Vehicle Theft Rates Are Highest Since 2008
Almost three quarters of a million cars have been stolen during the first three quarters of 2022, says the National Insurance Crime Bureau in a recent report. According to vehicle theft data provided by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and analyzed by the NICB, more than 745,000 have been stolen so far this year, approaching near record levels of vehicle theft. This represents a 24% increase compared to this same time period in 2019. Even more concerning, the trends seem to show no signs of slowing down.
“The year may be coming to an end, but criminals are not going on winter break,” said David Glawe, President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “Even as temperatures drop, vehicle owners everywhere need to know that the criminals are still on the hunt.”
Based on previous analysis by the NICB, it cautions that vehicle thefts tend to increase in the last three months of the year during the holiday season. As a result, if this trend continues, totals could exceed one million stolen vehicles nationally by the end of the year and surpass pre-pandemic highs by more than 100,000 stolen vehicles.
“Remember, practicing good security hygiene is an easy and effective first step all of us can take to protect ourselves and our vehicles,” said Glawe. “Don’t leave your car running and unattended. Always take your keys with you and most importantly, make sure your auto policy is up to date. It is that simple.”
5 tips agents can share with their insureds on how to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle theft
- Always practice good security hygiene.
- Make sure your auto policy is up to date.
- Roll up your windows, lock your doors, and take the keys or fob.
- Park in well-lit areas and, when possible, areas staffed by security
- Park personal vehicles in a garage. If not possible, and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights. While lights may not provide complete security, it may make some thieves think twice, making them leave the area and your vehicle untouched.
