Auto Theft: Stats, Facts and Tips to Avoid Becoming the Next Victim | By Jordan Frankel

Everyday someone across the nation wakes up to find that their vehicle has been stolen—sometimes right out of their garage. Nearly $6 billion is lost to auto theft, making it a lucrative business for thieves. With over 750,000 vehicles stolen every year, chances are you know someone who has been victimized by this crime or have experienced this personal violation yourself. 

The following is some important information about auto theft and the steps you can take to avoid becoming the next statistic. 

Auto Theft in the United States

Every year the FBI collects data on vehicle theft in the U.S. The following is data from their most recent Uniformed Crime Report for 2017:

• Approximately 773,139 vehicles were stolen in 2017.
• Of the vehicles stolen, 75.4% were automobiles (cars, SUVs, & trucks).
• Auto theft increased by approximately 10% from 2013 to 2017.
• Over $6 billion in losses occurred due to auto theft.

According to data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, of the auto thefts that occurred between 2016 and 2018, 229,339 were due to the vehicle’s keys or key fob being left in the vehicles. That’s 209 vehicles every day!

Top 10 Cities with the Highest Auto Theft Rates

Metropolitan areas with dense populations experience more auto theft crimes than smaller rural areas. Of the 10 U.S. cities with the highest auto theft rates, 5 are in California. The following are the cities with the highest auto theft rates:

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico
2. Anchorage, Alaska 
3. Bakersfield, California 
4. Pueblo, Colorado
5. Modesto, California
6. Redding, California
7. Stockton-Lodi, California
8. Wichita, Kansas
9. Vallejo-Fairfield, California
10. St. Joseph, Missouri

Top 7 Vehicles Stolen in the U.S.

As far as which vehicles are most popular among car thieves, large gas-powered vehicles are the most popular. The following is a list of the top 5 vehicles most likely to be stolen according to research produced by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI):

1. Dodge Charger HEMI
2. Dodge Challenger Hellcat
3. Standard Dodge Charger 
4. Infiniti Q50 
5. Infiniti QX80
6. Chrysler 300 4-wheel drive
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The above data differs a great deal from the data collected and produced by U.S. law enforcement agencies. That’s because the HLDI’s data is based on the total losses per vehicle claims, not on the number of vehicles stolen by type. In terms of occurrence, here is a list of most common vehicles stolen: 

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord 
3. Ford F-150
4. Chevrolet Silverado
5. Toyota Camry
6. Nissan Altima
7. Toyota Corolla

What Happens to Stolen Vehicles

Perhaps you’ve seen movies where thieves steal vehicles and take them to an underground shop or a shipping port. These portrayals closely mirror real-life scenarios for stolen vehicles in the U.S.

The number one reason criminals steal vehicles is for the money. Thieves often take vehicles to chop shops, where they disassemble them into parts to sell. Others sell the vehicles intact on the black market. The sale and export of stolen vehicles to buyers in foreign countries is a big business and can translate into large sums of quick cash. 

Security Tips to Prevent Auto Theft

Auto theft victimizes everyone, including those who have never had their vehicle stolen. This is because every driver has to have auto insurance, and the premiums we pay take into account the losses incurred as a whole due to auto theft. 

To avoid succumbing to the personal violation and financial loss of auto theft, implement the following preventative measures:

• Make your vehicle difficult to enter.
• Always lock your doors and roll up your windows whenever you leave your car, even in a seemingly safe location like an enclosed garage. Never leave your keys or key fob inside the vehicle—it’s a tempting opportunity for thieves.

• Equip your vehicle with anti-theft devices. A reliable alarm system is essential, but it’s not the only line of defense. Consider installing VehicleGARD glass security film, which makes windows almost impenetrable and can withstand multiple strikes from hard objects. Additional anti-theft tools like steering wheel locks, brake locks, wheel locks, and immobilizer devices can further deter criminals. Adding decals to indicate the presence of these devices can discourage potential thieves.

• Never leave valuables or personal items in your car.Many thieves break into vehicles to steal possessions rather than the car itself. Never leave items like wallets, electronics, or your vehicle registration inside, as the latter contains sensitive information such as your name and address. Instead, store a copy of your registration on your phone or in your wallet. Also, avoid leaving your garage door opener in your vehicle, especially if parked outside. Thieves may use it to gain access to your home.

Don’t Forget to Secure Your Property

Your home is your first line of defense, so taking steps to secure it can also help protect your vehicle and other belongings.

• Equip your residence with home security devices. Every home should have a few select security devices to help deter and prevent intruders from accessing your personal property. Such devices include motion-activated security lights, an alarm system, a wireless surveillance system, heavy-duty deadbolts, and break-in prevention tools. One such device is the OnGARD security door brace, which can prevent forcible entries through entry doors that swing inward. Like your vehicle, your home also has glass windows that need protecting by security glass protection film like BurglarGARD.
• Equip your vehicle with an auto tracking device. Vehicles equipped with GPS tracking devices have a much higher chance of being located and recovered. Many vehicle tracking devices include telematics technology, which provides real-time alerts and allows owners to track their vehicles from their smart phone or a computer. 

Don’t Become Another Auto Theft Statistic

If you’re like most people, your vehicle isn’t just a means of transportation, it’s an essential part of your live that you feel emotionally connected to. So, take action now to protect your vehicle instead of waiting for someone to steal it. Take preventative measures today to ensure you don’t become the next auto theft statistic. While you’re at it, share what you learned from this article to help those you care about protect against auto theft crime.