Vehicle Theft Prevention: What Consumers Should Know

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.

A MOTOR VEHICLE IS STOLEN EVERY 44 SECONDS IN THE UNITED STATES.

The top ten reported stolen vehicles from NHTSA’s 2010 theft rate data compilation are:

DID YOU KNOW?

• 40-50% of vehicle theft is due to driver error.
• The top two months for vehicle thefts are July and August.
• Only about 52% of stolen vehicles are 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.

The ten (10) U.S. States with the most stolen vehicles are:

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: engine, transmission, air bags, radios, GPS units, iPods, laptops, and purses.