Automobile Theft Statistics

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Automobile Theft Statistics
Click the links below to learn more:

•	National Auto Theft Statistics
•	Does it matter where I live?
•	Colorado Auto Theft Statistics
•	Most Popular Stolen Vehicles
•	Auto Theft Prevention
•	Security Discounts
•	Reporting Auto Theft & Fraud
•	Check Your Vehicle's VIN

National Auto Theft Statistics
Auto theft is on the decline in the US. Initial data makes 2007 the fourth consecutive year of declining auto thefts. Thefts appear to be down 7.4% compared to 2006, and 11% since 2000.

In 2006, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 1,192,809 vehicles were reported stolen, down more than 40,000 compared to 2005. Though national numbers were down, the West experienced an increase of 4.5% . (*FBI Uniform Crime Reports). Western states represent 23.0% of the population, and 37.9% of motor vehicle thefts.

Using the FBI's average valuation of $6,649 per stolen vehicle, the 1.19 million vehicles stolen during 2006 caused estimated property losses of $7.9 billion.

Only 13% of thefts were cleared by arrests in 2004 (Insurance Information Institute). The NICB is finding that technology, such as license plate readers, owner-installed theft-deterrant devices, and tracking/recovery systems, is aiding the recovery of stolen vehicles.

Every 26 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States.

Auto theft is covered by the optional "comprehensive" coverage on your auto policy. The U.S. average comprehensive insurance premium decreased 2.5% between 2004 and 2005, the most recent data available. (Insurance Information Institute)

Carjacking accounts for 3.0% of all motor vehicle thefts nationwide, and occurs most frequently in urban areas.

A survey of American drivers conducted in April 2007 on behalf of the National Insurance Crime Bureau and LoJack, a manufacturer of an electronic vehicle tracking and recovery system, found:

•	79% always lock their vehicles.
•	93% never leave spare keys in their vehicle.

However, the survey also found:

•	One- third admit they have left their car while it was running, which makes the vehicle an easy target for theft.
•	47% don’t always park in a well-lit area.
•	40% don’t hide their valuables. In fact, nearly half leave mail in their vehicle, a quarter have left a purse or wallet, and almost a third have left bank statements, all of which can put them at risk for identity theft.

Although 75% of respondents know that there are costs associated with vehicle theft in addition to paying the insurance deductible and the cost of replacing the vehicle that are not covered by insurance, virtually none knew that there are additional costs such as insurance premium increases, the cost of time spent dealing with police, vehicle rental costs, and the cost of time off from work. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

Does it matter where I live?
Living in urban and higher crime areas has an impact on your risk of being a victim of auto theft. Port and border cities continue to be boomtowns for the auto theft business. Of the top 25 metro areas in the nation for vehicle theft, nearly half are ports or communities with easy access to borders (*National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB). The NICB study compares the auto theft rates per 100,000 population in 361 metro areas.

The top 10 states ranked by number of auto thefts in 2006:

1.	California
2.	Texas
3.	Florida
4.	Arizona
5.	Michigan
6.	Washington
7.	Georgia
8.	Illinois
9.	Ohio
10.	New York

The top 10 metro areas with highest auto theft rates in 2007:

1.	Modesto, CA
2.	Las Vegas/Paradise, NV
3.	San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA
4.	Stockton, CA
5.	San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA
6.	Laredo, TX
7.	Albuquerque, NM
8.	Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, AZ
9.	Yakima, WA
10.	Tucson, AZ

City-by-city differences in auto buying habits are reflected in the preferences of auto thieves. For example, American vehicles tend to be the auto thief's vehicles of choice in Detroit and Chicago; pickups are popular in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Houston; and Japanese models lead the most commonly stolen list in Los Angeles.

Reporting Auto Theft & Fraud
Report fraud and vehicle theft to your local law enforcement, as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau at
1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422). Your call to NICB can be anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward.

Last Updated:
March 2, 2010 9:06 AM

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