Engine Immobilizer - Insurance Requirement

[HedgeHog]

Hi.
I'm currently in the process and have decided to order a 4Runner Platinum once the 2026 pricing becomes available in Canada .

My research included getting auto insurance quotes and my insurance provider, CAA, has a requirement to install a 3rd party (approved) engine immobilizer (dispite the 4Runner already has beenne by default) otherwise, an addition $1,500 a year premium will be tacked onto the insurance policy as, although not on their “TOP 10 Theft List, yet, it's been deemed as a necessary requirement.

Has anyone else auto insurance made a 3rd party engine immobilizer a requirement as well?

Thanks!

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[Doofy]

ouch.

TAG is almost a general requirement these days, at roughly $300 - $400 one-time cost. KYCS is s similar (Honda Locate)

Engine Immobilizer is a pretty heavy insurance requirement, and not typically required with many insurers yet, on any vehicle, for that matter. CAA may have already experienced losses with certain trims. Balance the cost of the immobilizer vs rough annual costs with other insurers, and you'll soon find out if it makes sense to stick with CAA or move to another provider.

all this considered, the 2025/6 4R is not cheap to insure in Ontario

i happen to know this insurance stuff inside and out, but it is changing quickly.

you can also search this forum for a fellow 25 Platinum owner who had his 4R stolen from his driveway 3 days into ownership, at the end of Aug this year. i believe he is researching an engine immobilizer

 

[thirstyross]

(dispite the 4Runner already has beenne by default)

Built-in immobilizer does nothing if they use a key relay attack or reprogram the 4runner to accept a new key they can use to take the car. You need a third party solution like Autowatch Ghost II (insurance certified), it will cost about a grand to put in but ain't no-one gonna start that car even if they have the key, the only way it can be stolen is to flatbed it away.

 

[HedgeHog]

Built-in immobilizer does nothing if they use a key relay attack or reprogram the 4runner to accept a new key they can use to take the car. You need a third party solution like Autowatch Ghost II (insurance certified), it will cost about a grand to put in but ain't no-one gonna start that car even if they have the key, the only way it can be stolen is to flatbed it away.

That's the product recommended too use by CAA actually.

Thanks!

 

[juan mesa]

Hi.
I'm currently in the process and have decided to order a 4Runner Platinum once the 2026 pricing becomes available in Canada .

My research included getting auto insurance quotes and my insurance provider, CAA, has a requirement to install a 3rd party (approved) engine immobilizer (dispite the 4Runner already has beenne by default) otherwise, an addition $1,500 a year premium will be tacked onto the insurance policy as, although not on their “TOP 10 Theft List, yet, it's been deemed as a necessary requirement.

Has anyone else auto insurance made a 3rd party engine immobilizer a requirement as well?

Thanks!

Hello my 2025 Toyota 4Runner platinum was stolen from my driveway 3 days after we bought it, I live in Kitchener Ontario, the police found the vehicle 3 hours after it got stolen, they cut all the electrical wires, for a total cost in damages upwards of $28000 it’s been more than 4 weeks and I still don’t have the truck back because of back orders parts, it has been a total nightmare, I definitely don’t want to go through this again, so as soon we get our truck back we’re installing a ( Ghost inmmobilizer the cost for this device in my area is around $1499 plus taxes

 

[HedgeHog]

Hello my 2025 Toyota 4Runner platinum was stolen from my driveway 3 days after we bought it, I live in Kitchener Ontario, the police found the vehicle 3 hours after it got stolen, they cut all the electrical wires, for a total cost in damages upwards of $28000 it’s been more than 4 weeks and I still don’t have the truck back because of back orders parts, it has been a total nightmare, I definitely don’t want to go through this again, so as soon we get our truck back we’re installing a ( Ghost inmmobilizer the cost for this device in my area is around $1499 plus taxes

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate ordeal.

The Ghost Immobilizer is exactly what CAA recommended. I got the same quote for the install cost which, coincidentally, is the same premium annual surcharge on automobile insurance with CAA… go figure!

Between Toyota’s (new lack of) inventory scheme, long delivery times and their high theft rate are the main reasons I'm actually reluctant to purchase the 4Runner but, unfortunately, there aren't many vehicles on the market that meet similar requirements I want in a vehicle either

 

[juan mesa]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate ordeal.

The Ghost Immobilizer is exactly what CAA recommended. I got the same quote for the install cost which, coincidentally, is the same premium annual surcharge on automobile insurance with CAA… go figure!

Between Toyota’s (new lack of) inventory scheme, long delivery times and their high theft rate are the main reasons I'm actually reluctant to purchase the 4Runner but, unfortunately, there aren't many vehicles on the market that meet similar requirements I want in a vehicle either

Even though I had the truck for 3 days, it’s exactly what you would expect, incredibly amazing, I love everything about it!!! You won’t be disappointed if you end up getting one, but I highly recommend to install an inmmobilizer
When I ordered my truck back in January they said around a year waiting time but it came six months later, I think Canada is seeing more 4Runner in the last couple of months because of the tariffs that USA has with imported vehicles.

 

[HedgeHog]

Hello my 2025 Toyota 4Runner platinum was stolen from my driveway 3 days after we bought it, I live in Kitchener Ontario, the police found the vehicle 3 hours after it got stolen, they cut all the electrical wires, for a total cost in damages upwards of $28000 it’s been more than 4 weeks and I still don’t have the truck back because of back orders parts, it has been a total nightmare, I definitely don’t want to go through this again, so as soon we get our truck back we’re installing a ( Ghost inmmobilizer the cost for this device in my area is around $1499 plus taxes

I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal!

For what it's worth, I got mine installed at Stealth Motorsports in Cambridge, Ontario. I suggest if and when you do get an immobilizer installed, call Dale, the owner; he's a really nice guy.

Also, better pricing than what you were quoted as well, and his company is listed as an authorized installer on the Ghost website.

Good luck, let me know how it goes!

Cheers, Rob.

 

[juan mesa]

I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal!

For what it's worth, I got mine installed at Stealth Motorsports in Cambridge, Ontario. I suggest if and when you do get an immobilizer installed, call Dale, the owner; he's a really nice guy.

Also, better pricing than what you were quoted as well, and his company is listed as an authorized installer on the Ghost website.

Good luck, let me know how it goes!

Cheers, Rob.

Thank you. I’m still waiting for my truck back, it’s been two months and a week and still waiting for parts!!! Nightmare

 

[HedgeHog]

Thank you. I’m still waiting for my truck back, it’s been two months and a week and still waiting for parts!!! Nightmare

Fingers crossed that I don’t go through what you’re dealing with. Sadly, living “next door” to the Captial of Car Theives is unfortunate for me too!

 

[juan mesa]

Fingers crossed that I don’t go through what you’re dealing with. Sadly, living “next door” to the Captial of Car Theives is unfortunate for me too!

Yes sir fingers crossed! How is your truck? I haven’t explored mine or done anything to it, also I haven’t been able to find winter mats for the hybrid version, I want to get the lasfit mats but they don’t ship to Canada, Amazon.ca sells them but no for hybrid.

 

[HedgeHog]

Yes sir fingers crossed! How is your truck? I haven’t explored mine or done anything to it, also I haven’t been able to find winter mats for the hybrid version, I want to get the lasfit mats but they don’t ship to Canada, Amazon.ca sells them but no for hybrid.

Well, i did have a wee bit of buyers remorse for the first week as I sold my 8 year old BMW M Series Coupe to to buy it. 8 years of 0% problems and 100% enjoyment but, I’m glad I did it and I’m really enjoying driving it now…. Much more relaxing and my driving habits have begun to conform to truck driving rather than… well, you know

As for mats, I didn’t order any from Toyota but they “threw in” both summer and winter mats even though I bought some front driver and passenger WeatherTech HP mats. They, as expected, fit perfectly. They’re made in the USA but are sold in CAD$ and shipped from their warehouse in Burlington, Ontario I believe.

I love WeatherTech mats, this is the 4th vehicle with them now.

Also bought the TRD AlLoy wheel and Michelin Winter Tire package and getting them installed in early November, hopefully, before the snow starts to fly

 

[juan mesa]

Well, i did have a wee bit of buyers remorse for the first week as I sold my 8 year old BMW M Series Coupe to to buy it. 8 years of 0% problems and 100% enjoyment but, I’m glad I did it and I’m really enjoying driving it now…. Much more relaxing and my driving habits have begun to conform to truck driving rather than… well, you know

As for mats, I didn’t order any from Toyota but they “threw in” both summer and winter mats even though I bought some front driver and passenger WeatherTech HP mats. They, as expected, fit perfectly. They’re made in the USA but are sold in CAD$ and shipped from their warehouse in Burlington, Ontario I believe.

I love WeatherTech mats, this is the 4th vehicle with them now.

Also bought the TRD AlLoy wheel and Michelin Winter Tire package and getting them installed in early November, hopefully, before the snow starts to fly

I’m glad you are enjoying the 4Runner platinum I can’t wait to get my back, I used to have weather tech mats on my Highlander, I just wanted to try the lasfit mats because they fit so well on the 4Runner as per videos I have seen.
As per tires I going to wait until next winter because we’re going to install the inmmobilizer, insurance deductible that’s the budget for the tires
Thanks for all your info

 

[HedgeHog]

I’m glad you are enjoying the 4Runner platinum I can’t wait to get my back, I used to have weather tech mats on my Highlander, I just wanted to try the lasfit mats because they fit so well on the 4Runner as per videos I have seen.
As per tires I going to wait until next winter because we’re going to install the inmmobilizer, insurance deductible that’s the budget for the tires
Thanks for all your info

here’s hoping you’ll be back behind the wheel of your 4Runner soon!

take care, R.

 

[green_tips]

Hello my 2025 Toyota 4Runner platinum was stolen from my driveway 3 days after we bought it, I live in Kitchener Ontario, the police found the vehicle 3 hours after it got stolen, they cut all the electrical wires, for a total cost in damages upwards of $28000 it’s been more than 4 weeks and I still don’t have the truck back because of back orders parts, it has been a total nightmare, I definitely don’t want to go through this again, so as soon we get our truck back we’re installing a ( Ghost inmmobilizer the cost for this device in my area is around $1499 plus taxes

Thanks for sharing your story Juan - I'm really sorry you had to go through this. It's probably of limited consolation, but you inspired me (and probably at least a few others) to get an immobilizer and take the theft risk more seriously. I really appreciated your detailed posts!

I got the IGLA system installed in my ORP from Car Systems Installation in Toronto - I feel a lot better now that I have the system installed. Remote start works fine and the install tech walked me though the dealer service mode and the reset procedures. The tech really did his best to discourage me from using the two IGLA fobs that came with the system as well.

One thing to note is that the anti-carjacking feature, where the code has to be input again after the door is opened while the car is running, is not included in the base IGLA system by default.

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