Reduction in car thefts in Quebec

Despite all efforts, 35,618 vehicles were involved in incidents of theft last year

MONTREAL, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Although we are just a few hours away from the start of the "construction holiday" Intact Insurance, the country's largest automobile insurer, would like to remind you that thieves will not be taking it easy this summer and might have their eye on you, your vehicle and your belongings.

Statistics Canada's most recent data published today shows that car theft is still a major issue in Quebec, despite the significant reduction observed over the recent years. On average, 98 vehicles are targeted by thieves, every day.

Vehicle thefts and thefts of items from vehicles
Province of Quebec, 2015

	Number	Frequency (per minute)	Frequency (per day)
Vehicle thefts	13,123	1 theft every 40 minutes	36 vehicles stolen every day
Thefts of items from vehicles	22,495	1 theft every 23 minutes	62 thefts from vehicles per day
Total	35,618	1 theft every 15 minutes	98 thefts per day

4 useful tips
Here are a few prevention tips that might make a big difference and help you rest easier while you're on vacation.

• Close your windows and lock the doors: it's the first line of defence, and it's easy to do.
  
  
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running: don't make yourself a target for no reason – even for a few moments – and above all don't tempt opportunist thieves.
  
  We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you to never leave your children or pets alone in a car, even if you only intend to leave your vehicle for a few moments.
  
  
• Tracking device: a vehicle clearly equipped with a tracking device is far less attractive to organized thieves, who typically specialize in selling parts.
  
  What's more, if ever your vehicle is stolen, the odds of recovery are much higher.
  
  
• Don't leave anything in sight in your car: thieves love electronic devices and items of value, which are resold just as easily as they're stolen.

Are you adequately insured?
In spite of taking these precautions, you might still fall victim to theft. This is exactly the type of situation when your insurance coverage truly proves its worth.

• Is your car insured against theft? This optional coverage is highly recommended and could save you from finishing your vacation without any means of transport.
  
  
• Do you have a type of replacement value coverage? This type of coverage, which is also optional, further protects you in the case of a total loss or theft, for example, as you could be indemnified without taking into account your vehicle's depreciated value.
  
  
• Are items stolen from your vehicle covered by your auto or home insurance?
  If your vehicle is stolen, it's obviously your auto insurance that will cover its loss.
  
  However, if belongings left in your vehicle are stolen, the claim is usually covered by your home insurance which is why insurance is important whether you're a homeowner or tenant.

Money-saving tips that also ensure peace of mind
Want to lower your insurance premium without giving up any coverage? Here are some smart options.

• Discount of up to 30% if your vehicle has extensive anti-theft markings, an electronic tag, or if it is equipped with a tracking device recognized by Intact Insurance.
  
  This reduction applies to Section B of your auto insurance policy, in other words to coverage for All perils other than collision or upset or Specific perils.
  
  
• Discount of up to 25% with my Driving Discount^TM, a program that rewards drivers who have good driving habits.
  
  This reduction applies to your auto insurance policy's total premium.
  
  
• Discount of up to 15% if you have not made a claim over the last three years.
  
  This reduction applies to your auto insurance policy's total premium.
  
  
• Combine your auto and home insurance policies with Intact Insurance: the amount of your premium will be lower and you'll reap other rewards, such as only having to pay one deductible for a claim affecting both policies.
  
  
• Increase your deductible: the deductible is the amount you have to cover yourself should you make a claim on your vehicle. By increasing your deductible, you'll lower your insurance premium.

If you would like to have more information, check the extent of your coverage or discuss Intact Insurance's offer, please contact your broker, who is best placed to give you advice.

About Intact Insurance 
Intact Insurance is Canada's largest home, auto and business insurance company, the choice of more than four million consumers. 

Intact Insurance products are distributed through insurance brokers working with more than 6,000 brokerages from coast to coast. 

Intact Insurance is the official insurer of: 

• the Réseau FADOQ (for home and auto insurance)
• the Association des Véhicules Électriques du Québec (AVÉQ)
• the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) and
• the Fédération Québécoise des clubs quads (FQCQ)

Intact Insurance is a member company of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC). 
intact.ca / intactfc.com

Vehicle theft
Province of Quebec and its main urban centres, 2015

	Number	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change vs 2014	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change over 5 years (2010)	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change over 10 years (2005)
Saguenay	214	127.8	+23.2%	-38.9%	-56.2%
Quebec City	581	72.6	-17.0%	-50.6%	-72.1%
Sherbrooke	108	54.3	-41.0%	-73.2%	-86.0%
Trois- Rivieres	179	115.1	-6.2%	-55.0%	-74.5%
Montreal	7,651	188.2	-15.7%	-47.3%	-71.0%
Gatineau	317	96.6	+11.6%	-47.4%	-65.4%
Total Province of Quebec	13,123	158.8	-14.1%	-47.9%	-68.7%

Source: Statistics Canada (CANSIM). Table 252-0051 - Incident-based crime statistics by detailed violations, annual. Site consulted July 20, 2016.

Theft of items from vehicles
Province of Quebec and its main urban centres, 2015

	Number	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change vs 2014	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change over 5 years (2010)	Rate per 100,000 inhabitants   Change over 10 years (2005)
Saguenay	402	240.0	+40.8%	-28.0%	-20.9%
Quebec City	1,576	197.0	+17.2%	-50.6%	-48.5%
Sherbrooke	280	140.8	+1.6%	-53.9%	-57.5%
Trois- Rivieres	324	208.3	-3.7%	-56.2%	-35.3%
Montreal	15,863	390.2	-10.2%	-47.6%	-49.2%
Gatineau	622	189.6	+0.4%	-55.9%	-62.4%
Total Province of Quebec	22,495	272.2	-6.1%	-47.2%	-47.8%

Source: Statistics Canada (CANSIM). Table 252-0051 - Incident-based crime statistics by detailed violations, annual. Site consulted July 20, 2016.

SOURCE Intact Insurance

Alexandre Royer, [phone], [email protected]