July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention
Month
OAK
BROOK, Ill., July 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Vehicle theft rates have risen steadily since 2019,
and last year, more than 1 million vehicles were reported stolen,
which accounted for an increase of about one percent nationwide.
Vehicle thefts increased from 1,008,756 in 2022 to
1,020,729 in 2023., with California accounting for the highest number
of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2023 with 208,668 vehicles reported
stolen.
To combat this nationwide epidemic, the National Insurance Crime
Bureau (NICB), the nation's leading not-for-profit organization
dedicated to identifying, investigating, preventing, and deterring
insurance fraud and crime, and the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are raising
awareness during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month to
promote education, and encourage collaboration between law
enforcement and vehicle owners.
"Preventing vehicle theft shouldn't just fall on law
enforcement, because there are basic, common sense steps each of us
can take to prevent this crime of opportunity," said NICB
President and CEO David J.
Glawe. "It may sound simple, but a surprising number of
vehicle thefts occur because owners forget to lock their doors or
leave their keys inside. Taking a few seconds to ensure your
vehicle is securely locked can significantly reduce its
vulnerability to theft. Second, anti-theft devices like
steering wheel locks, electronic immobilizers, and numerous
aftermarket security systems can serve as effective deterrents
against vehicle theft."
"More than 1 million families a year have their vehicles stolen,
and we all pay the price for vehicle theft through rising insurance
premiums and law enforcement costs. There are simple steps we can
all take to secure our vehicles, including never leaving a vehicle
running unattended, and locking your car every time. National
Vehicle Theft Prevention Month reminds us to act all year to
prevent these crimes of opportunity and safeguard one of the most
expensive purchases that families will ever make," NHTSA Deputy
Administrator Sophie Shulman
said.
Earlier this year, NICB released a vehicle theft trend analysis,
which indicated that the U.S. is still experiencing a surge in
vehicle theft rates that started at the onset of the pandemic.
According to NHTSA, estimates show that approximately one vehicle
is stolen every 31 seconds in the United
States, which costs vehicle owners more than $8 billion annually.
"By raising awareness, promoting education, fostering
collaboration, and leveraging new anti-theft technology, we can
work towards reducing vehicle theft rates and create safer
communities for Americans across the country," Glawe
said.
NICB helps coordinate efforts by vehicle manufacturers to
identify vehicles that are frequently stolen to reduce vehicle
theft, and partners with state and federal law enforcement agencies
to disrupt criminal networks and help recover stolen vehicles for
member companies. It also participates in federal, state and local
task forces, fusion centers, and intelligence groups to deter
vehicle theft and works strategically with lawmakers and regulators
in all 50 states and U.S. territories to boost efforts by insurers
and law enforcement to fight insurance fraud crime
trends.
NICB and NHTSA recommend the following tips to help prevent
vehicle thefts:
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
- Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or
trunk.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
- Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
- If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your
insurer immediately because reporting a vehicle as soon as possible
after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.
If your vehicle is stolen:
Report your vehicle as stolen immediately to
police:
- According to NICB data, 34 percent of recovered stolen
vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45 percent
are recovered within two days. Reporting the theft to law
enforcement also provides a record to show to your insurer.
Report your stolen vehicle to your insurer:
- Often, insurers need a police report before honoring a
claim.
Be prepared to provide important vehicle
information:
- You will need to provide the make/model of the vehicle, color,
license plate number, as well as the vehicle's VIN number. (The VIN
can be found on your insurance policy documentation or on the proof
of insurance card, driver-side of the dashboard under the
windshield, or driver-side door or doorjamb.)
- The process for filing a stolen vehicle report to your insurer
could be over the phone, online, or even directly to your insurance
agent.
Learn more about reporting stolen vehicles here.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud,
call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB.
For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention visit
NICB.org or NHTSA.gov/theft.
About the National Insurance Crime
Bureau: Headquartered in Oak
Brook, Ill., the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is
the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively
dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through
Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime
Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported
by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and
self-insured organizations. To learn more, visit NICB.org.
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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau