Boat Theft in Ontario
Could your Ontario boat be a target for theft? Your boat can become a target for theft due to its value, accessibility, and ease of transport.
Boat theft in Ontario has been on the rise in recent years. Boat thieves can resell them, strip them for parts, or use them in illegal activities.
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your car, home, boat, and business insurance during this period of economic uncertainty.
How do most Ontario boats get stolen?
In Ontario, boats are most often stolen from marinas and storage locations where security measures are minimal, or when they are left on trailers in driveways or backyards, usually at night.
Did you know? Thieves can transport a boat on its trailer using a truck and hitch. Boats can also be stolen while in slips and they can also be stolen from storage warehouses.
Boats stored on lifts are the safest, with only tiny percentage of thefts occurring from this storage method.
How many boats are stolen in Canada?
Boat theft is an issue in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia due to their active boating communities.
Recent data shows that several thousand boats are stolen each year in Canada.
What is the most popular type of boat stolen in Canada?
Runabout boats (small, open boats) are the most frequently stolen type of boat and make up almost half of stolen boats in Canada. Then its cruisers, those equipped for overnighting, and personal watercraft (PWC) like jet skis that get stolen.
There doesn’t seem to be one particular type of boat that is stolen in Ontario. Different types of boats are targeted, including small boats, personal watercraft, and larger yachts.
What are stolen boats being used for in Ontario?
Stolen boats are being used on Lake Ontario to run illegal drugs between Toronto and U.S. ports. The demand for boats used in smuggling has led to an increase in boat theft.
Are there anti-theft devices and measures for Ontario boats?
If your Ontario boat is stolen, the real-time location data provided by a tracking system can help police locate and recover it. Make sure that you buy a tracking device that’s suited to a marine environment. GPS systems with satellite-based communication are a good choice for boats.
Engrave your hull identification number (HIN) on your boat and trailer or a small design that will make it more difficult to resell if stolen. This will also help police identify your boat.
Trailer locks and locks designed specifically for boats provide extra protection against boat theft.
A kill switch, also called an engine cut-off switch, is designed to shut off your boat’s engine. It can help prevent theft and can stop the engine if the operator is thrown from the boat. A kill switch is an additional layer of security that can be used with other anti-theft measures, like locks and alarms.
Top tips to prevent Ontario boat theft
- Use locks; for example, use a wheel lock for your trailer and lock your engine compartment.
- Choose a marina with good security measures such as cameras.
- If you are storing your boat on your property, use camera surveillance.
- Choose a secure boat storage facility that has camera surveillance.
- Don’t leave any valuables on your boat.
- Be cautious about pictures and comments about your boat on social media.
- Use an alarm system with sensors.
- Install a kill switch in the ignition system to disable the boat’s engine remotely.
- Install an alarm system.
What to do if your Ontario boat is stolen
Contact police and your boat insurance provider right away to report the theft of your boat and to start the insurance claims process.
Be sure to provide as much detailed information about your boat as possible (type, length, age), identification numbers, and any tracking data.
You can register your stolen boat with Stolen Boats Canada to help with recovery. Stolen Boats Canada has listings of stolen boats, engines, and trailers to help boat owners and police in their recovery efforts and to protect prospective buyers.
Why Ontario boat insurance is important
A boat is a big investment. Theft is typically covered by comprehensive boat insurance policies, but you will need to understand the details of theft coverage in your policy and if there are any restrictions. Ask a Western Financial Group insurance expert about Ontario boat insurance.
Final thoughts
Just like your car, your boat can be stolen. Awareness, anti-theft measures, and Ontario boat insurance all help to protect your boat against theft.
5 FAQs about Ontario boat theft
Do police patrol Ontario’s waterways?
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrol 95% of Ontario's lakes and rivers with 134 vessels and nearly 400 officers.
Does Ontario boat insurance cover theft?
Ontario boat insurance typically includes coverage for theft. This coverage is usually part of comprehensive boat insurance coverage, which also protects against damage from accidents, vandalism, and severe weather. It’s important to understand your Ontario boat policy’s theft coverage and what is included and what is not included.
Do thieves ever steal just the boat’s motor?
Yes, thieves often steal just the boat’s motor, especially those with high horsepower.
What are the top 3 boating spots in Ontario?
The top 3 boating spots in Ontario are the Muskoka Lakes, Georgian Bay, and the Rideau Canal.
Is my Ontario boat safer from theft on a lift?
Storing a boat on a lift is usually safer from theft than storing it on a trailer or in a marina. Boats on lifts are elevated above the waterline, making them more difficult to reach and steal.
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