Last updated: September 11, 2023, 12:43PM EST
With a car now being stolen every six minutes in Canada, a number of insurers are adding incentives for customers who install the Tag tracker on their vehicles. Some are paying for installation or offering discounts, while others are surcharging owners of high-theft vehicles who don’t install the Tag system or other anti-theft devices up to $500 a year.
Auto theft rates are rising across the country. Toronto saw a 300% increase in the number of cars stolen between 2015 and 2022. And in 2019, there were 17 metropolitan areas in Canada that had higher vehicle theft rates than Toronto.
To combat this growing issue, some insurance companies are offering incentives to the owners of cars and trucks that are most often stolen to help better protect the vehicles. The incentives in question centre around the Tag tracker, a Bluetooth vehicle tracking system that has proven to be effective in frustrating thieves’ efforts to circumvent traditional security systems, and returning stolen automobiles to their rightful owners.
Since the beginning of 2023, different insurers have added incentives related to the Tag tracker (and other anti-theft devices), as follows:
- Aviva and Aviva Traders – Introduced
- Free Tag installation ($400 value) for customers with high-theft vehicles residing in theft hotspots (offer expires October 1, 2023)
- Beginning October 1, 2023, there will be a $500 annual surcharge applied at renewal (or mid-policy if a high-risk vehicle is added) for customers who own high-theft vehicles and reside in theft hotspots who don’t install the Tag system
- A 20% discount off comprehensive premium for any vehicle that has installed Tag
- Chubb – Offering free Tag installation for customers in high-theft areas with high-theft vehicles (offer expires September 19, 2023) and a 10% Tag discount on comprehensive coverage
- Economical – Introduced
- Beginning September 23, 2023, there will be a $500 annual surcharge applied to premiums for customers who own high-theft vehicles and do not take advantage of the Tag Tracking system.
- Eligible customers will either qualify for a free Tag system or receive a $100 discount on installation, depending on their vehicle type. In addition, those who take advantage of the offer will benefit from the removal of the surcharge and have an Anti-Theft Discount applied.
- The Anti-Theft Discount for stolen vehicle tracking and recovery may be applied to any vehicle, high-theft or not.
- Gore Mutual – Starting November 4, 2023 for passenger vehicle, IRCA (Individually Rated Commercial Auto), and commercial auto insurance renewals, a $500 annual surcharge will apply for high-value ($125,000+) or high-theft vehicles without Tag installed
- Private passenger vehicles receive a 20% off discount for installing Tag
- Gore Mutual customers can also enjoy $100 off installation costs at Speedy Auto Glass locations in Ontario
- Intact – Introduced
- A $500 annual surcharge for customers with high-theft vehicles residing in theft hotspots who don’t install Tag (KYCS Locate or approved anti-theft technology will also remove the surcharge)
- $150 off installation of the Tag tracker (any vehicle)
- A 20% discount off comprehensive premium for any vehicle with Tag installed
- Zenith – Introduced
- Complimentary Tag installation for customers in high-theft areas with high-theft vehicles (offer expires September 17, 2023)
- A preferred Tag installation rate of $300 (25% saving) for select automobiles in specific postal codes
- A 30% Tag discount on comprehensive coverage
- CAA Insurance – Introduced a $500 annual surcharge for customers with high-theft vehicles who don’t install an anti-theft device (steering wheel lock, brake pedal lock, or wheel and tire lock)
- Jevco – Starting October 13, 2023 for renewals, a $500 high-theft risk surcharge will apply to vehicles that are considered high-risk for theft without Tag or anti-theft system Jevco approves
What makes the Tag system different?
There are quite a few different anti-theft systems available to Ontario drivers. Many insurance companies already offer discounts for customers who choose to install after-market vehicle immobilizers, which make it virtually impossible for a thief to start the car without the key or key fob.
A good tracker is an excellent second layer of security, especially for high-value vehicles that are sought after by thieves. There are other tracking devices on the market, but most are fairly easy to disable using a tool that jams the tracking signal.
The Montreal-built Tag system is jam-proof, and a number of trackers are installed throughout the car, making it more difficult for thieves to find and remove. Lastly, the Tag logo is etched into the vehicle window, letting thieves know that the car is protected.
Insurers have expressed an openness to extending the incentives to other tracking systems, but at this point they say that the Tag system is the only one with a proven track record.
Which vehicles are subject to surcharges?
The premium discounts offered by Intact, Chubb and Zenith appear to be available for any vehicle. Aviva, Chubb, Gore Mutual, Intact and CAA each have their own list of vehicles that are subject to surcharges or installation incentives as the case may be. The lists are very similar, and tend to mirror the Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Canada ranking that is compiled every fall by Équité Association. Here’s Équité Association’s most recent list:
| Rank | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honda CR-V |
| 2 | Lexus RX Series |
| 3 | Ford F150 Series |
| 4 | Honda Civic |
| 5 | Toyota Highlander |
| 6 | Ram 1500 Series |
| 7 | Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 Series |
| 8 | Honda Accord |
| 9 | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 10 | Toyota RAV4 |
| 1Équité Association – Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles | |
Protect your vehicle with the right insurance
Especially if you own a luxury vehicle, it’s important to take whatever steps you can to make sure your car doesn’t become a statistic. But ultimately, theft is just one of the many things that can happen. Speak with one of our brokers today to get quotes for an auto insurance policy that will protect you and your vehicle from whatever the future may bring. We’ll walk you through all your coverage options and make sure you get the best price available. Call today.
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