FOR RELEASE: February 26, 2004

FOR INFORMATION: Mary Bonelli/Mitch Wilson: 614.228.1593
After hours: Mary/614.443.0400; Mitch/614.868.0575

SLIGHT INCREASE IN 2002 AUTO THEFTS

COLUMBUS – A recent analysis shows a minimal increase in 2002 Ohio auto thefts according to statistics and survey results released by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII). Results indicate that auto thefts increased 1.3% statewide between 2001 and 2002.

Ohio’s auto theft picture reflects the overall national trend which tracked a 1.4% increase between 2001-2002. Prior to 2000, national figures indicated an eight-year period of auto theft decreases (1992–1999), then a 1.2% increase between 1999-2000, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.

The analysis of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports in conjunction with OII’s 17-city police department survey of stolen vehicles in 2002 shows that 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 54 registered vehicles in the city, an improvement from 2001’s ratio of one in 46 vehicles. Auto theft-wise, Dayton’s ratio isn’t much worse than Cleveland’s – 1 in 58 – or Cincinnati’s – 1 in 59. In the previous OII comparison, Cleveland had a ratio of 1 in 56 while Cincinnati averaged one theft for every 64 registered vehicles.

The comparison indicates the Buckeye state’s major metro area auto theft activity ranged from a decrease of 34.9% in Lorain, to an increase of 50.3% in Lima between 2001–2002. During this period, Ohio averaged a 1.3% increase in auto thefts. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports shows statewide thefts were 42,229 in 2001 and 42,767 in 2002.

The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 2002 was $6,701, up from the 2001 figure of $6,646. The value of unrecovered vehicles in 2002 exceeded $105.7 million, according to OII calculations. The nation’s vehicle recovery rate improved from 62.2% in 2001 to 63.1% in 2002.

Based on OII’s analysis, eight cities reported decreases between 2001–2002 ranging from 3% to 34.9%. Of the cities reporting decreases, Lorain had the greatest percentage drop–down 34.9%–as a result of reducing thefts from 149 in 2001 to 97 in 2002. Five other cities experienced double-digit decreases in auto theft–Warren (30.7%), Dayton (20.2%), Canton (16.3%), Toledo (14.3%) and Akron (11.1%). Along with having the largest percentage decrease, Lorain also claims title to the best theft-to-vehicle ratio, with 1 theft for every 619 registered vehicles in 2002.

“Compared to 2001, nine of the 17 cities evaluated showed some degree of auto theft increase in 2002,” said Daniel J. Kelso, OII president. “Lima, Springfield, Euclid and Cincinnati all experienced theft increases exceeding 20% during this period.”

Lima showed a 50.3% increase between 2001 and 2002, the highest percentage increase in the state. Springfield (27.2%), Euclid (25.8%), and Cincinnati (20.3%) ranked second through fourth respectively among cities experiencing auto theft percentage increases.

An OII comparison of 2002 thefts to vehicle registrations indicates one vehicle stolen for every 282 registered in the state (see page 3 for 2000–2002 information by city), a slight improvement from the 2001 ratio of 1 in 275 yet somewhat worse than the 2000 ratio (one theft for every 299).

“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 $265 million in 2002 to protect vehicles from theft, compared to the $205 million spent in 1999.

The Ohio Insurance Institute is a 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 25.3 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the US, according to FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.

• In 2001, the odds of a vehicle being stolen in the US was 1 for every 194 registered vehicles (FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports). Ohio’s 2002 ratio was 1 theft for every 282 vehicles (1 for every 275 in 2001).

• Car thief apprehension is relatively low. Only 13.8% of 2002 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 63.1% of autos stolen in 2002 were recovered.

• According to a 2002 CCC Information Services study, the 1989 Toyota Camry was the most stolen vehicle in the US for 4 of the last 5 years. The most frequently stolen vehicles in terms of the number of cars for each particular model year are the 1989, 1991 and 1990 Toyota Camry (1st, 2nd, 3rd) followed by the 2000 Honda Civic SI. The fifth most frequently stolen vehicle was the 1994 Honda Accord EX. The Chevrolet C1500 4x2 Pickup – ranking 6th – is the only US-built vehicle to make CCC’s Top 10 list. CCC provides data on the top stolen vehicles in the Ohio.

• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that in 2002, the top 10 stolen cars in Ohio were domestics with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/Ciera remaining the most frequently stolen, followed by the Buick Century. NICBs national and state 2002 auto theft statistics were released on February 26, 2004.  Broadcasters: Visit www.nicb.org for times and coordinates for B-roll feeds 

OII's 2000-2002 Ohio city auto theft statistics

OII's 1998–2000 Ohio city auto theft statistics