The surge of auto theft in Canada has subsided – at least for now.

In its First Half of 2024 Auto Theft Trend Report, Équité Association, Canada’s national authority on insurance crime, reported auto thefts in the first half of the year dropped by 17% from the same period in 2023.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insurance claims for replacing stolen vehicles in Canada reached a record $1.5 billion in 2023, breaking the previous record of $1.2 billion set in 2022.

The Équité report said the current decline is the result of the collaborative efforts of the insurance industry, federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and Canada Border Service Agency, which include government investments, increased CBSA operations, law enforcement collaboration and public awareness.

“We’re seeing some early signs of progress in cracking down on auto theft, thanks to the measures implemented, but there’s no room for complacency,” Équité Association vice president of investigative services Bryan Gast said. “The momentum established in the first half of 2024 has been critical in identifying impactful solutions.

“Public Safety Canada’s leadership in hosting the National Summit on Combating Auto Theft, and its subsequent National Action Plan on Combating Auto Theft have been significant contributors. Those collective efforts are starting to reduce auto theft and the financial flow into organized crime, reversing the concerning trends of recent years. However, truly ensuring the safety of Canadian communities will require a sustained commitment toward preventing vehicle theft altogether.”

The report showed Quebec had the greatest decrease in auto thefts in the first half of 2024, down 36% year-over-year, followed by Ontario (14%) and Western Canada (10%). Thefts in Atlantic Canada actually increased by 11%, which Équité attributed to the strong measures taken in Ontario and Quebec forcing thieves to move to other provinces.

Nationally, SUVs were the most stolen type of vehicle through the first half of the year with 11,165 thefts – 39% of all vehicles stolen. Trucks were next with 8,398 thefts, followed by cars (7,539) and vans (1,448).

“To continue the national decrease in auto theft, there must be a shift from recovering stolen vehicles to preventing vehicles from being stolen in the first place,” Équité Association president and CEO Terri O’Brien said. “Several auto manufacturers have registered anti-theft technology patents.

“By utilizing simple and effective technology that has already been developed and patented, manufacturers have the ability, right now, to mitigate vehicle theft and prioritize public safety.”

For more on the vehicle theft crisis in Canada, listen this episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast, which includes a Canada’s Used Car Week keynote presentation from CARFAX Canada president Shawn Vording, titled, “Hot Wheels and Cold Sweats: Navigating the Wild World of Vehicle Theft.”