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US Auto Thefts

The FBI estimates that a car is stolen every 25 seconds somewhere in the US. From 1990 through 2000, the number of US motor vehicle thefts reported decreased from the previous year’s figure. During 2000-2003, vehicle thefts rose in the US. FBI statistics show that 1,260,471 autos were stolen in the US during 2003, a 0.1% increase from 2002’s 1,246,646 thefts. The US estimated value of vehicle theft approached $8.6 billion in 2003.

2003 monthly figures reveal the highest percentage of vehicles was stolen during July and August, while February was lowest. Historically, the number of thefts is highest in the nation’s most heavily populated metropolitan areas.

Auto thief profiles

The profiles of auto thieves are noteworthy. Some continue to be the small-time hoodlums or “joy riders.” Others likely are associated with organized crime. According to the FBI, in 2003 there were an estimated 152,934 arrests for motor vehicle thefts. 62.3% of those arrested were under age 25, and those under 18 comprised 29.1% of the total. 83.4% of those arrested in 2003 were male.

Theft facts

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a stolen vehicle will likely resurface in the marketplace. The second time, however, it will most likely be piecemeal, compliments of a “chop shop.” These steal-to-order garages slice and strip stolen vehicles for any unmarked salvageable part that can be resold. It takes skilled cutters only about 30–45 minutes to reduce a car into salable parts.

Fraud also plays a role in the auto theft picture. According to NICB conservative estimates, 10% of vehicle theft reports countrywide are fraudulent. Reports may be filed on cars that never existed or were actually sold or destroyed.

NICB released Hot Spots 2004, a report pinpointing cities and their auto theft activity, in August 2005. In the US, seven California cities ranked in the top 10 countrywide. US statistics are available at www.nicb.org/public/newsroom/hotspots/hotspots.cfm. NICB’s figures regarding select Ohio cities are available at www.nicb.org/public/newsroom/hotspots/msastats.cfm?state=oh#stateinfo.

Theft prevention measures

Much is being done to prevent auto theft—new federal standards, stronger door latches, increased use of key combinations, warning buzzers, design changes, better identification and documentation, and other security improvements have contributed.

Law enforcement agencies also have sophisticated “hardware” to aid in the reduction of auto theft. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) enables police to immediately verify the identification of any vehicle they suspect to be stolen. NCIC is a computerized system, operated by the FBI, serving all law enforcement agencies in the US. The system’s stolen vehicle files allow agencies to immediately enter stolen vehicle reports and to access existing records. The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) offers subscribers access to its claims database, which tracks auto theft information from thousands of insurers. Click here for details about ISO’s ClaimSearch system.

Theft prevention technology

NHTSA already requires vehicle manufacturers to mark and identify many vehicle parts. Recent technology involves spraying microdots on auto parts. Nearly 10,000 tiny dots containing a unique ID code – impossible to remove – are applied to each auto part. Nissan Motors of North America, the first US manufacturer to use this system, implemented the process after facing high theft of xenon headlights from their Maxima model.

Each year, consumers spend hundreds of millions of dollars on vehicle security devices. Electronic tracking devices, like LoJack (www.lojack.com or 800.456.5225), use a hidden transmitter to allow law enforcement officials to track the vehicle. Tracking devices like these assist law enforcement in locating stolen vehicles, as well as lead them to chop shops. LoJack is available in Ohio (September 2005) and operates in 23 states and DC.

Portions excerpted from "Issues Updates," Insurance Information Institute

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 1991–2003

The Highway Loss Data Institute reports that the 2002-2003 models of the luxury pickup, the Cadillac Escalade EXT, are the most frequently stolen vehicles, followed by Nissan Maxima (2002-2003 models) and the large luxury SUV, the Cadillac Escalade (2002-2003 models). In many cases the cars are stolen for their pricey accessories and special features such as the Maxima’s high-intensity xenon headlights.