How auto crime, vehicle injuries are trending in B.C.

New analysis of 10-year data from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) shows significant shifts in vehicle trends across B.C., including a sharp decline in auto crime and crash counts that remain below pre-pandemic levels.

“Both overall crashes and injury crashes in B.C. remain below pre-pandemic levels, despite steady growth in vehicles on the road, reflecting lasting changes in driving patterns following the COVID‑19 pandemic and the introduction of Enhanced Care in May 2021,” ICBC says in a press release.

In 2025, injury crash levels were 21% below the pre-pandemic average (2016–2019), while overall crashes were 3% lower.

Auto crime has also posted a major decline, dropping 31% over the last 10 years, the public auto insurer reports. Most dramatically, vehicle break-ins have fallen by 60% since 2016, including a noticeable drop starting in 2023. Stolen vehicle incidents have decreased 46% since 2016, while vandalism claims have remained relatively stable.

This auto crime trend is moving in the opposite direction from Ontario, as Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reported recently.

Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga continue to hold the titles for Ontario’s Top 3 cities for car theft claims. Toronto racked up $114.5 million in auto theft claims costs in 2025, a 253% increase from IBC’s 2017 report. Brampton’s $43.2 million in claims costs was 565% higher than the claims seen in 2017, while Mississauga posted $31.5 million in claims costs, 216% greater than in 2017.

ICBC’s data show crash risks peaks during weekday afternoon commutes – with Friday afternoons (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) being the riskiest time on B.C. roads.

Crash patterns among vulnerable road users show a decline in 2020, followed by steady increases. In particular, pedestrian crashes remain the highest, rising in recent years but still well below pre-2020 levels. Cyclist crashes have increased consistently and, by 2025, slightly exceed pre-2020 levels. Motorcycle crashes remain relatively stable and below pre-2020 peaks.

In terms of new vehicle registration – referring to the first time a vehicle is registered in B.C. – the 10-year statistical review uncovers changing patterns in vehicle choices. Gas-powered vehicle registrations remain below levels seen before 2020.

“Hybrid vehicles are growing steadily and now exceed electric vehicle registrations each year,” ICBC reports. “While electric vehicle adoption rose quickly in recent years, that growth has slowed.”

From Cracked Engines to Critters: Common Boat Claims and Avoidable Oversights Image

Insights Paid Content

From Cracked Engines to Critters: Common Boat Claims and Avoidable Oversights

Aviva’s Marine Assessment Unit shares real world boat claims, coverage surprises, and practical insights brokers can use to better protect NauticLife customers.

By 

Sponsor Image

The latest data is ICBC’s second scheduled update to its online statistics this year. It includes data on injured pedestrians and cyclists, top crash locations, and crashes involving heavy vehicles, youth, motorcyclists and hit-and-runs.

The next update will be this fall, with 2025 data on fatalities and police-reported crashes. Violation ticket and contravention data will be updated again at that time with partial 2026 counts.

Jason Contant

Jason has been an award-winning journalist with Canadian Underwriter for more than a decade, including the past three years as associate editor and, before that, as digital editor for seven years.