The Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles
The results, taken from the end of 2009, may surprise you, given that the vehicles range from luxury to average to “why would anyone want to steal that?” cars.
1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
3. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
4. 2006 Chevrolet/GMC Trailblazer SS 4-door 4WD
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door AWD
6. 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
7. 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2-door
8. 2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door
9. 2006 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
10. 2005 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
This list was gleaned from information obtained from the companies that write nearly 100% of all Canadian car insurance policies.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada claims that individuals steal less expensive cars because they are easier to steal and tend not to have alarm systems. They also say that organized crime groups tend to steal the more expensive cars to use them for parts or to ship them overseas to sell in areas like Ghana, Nigeria, Dubai, Lebanon, the Middle East and Eastern Europe where they are in great demand.
What This Means For Your Insurance
The portion of your auto insurance that covers theft also covers fire and vandalism and is called the comprehensive premium. For the most stolen vehicle, the 2000 Honda Civic (in 2005 as well as 2008 and 2009), an example of this premium is $141. Compare that to the least stolen vehicle, the Ford Taurus (in 2005) and the premium is just $36 (quotes are based on a 30-year-old male driver with a clean driving record in a 2005 study reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada).
Does this mean that no one should be driving a Honda Civic and everyone should be driving a Ford Taurus?
Absolutely not. All it means is that consumers should do their homework when shopping for car insurance so that they are not paying a fortune to drive the car they want. As with many other things, premiums can vary a great deal depending on the insurance company and it is best to check out as many different companies as possible to find the best rates. However, if it is car thieves that you are worried about, simple things such as installing a car alarm system or having a panic button on your key chain are good ideas that will help to keep both you and your car safe.