Vehicle Theft Prevention: What Consumers Should Know 

Motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for most of us, and often an indispensable part of our lives. But what would happen if your vehicle suddenly disappeared?

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 Vehicle Theft Prevention

 
REDUCING MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Insurance and rental/leasing companies are vital partners with consumers and law enforcement in reducing the number of vehicle thefts every year and decreasing overall losses from vehicle theft. This fact sheet summarizes NHTSA's key insights from the most recent reports and arms companies, citizens and law enforcement with the information they need to educate people in their communities and to promote vehicle theft prevention. Read the full report here.
A MOTOR VEHICLE IS STOLEN EVERY 46 SECONDS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The top 10 stolen vehicles in CY 2014:
1. Honda Accord
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry		 4. General Motors Silverado
5. Ford F150
6. Ford Econoline		 7. Ford 250
8. Nissan Altima
9. Toyota Corolla
10. General Motors GMT-400
DID YOU KNOW?
  • Nearly half of vehicle theft is due to driver error.
  • The top two months for vehicle thefts are July and August.
  • There were 689,527 vehicles reported stolen in the United States in 2014.
  • Nearly 45 percent of stolen vehicles are never recovered.
USE COMMON SENSE WHEN PARKING AND EXITING YOUR VEHICLE.
  • Take your key; don't leave it in or on your vehicle.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
  • Park in well-lit areas - in a garage, if possible.
  • Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and specially in sight.
WE ARE ALL SUSCEPTIBLE TO VEHICLE THEFT.
Top 10 States for most vehicles stolen in CY 2014:
1. California
2. Texas		 3. Florida
4. Washington
 5. Georgia
6. Illinois
 7. New York
8. Ohio		 9. Arizona
10. Missouri
THIEVES WANT PARTS AND VALUABLE  ITEMS, TOO.
Radios and wheel covers aren't the only popular stolen vehicle parts thieves take. They want whatever sells, from the mandated labeled parts to those that aren't. Among some of the most popular parts or items left in vehicles are: engines, transmissions, air bags, radios, GPS units, phones/iPads, laptops, and purses.