Michel Brosseau, Manager,
Loss Prevention,
Echelon Insurance

Cargo theft is an ongoing challenge facing Canada’s long-haul trucking industry, resulting in financial losses and disrupting supply chains. In fact, the rate of cargo theft in Canada and the U.S. increased by 27% from 2023 to 2024. As theft becomes increasingly sophisticated, it’s important for fleet operators to recognize potential exposures and to take proactive steps to mitigate risks while understanding how to respond effectively if theft occurs.

Best practices for securing cargo

From full truckloads stolen during transportation to partial shipments taken from storage facilities, cargo theft can occur during any phase of the delivery process. To effectively manage potential exposures, operators should consider taking a multilayered, proactive approach that includes security devices as well as comprehensive driver policies and procedures.

Security devices include, but are not limited to:

  • Premise security: Secure gates and high-quality fencing are important barriers designed to withstand unauthorized access and should be accompanied by access control systems such as biometric scanners like fingerprint or facial recognition, and RFID-enabled entry points. In addition, operators should consider strategic lighting in key areas such as loading zones and parking lots as well as surveillance cameras to help deter theft.
  • Enhanced locking systems: The use of heavy-duty pin locks on trailer doors is a simple yet effective measure to secure cargo. These specialized locks are difficult to bypass, offering an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access. To further deter theft, loaded trailers should be parked against buildings or other trailers to prevent access to rear doors, when possible.
  • Real-time GPS tracking: GPS-monitoring systems enable fleet operators to detect if a truck or its load deviates from the planned route. GPS tracking improves an operator’s ability to respond to a theft event efficiently and enables dispatch to provide detailed information to police.
  • Dash cameras: Utilizing dash cameras with night vision capabilities can play an invaluable role in identifying theft and providing evidence for police investigations. In addition, if cameras are visible from outside the truck, thieves may be deterred from targeting a vehicle to avoid being recorded.

Policies and procedures to deter cargo theft include, but are not limited to:

  • Information sharing: Though drivers may not suspect that their conversations at truck stops, over the phone, or online pose a substantial risk, thieves can overhear or see these exchanges and gather a wealth of information about cargo, destinations, and delivery windows. Drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and avoid sharing information about their routes and their cargo.
  • Background checks: For industries like trucking, background checks are essential when hiring employees who will have access to valuable cargo and sensitive information. Background checks help identify potential risks, such as criminal history or unsafe driving records, and ensure that only qualified, responsible individuals are hired. 
  • Unattended trailers and cargo: Trailers should be continuously monitored or stored in secure, gated facilities when not in transit. When stopping for rest breaks or overnight stays, drivers should park in well-lit, high-traffic areas or truck stops.
  • Route planning: Predetermined routes should be followed to ensure efficiency and prevent drivers from stopping in unsafe locations. In addition, drivers should work with dispatch to vary their route when delivering cargo to the same destination frequently, as routine travel patterns may make drivers an easier, more predictable target for theft.
  • Driver training: As theft tactics evolve, trucking operators need to provide ongoing training to ensure drivers are aware of the latest theft mitigation strategies. Loss prevention is a shared partnership between customers, brokers, and insurers. Trucking operators can work with their broker and insurer to access educational tools to support cargo theft prevention and other loss prevention strategies across their operations.

Responding to cargo theft

Equipping drivers with an organized response plan will help ensure that an incident is addressed quickly, minimizing potential losses and increasing the chances of recovering the stolen goods or equipment. If a theft occurs, drivers should immediately contact the police followed by their dispatch team, who will then notify their broker and/or insurer and provide the authorities with key information such as dashcam footage or GPS tracking details.

Mitigating and responding to cargo theft requires a multilayered approach that includes premise security systems and technologies as well as driver screening and ongoing training. While these strategies require an investment of time and resources, these tools can lead to long-term savings from the potential cost of stolen cargo and interruption to business operations. Over time, taking a proactive approach will contribute to building resilience against cargo theft throughout Canada’s long-haul trucking industry.

Copyright © 2025 Echelon Insurance. All rights reserved. This article is provided by Echelon Insurance to assist commercial enterprises in identifying conditions that may lead to property and liability exposure as a result of cargo theft and taking proactive steps to respond to and mitigate these risks. While we believe this article is comprehensive, it is provided “as is” and we do not guarantee it is complete. All responsibility and risk relating to specific incidents, including use of this form, are assumed by the commercial enterprise. ® Registered trademark of Echelon Insurance.

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