Coming outside to discover your vehicle is not where you left it is a frustrating experience no vehicle owner should have to face. Yet, the fact remains that more than 78,000 Canadian drivers had such an experience between 2015 and 2016 according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). To help minimize the number of auto theft cases and put certain vehicle owners on high alert, the IBC publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles.
Here are the vehicles that made the list for 2017.
1. 2015 Lexus GX460 4-Door AWD SUV
2. 2007 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
3. 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
4. 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
5. 2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
6. 2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
7. 2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
8. 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4-Door 4WD SUV
9. 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
10. 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
If your vehicle is on this top 10 list, there are steps you can take to make it less of a target for thieves. The IBC recommends that you:
– Never leave your vehicle running while it’s unattended.
– Always park in places that are well lit.
– Close your sunroof and windows and lock your doors whenever you park your vehicle.
– Store valuables and packages out of plain sight, preferably in the trunk.
– Keep your car in the garage at night.
– Don’t leave personal information in the glove box. Take your insurance and ownership documents with you when you park your vehicle.
Keep in mind that it takes less than one minute to steal the average vehicle. Thieves are looking for easy targets, so following these tips will go a long way in making your vehicle a less attractive option.
In the unfortunate incident that your vehicle is stolen despite your best efforts to keep it safe, call the police immediately. To make it easier for the police to recover your vehicle, you should be able to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), registration, license plate number and driver’s license information. Tip: Keep this information in your smartphone so you can access it quickly.
After you file a police report, don’t forget to contact your insurance broker to let them know your vehicle has been stolen. Informing your broker can help protect you in case your vehicle is used to cause harm or damage after the theft.
Safeway Insurance and Financial Services is a division of Garvin-Mark Insurance Brokers Ltd.
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