Fewer thefts; more expensive repairs

Newly released statistics from the Automotive Insurers Group (Groupement des assureurs automobiles GAA) reveal contrasting insurance trends across Quebec. While anti-theft countermeasures produced a significant drop in stolen vehicle claims, escalating collision repair bills continue to exert upward pressure on provincial auto insurance premiums.

In 2025, vehicle theft claims in Quebec declined by 31.5% year over year to 4,559 incidents—the lowest level recorded since 2016. However, total claim severity for collision damage continues to climb. The average claim cost for a collision event reached $8,638, up from $4,083 recorded a decade prior. Industry analysts attribute the surge to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) sensor integration, rising replacement component costs, specialized labor requirements, and higher overall vehicle valuation.

“Prevention and anti-theft measures are yielding concrete results,” said Dave Cavallaro, Director of Estimating and Insurance Plans at the GAA. “This is excellent news for consumers, as vehicle theft generates substantial expenses that ultimately impact the entire auto insurance market.”

“Vehicles are more sophisticated than ever, and repairs are increasingly costly,” added Cavallaro. “Every avoided collision contributes not only to road safety but also reduces claim severity and limits pressure on auto insurance premiums. By sharing this data, the GAA emphasizes that safe driving habits remain one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents and their human and financial toll.”

The GAA’s report underscores how repair complexity and vehicle technology calibrations are reshaping collision severity and total-loss thresholds across the market.