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Corporate Vehicle Theft: The Complete Guide to Protecting and Recovering Your Vehicle Fleet

In France, in 2024, vehicle thefts, particularly commercial vehicles (CVs), increased significantly: 70,459 vehicles were stolen, 5% more than in 2023. These statistics on company car theft were published in the annual barometer of GIE Argos, published by France Assureurs.

Beyond the loss of the vehicle itself, the consequences of theft are numerous and have a significant impact on businesses. Theft causes a variety of problems in addition to the loss of equipment: business interruption, complex administrative procedures (insurance), impact on customer reputation in terms of obligations and commitments, etc.

At Echoes, we offer a range of innovative solutions to address these issues and protect your vehicles. Find out how to prevent vehicle theft and how to respond to maximize your chances of recovering your vehicles more quickly.

  • Security

Table of contents

New theft methods targeting commercial fleets

Theft methods are constantly evolving, and inevitably impact your business. Among the many emerging methods, here are the most common:

  • Mouse jacking: this is a theft technique that involves stealing a car without breaking in or using violence by attacking the vehicle’s on-board electronic system.

  • The most targeted vehicles: Among the many types of theft, commercial vehicles top the list in theft statistics. This is because most of them contain valuable professional equipment. An additional incentive for criminals…

  • The real cost of theft: several factors must be taken into account, such as the value of the vehicle, the value of the cargo, the cost of immobilization, and increased insurance premiums.
    For example, we are basing our calculations on a vehicle worth around €30,000 (if the theft results in a total loss, this is the value of the vehicle. If the insurance covers all or part of the cost, this cost is transferred to the insurer, but for the company it is a potential cost (excess, etc.)).
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To this amount, we add the value of the cargo, which we estimate at €10,000, but this amount will vary depending on the type of equipment and the percentage of the price covered by insurance.
If the immobilization period is 15 days (procedures, replacement time, etc.), we estimate an amount of €100 per day, so the cost would be €1,500.
The increase in insurance will vary depending on the type of contract, history, and frequency of theft, among other factors. In France, it is estimated that car insurance will increase by 4 to 6% in 2025 for many profiles. For commercial vehicles (light), the increase would be similar depending on the risk and geographical area.

Secure your fleet

Prevention strategies: how to secure your vehicle fleet in advance?

Faced with all these thefts, you now need to be innovative in order to protect your vehicle fleet. There are various solutions available to secure your vehicle fleet:

  • Human and organizational prevention: ensure your drivers implement basic best practices (locking the vehicle, keys, parking in secure locations, etc.), marking parts, etc.

  • Technology as the first line of defense:

    • Smart Alerts: by activating alerts for unauthorized starting or movement outside of working hours, you maximize the visibility of the vehicle in question so that the information can be reported to your security teams as quickly as possible.

    • Geofencing (visual surveillance): By using a monitoring tool, you can secure your vehicles more effectively. Geofencing allows you to define security zones (parking lots, warehouses) so that you receive instant alerts as soon as a vehicle leaves these zones without authorization.

Technology at the service of stolen vehicle recovery

Protecting your vehicle fleet is now easier thanks to technological advances and the emergence of digital solutions. You benefit from numerous advantages in managing your vehicle fleet:

  • The key role of real-time GPS tracking: this is a precise, live location service, providing crucial information to law enforcement agencies. It is the number one technology for recovering stolen vehicles. With this tool, you can secure your vehicle fleet and facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles.

  • The advantage of manufacturer data (without a box): at a time when technology is evolving very rapidly and criminals are becoming increasingly efficient, a solution that is invisible and undetectable to thieves is a major advantage for businesses. Constantly searching for visible GPS boxes and trackers to disable, thieves will find themselves blocked by digital solutions such as CarLocate.

  • Travel history: in the context of investigations, it is important to be able to provide various information. Retracing the thieves’ route is often crucial for the police. With these digital tools, you can easily extract and transmit this data.

Action plan: What should you do immediately in the event of theft?

To optimize the recovery of your vehicles, there are best practices for taking swift action:

  • Step 1: Confirm the theft using your management tool. By using the platform to check the exact location of the vehicle, you can confirm that it is not a false alarm.

  • Step 2: Contact law enforcement immediately. With your connected vehicle tracking solution, you will be able to provide them with access to real-time geolocation data. This is the most effective way to speed up the response.

  • Step 3: Initiate insurance procedures. You will need to prepare to file a claim.

  • Step 4: Activate remote immobilization. Thanks to your tool, you can safely stop the vehicle.

 

We know that there is no such thing as zero risk! But an approach that combines both prevention and rapid recovery technology will be the best insurance for securing your vehicle fleet. At a time when budgets are often tight, it is important not to view your stolen vehicle tracking solution as an expense, but as an essential tool and investment to ensure vehicle security, maintain business continuity, and bring peace of mind to your company and its managers.

Contact our experts for a security audit of your vehicle fleet. >

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