FOR RELEASE: July 26, 2002
7-07-02

FOR INFORMATION:
Mary Bonelli/Mitch Wilson, 614-228-1593
After hours: Mary/614-443-0400; Mitch/614-868-0575

10% INCREASE IN STATEWIDE AUTO THEFTS

COLUMBUS—Ohio auto thefts took a double-digit leap for the first time since 1990 according to survey results released by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII). OII estimates that statewide auto thefts increased 10.8% between 2000-2001. This jump in theft experience is only second to the 12.1% increase reported by the OII between 1989-1990.

Ohio's auto theft picture reflects the overall national trend. After eight years of annual decreases (1992-1999), the number of vehicles reported stolen in the US increased 1.2% between 1999-2000, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.

Based on results from OII's 17-city police department survey of stolen vehicles in 2001, Dayton is where you'll experience the greatest chance of becoming an auto theft statistic in Ohio. In Dayton there was one theft for every 46 registered vehicles in the city, almost the same ratio—1 in 47—as in 2000. Cleveland dropped to the number two slot with a theft-to-registered vehicle ratio of 1 in 56—a slight improvement from its 2000 ratio of 1 theft for every 53 registered vehicles. Cincinnati had the third highest ratio, averaging one theft for every 64 registered vehicles.

Survey results found Ohio's major metro area auto theft activity ranged from a decrease of 32.2% in Youngstown, to an increase of 52% in Cincinnati between 2000-2001. Based on the 17-city auto theft survey, OII projects a 10.8% increase in the number of statewide vehicle thefts between 2000-2001.
"The last time we saw an increase in statewide auto thefts was 10 years ago," said Daniel J. Kelso, OII president. "Beginning in 1992, Ohio's steady decline in auto theft activity followed the national trend."

OII estimates that there were 43,250 auto thefts in Ohio last year, up significantly from the 2000 FBI Uniform Crime Reports figure of 39,026. The statewide estimate is determined by the change in auto theft experience among the reporting police departments between 2000-2001. The percentage change is then applied to the 2000 statewide auto theft figure to develop the 2001 estimate.

"This sizeable increase in auto theft estimates comes as a surprise," noted Kelso. "Insurers speculate that the increase in thefts is partially due to current economic uncertainties—when you tend to see an increase in certain types of crime—as well as the reassignment of law enforcement officials from auto theft task forces."

The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 2000 was $6,682, up 9.5% from the 1999 average of $6,104. The value of unrecovered vehicles in 2001 exceeded $109.2 million, according to OII estimates. The nation's vehicle recovery rate dropped from 67% in 1999 to 62.2% in 2000.

Based on the police department theft figures provided to OII, seven cities reported decreases between 2000-2001, ranging from 1.0% to 32.2%. Of the cities reporting decreases, Youngstown had the greatest percentage drop-down 32.2%-as a result of reducing thefts from 650 in 2000 to 441 in 2001. Three other cities experienced double-digit decreases in auto theft-Lorain (25%), Euclid (16.6%) and Parma (11.3%). Of the 17 cities, Parma claims title to the best theft-to-vehicle ratio, with 1 theft for every 582 registered vehicles.
"Compared to 2000, ten of the 17 surveyed cities showed some degree of auto theft increase in 2001," Kelso said. "Akron, Cincinnati, Lima, Springfield, Toledo and Warren all experienced theft increases exceeding 25% during this period. Usually we see one or two cities with this degree of fluctuation, not a half-dozen."

Cincinnati showed a 52% increase between 2000 and 2001, the highest percentage increase in the state. Akron (43%) and Warren (42.5%) were second and third respectively among cities experiencing auto theft percentage increases. Warren also reported a large increase in auto thefts between 1998-1999, when auto thefts rose 43.5% (138 reported thefts in 1998 and 198 in 1999). In contrast, Cincinnati had a large dip in thefts between 1998-1999, a 23.4% decrease, with 2,164 thefts reported in 1998 compared to 1,658 in 1999.

An OII comparison of 2001 thefts to vehicle registrations indicates one vehicle stolen for every 275 registered in the state (see page 3 for 1999-2001 information by city), worse than the 2000 (one theft for every 299) and 1999 (one theft for every 278) ratios.

"There are ongoing efforts by car manufacturers, law enforcement and the insurance industry to reduce auto theft," explained Kelso. "Consumers are all too aware of the cost of auto theft and are taking precautionary measures from locking their cars to adding antitheft devices. Many newer makes and models come equipped with antitheft systems and stereo units. Insurers recognize the value of such systems and offer auto insurance premium discounts for this added level of protection."

The Consumer Electronics Association estimates that consumers spent about $227 million in 2001 to protect vehicles from theft, compared to the $142 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.

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AUTO THEFT KEY FACTS

• Every 27 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the US, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
• In 2000, the odds of a vehicle being stolen in the US was 1 for every 196 registered vehicles (FBI Uniform Crime Reports). Ohio's estimated 2001 ratio is 1 for every 275 (compared to 1 for every 299 in 2000).
• Car thief apprehension is relatively low. Only 14.1% of 2000 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 62.2% of autos stolen in 2000 were recovered.
• According to a 2001 CCC Information Services study, the Toyota Camry was the most stolen vehicle in the US for the 5th straight year. The most frequently stolen vehicles in terms of the number of cars for each particular model year are the 1991, 1989 and 1990 Toyota Camry (1st, 2nd, 3rd) followed by the 2000 Honda Civic SI. The fifth most frequently stolen vehicle was the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 Pickup - the only US-built vehicle to make the Top 10 list. The study showed that Toyota and Honda models make up 16 of the top 20 most-stolen vehicles. Honda Accords remain the most stolen vehicle regardless of model year.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that in 2000, the top 10 stolen cars in Ohio were domestics with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/Ciera remaining the most frequently stolen, followed by the Delta 88/Royale model.

1 1999 & 2000 FBI Uniform Crime Reports; 2001 numbers from OII survey of city police departments.
2 Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
3 Computation of loss figures: FBI Uniform Crime Reports estimated 62.2% of the autos stolen in 2000 were recovered, which means 37.8% of vehicles stolen were not recovered. The FBI also estimated that the unrecovered stolen autos had an average value of $6,682. To obtain the "Direct Losses-Value of Unrecovered Vehicles" estimates, 37.8% of the number of 2001 motor vehicle thefts for a given city was multiplied by the average dollar amount ($6,682). These computations do not take into consideration costs associated with damage to the stolen but recovered vehicles, law enforcement, court administration, injuries, or damage to other property.
4 Cities not listed in FBI Uniform Crime Reports—These numbers supplied by city police departments.
5 OII estimate based on figures supplied from OII survey of city police departments.