FOR RELEASE:
June, 2001

LITTLE CHANGE PREDICTED IN STATEWIDE AUTO THEFTS

COLUMBUS - For the second time in the last three years, Columbus edged out Cleveland as the Ohio city with the highest number of reported vehicle thefts.  The Columbus Police Department reported 7,183 stolen vehicles in 2000, the highest in the state, compared to 6,822 in 1999 and 7,343 in 1998.  Cleveland, the city historically with the highest number of thefts, reported 6,139 vehicles stolen in 2000, a 17% decrease from 7,410 in 1999 when it held the number one spot.  Cleveland reported 7,206 thefts in 1998.

Based on a 17-city police department survey of vehicles stolen in 2000 conducted by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII), Cleveland and Dayton shared the top spot where residents are most likely to become an auto theft statistic.  Both cities averaged one vehicle theft for every 53 registered.

According to OII survey results, the state's overall auto theft picture may be leveling off.  There was a slight increase in theft activity in Ohio's major metro areas between 1999 and 2000.   Based on these results, OII projects virtually no change (0.1% increase) in the number of statewide vehicle thefts between 1999 and 2000.     "The decline in statewide auto thefts began in 1992," said Daniel J. Kelso, OII president.  "This seems to mirror the national trend which has shown a decline for the past nine years."

OII estimates that there were 39,214 auto thefts in Ohio last year, up slightly from the 1999 FBI Uniform Crime Report figure of 39,192.  The statewide estimate is computed by determining the change in auto theft experience among the reporting police departments between 1999 and 2000.  The percentage change is then applied to the 1999 statewide auto theft figure to develop the 2000 estimate.

"Although the number of thefts may have stabilized, what we are seeing is an increase in the value of vehicles stolen," noted Kelso.  "As the cost of buying a new car increases, so does the economic value of theft-related claims."

The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 1999 was $6,104, up 1.2% from the 1998 average of $6,030.   The value of unrecovered vehicles in 2000 approached $79 million, according to OII estimates.  This estimate is lower than the 1999 figure of $87 million due to the vehicle recovery rate increasing from 65% in 1998 to 67% in 1999, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reports.

Based on police department theft figures, seven cities reported decreases between 1999 and 2000, ranging from 1.5% to 39.1%.  Of the cities reporting decreases, Elyria had the greatest percentage change-down 39.1%-as a result of reducing thefts from 174 in 1999 to 106 in 2000.  Two other cities experienced decreases in auto theft exceeding 20% between 1999 and 2000-Springfield (26.8%) and Youngstown (23.3%).   Of the 17 surveyed cities, Lorain claims title to the best theft-to-vehicle ratio, with 1 theft for every 617 registered vehicles.

Statewide results also mirror the national trend in that auto theft rates continue to be highest in urban areas.

"Compared to 1999, ten of the 17 surveyed cities showed some degree of auto theft increase in 2000," Kelso said.  "Akron, Canton, Cincinnati and Parma all experienced double-digit theft increases during this period."

Cincinnati showed a 56% increase between 1999 and 2000 - the greatest percentage increase in the state.  Parma showed the second greatest jump with an increase of 16.2%.

A comparison of 2000 thefts to vehicle registrations, according to OII estimates, indicates one vehicle stolen for every 299 registered in the state (Click Here for 1998-2000 information by city), improving from the 1999 ratio of one theft for every 278 vehicles.  1998 figures reflected one theft for every 265 registered vehicles.

"There are ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies, car manufacturers and the insurance industry to reduce auto theft," explained Kelso.  "In addition, consumers are all too aware of the cost of auto theft and are taking precautionary measures from locking their cars to adding antitheft devices."

The Consumer Electronics Association predicts that consumers will spend about $227 million in 2001 to protect vehicles from theft, compared to the $152 million spent in 1995.

The Ohio Insurance Institute is a public information and trade association representing insurance companies and agent groups for the property/casualty insurance industry.  A primary objective of the OII is to help Ohioans achieve a better understanding of insurance and related safety issues.

- 30 -

AUTO THEFT KEY FACTS

• Every 27 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the US, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
• In 1999, the odds of a vehicle being stolen in the US was 1 for every 189 registered vehicles (FBI Uniform Crime Reports).  Ohio's estimated 2000 ratio is 1 for every 299 (compared to 1 for every 278 in 1999).
• Car thief apprehension is relatively low.  Only 15% of 1999 thefts were cleared by arrests.
• At least 12 states require insurers to give car owners discounts on their comprehensive insurance for passive antitheft devices, such as ignition cutoff switches and some types of alarms that are automatically activated when the car is locked.  Although not required by law, many Ohio insurers offer such discounts.
• Insurer discounts range from 5% off the comprehensive portion of the auto insurance premium up to 30% for devices that automatically activate when the car is locked and don't require driver activation.
• According to FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, it's estimated that 67% of autos stolen in 1999 were recovered.
• According to a 2000 CCC Information Services study, the Toyota Camry was the most stolen vehicle in the US for the 4th straight year.  The most frequently stolen vehicles in terms of the number of cars for each particular model year are the 1989-91 Toyota Camry's (1st, 2nd, 3rd) followed by the 1998 Camry.  The fifth most frequently stolen vehicle was the 1994 Honda Accord EX.  The study showed that imported autos remain the most popular for car thieves - especially Hondas, Toyotas and Acuras.  The most frequently stolen domestic vehicle was the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 4X2 Pickup truck.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that in 1999 the top 10 stolen cars in Ohio were domestics with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/Ciera remaining the most frequently stolen vehicle, followed by Chevrolet's Cavalier.  Its study ranks the vehicles most often stolen regardless of model year.