BREAKING NEWS
Vehicle Theft
Declines for Third Year DES PLAINES, IL (Oct. 8, 2007) - Hot Wheels, the National Insurance Crime Bureau's companion study to its annual Hot Spots auto theft report, says vehicle theft declined for the third consecutive year in
2006.
'Hot' FactsIn the U.S., a vehicle is stolen every 26.4 seconds.During 2006, 1,192,809 motor vehicles were reported stolen, 42,417 fewer than in 2005. Only 59 percent of stolen vehicles are recovered, the lowest rate in a decade.Over $7.9 billion in losses occurred in 2006 (based on the FBI's average valuation of $6,649 per stolen vehicle)."The decrease in vehicle thefts is certainly welcome news to law enforcement, the insurance industry and vehicle owners nationwide," said Robert M. Bryant, NICB's President and Chief Executive Officer. "At NICB, we have been providing the latest technology in auto theft detection and recovery equipment to law enforcement agencies from California to Florida. Through the support of our member insurance companies, NICB acquires and deploys License Plate Recognition systems and bait vehicles in an effort to reduce vehicle theft. "So what happens to the over 700,000 vehicles still outstanding? The short answer is that they fuel a number of related insurance fraud and vehicle theft activities. These
include:
Exports - It is not unusual for stolen vehicles to be shipped intact to other countries where prospective buyers can have them for a fraction of what they would legitimately cost and with no questions asked. Whether enclosed in shipping containers at coastal ports or simply driven across the border into Canada, Mexico, or Central and South America, exports contribute to the tens of thousands of stolen vehicles which are never
recovered.
Most stolen vehicles
in 20061. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1991 Honda Accord
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 1994 Chevrolet 1500 Pickup
7. 1994 Nissan Sentra
8. 1994 Dodge Caravan
9. 1994 Saturn SL
10. 1990 Acura Integra(Source: National Crime Information Center)Owner Give-Ups - An owner give-up is the term that describes a vehicle that has been reported stolen by its owner when the owner is actually making a false theft report, usually motivated by economic factors. If a person owes more on a vehicle than it is worth, having it stolen allows the owner to walk away from the debt. Similarly, on a lease where the usage has exceeded the terms of the lease, a staged theft becomes an
option.
Chop Shops - A good percentage of stolen vehicles end up in chop shops, where stolen vehicles are disassembled and their parts sold to individuals, dealers, body shops -- just about anyone who has a need but lacks scruples. Thieves can often sell the individual parts from older models for more money than the vehicle is worth
intact. The NCIB recommends that vehicle owners follow a "layered approach" to auto theft prevention by employing simple, low-cost suggestions to make their vehicles less attractive to thieves. NICB's four layers of protection
are:
Common Sense - The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: locks. Lock your car and take your
keys.
Warning Devices - Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left
it.
Immobilizing Devices - "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are among the devices which are high and low tech, but extremely effective. Generally speaking, if your car won't start, it won't get
stolen.
Tracking Devices - If your vehicle is stolen, these systems help law enforcement track and recover it quickly. Some systems will even inform you if your vehicle has been moved without your knowledge.
(Source: National Insurance Crime
Bureau) 
