Source | Jackie Beaudoin | Leclerc Assurances et Services Financiers
Did you know that 75% of stolen vehicles are destined for export abroad? According to Freddy Marcantonio, Vice-President of Business Development and Distribution at Tag (tracking systems), a new phenomenon is emerging: Vehicles are stolen in Montréal, driven to Toronto and then returned to the Port of Montréal in containers for export.
Vehicles equipped with a Tag system helped the police, the investigation division of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) dismantle a large network of exporters of stolen vehicles.
QUEBEC: A LEADER IN AUTO THEFT
Auto-theft-related fraud costs Quebec property and casualty insurers millions of dollars each fiscal year. This is a major source of concern.
The province of Quebec, which has the highest rate of auto theft in Canada, also ranks highest in the number of cases of auto-theft-related fraud. Fraud generally refers to cases in which an insurer is able to prove that a false claim has been filed; in the absence of such proof, the insured is presumed to be acting in good faith.
Although the insurance industry estimates that losses related to auto theft fraud represent about 10% of the volume of claims on average, the actual number is much higher according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
WHAT YOUR AUTO INSURANCE CONTRACT COVERS
Here’s a quick reminder of what your auto insurance policy covers: As a general rule, it covers the vehicle itself and the accessories the vehicle is fitted with or uses.
Items inside the vehicle that are not used to operate the vehicle are instead covered by home insurance (CDs, iPads, clothing, etc.).
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF THEFT
File a police report: Contact law enforcement as soon as possible. They will write up a report and give you the number.
Contact your insurer: Call your insurance company or broker as soon as possible. Provide them with the police report number.
Settlement agreement: Your insurer will replace your vehicle based on the settlement terms chosen in your insurance policy.
Payment of the indemnity: Depending on the agreement, the insurer may either pay you the indemnity or reimburse the dealer directly.
Please note that your insurer may also wait until the police investigation is completed before settling your claim. This is a normal delay to see if the vehicle will be recovered by police. Some stolen vehicles are actually abandoned shortly after being stolen and later found.
If your vehicle is not found, your insurer will advise you of the terms and conditions for replacing your vehicle or reimbursing you for its cost. These conditions are set out in your contract.
THE 10 MOST FREQUENTLY STOLEN VEHICLES IN QUEBEC IN 2018
2017 ACURA MDX 4DR 4WD
2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4DR 4WD
2017 HONDA CR-V 4DR AWD
2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4DR 4WD
2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4DR 4WD
2017 HONDA PILOT 4DR 4WD
2017 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4DR 4WD
2016 HONDA PILOT 4DR 4WD
2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V 5DR
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V 5DR
Jackie Beaudoin, Leclerc Insurance and Financial Services