National Auto Theft Statistics

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that 2009 marked the nation's sixth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts in the United States.

Preliminary 2009 crime data released by the FBI in December indicates that 2009 vehicle theft may drop by as much as 18 percent from 2008's numbers once the final figures are tabulated in the fall.

In 2008, U.S. motor vehicle thefts declined 12.7 percent when compared with data from 2007, 22.7 percent when compared with 2004 figures, and 16.9 percent when compared with 1999 figures.

Using the FBI's average valuation of $6,751 per stolen vehicle, the 956,846 vehicles stolen during 2008 caused estimated property losses of $6.4 billion.

Only 12 percent of thefts were cleared, either by arrests or by exceptional means, in 2008. (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.

According to the FBI, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 33 seconds.

Auto theft is covered by the optional "comprehensive" coverage on your auto policy. The average comprehensive insurance premium in the U.S. fell 3.3% from $145.16 in 2005 to $140.38 in 2006 (the most recent data available), according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (Insurance Information Institute)

Carjackings occur most frequently in urban areas. They accounted for only 3.0 percent of all motor vehicle thefts, based on Department of Justice data from 1993 to 2002 (latest available).

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 366 metro areas.

The top 10 metro areas with highest auto theft rates in 2009:

1. Laredo, TX
2. Modesto, CA
3. Bakersfield, CA
4. Stockton, CA
5. Fresno, CA
6. Yakima, WA
7. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA
8. Visalia/Porterville, CA
9. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV
10. Albuquerque, NM

The top 10 states with the highest number of auto thefts in 2008:

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

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