stolen and there are 40,000 thefts of personal contents from vehicles?* Assurances Groupe Vézina has prepared some tips on how you can avoid being part of these statistics and what to do in the event of theft.

7 tips for reducing the risk of theft of your vehicle or its contents

1. Never leave your vehicle unattended if the motor is running.
2. Always lock the doors, even if you won’t be gone long: it only takes seconds to steal.
3. Park in well-lit, secure parking lots.
4. If you must leave property in your unattended vehicle, secure it in the trunk or hide it.
5. Don’t put your name and address on your key chain.
6. Never hide a key on or in your vehicle: all experienced thieves know that old trick.
7. Check with your insurance broker if your vehicle is one of the most often stolen. If so, get advice on recommended anti-theft protection system for your type of vehicle.

Do you know what to do if your car is stolen?

Having your car or its contents stolen could be a shock, but you need to act quickly. Here’s a summary of what to do.

In the event of auto theft (vehicle and content)

• Notify the tracking system provider, if you have this system installed on your vehicle.
• Immediately call the police and save the police report number.
• Keep bills and receipts for any additional driving expenses.
• Immediately call your insurance broker to report the theft.

In the event of theft of your vehicle’s contents

• Immediately call the police and save the police report number.
• If the thief damaged your car, avoid aggravating the damage. Have urgent repairs done by a specialist and keep the receipts.
• Immediately call your insurance broker to report the theft of your property.

* Source : Insurance Bureau of Canada and Groupement des assureurs automobile