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3 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Auto Theft

Imagine what it would be like to head to a restaurant or movie some Friday or Saturday night, only to find that the vehicle you drove to get there had disappeared. For thousands of Americans every year, this isn't just a bad dream ─ it's a living nightmare.

In 2024, 850,708 vehicles were reported stolen to local authorities, according to the National Crime Insurance Bureau. Although this is a decrease from the 1 million vehicles stolen in 2023, the number remains shocking.

No one wants to be victimized by crime, particularly the automotive variety, as important possessions are often left behind in a vehicle's interior that can be life-altering if tampered with. What's more, an automobile may be one of the biggest purchases people make in their lifetime.

To avoid being the target of auto theft, the NICB offers a few basic tips:

 

Install an authentic alarm system

Today, many vehicles come with programs already installed that send out an audible horn honk or squeal when car door locks are tampered with. But because these often turn out to be false alarms - stemming frequently from young children playing with their parents' key fobs - they're not as effective as they used to be, simply because passersby have grown accustomed to them being false alarms. The NICB recommends implementing a theft-avoidance system with some teeth. Examples include steering column collars, brake locks, VIN etching and micro dot marking. VIN etching has proven to be an effective countermeasure because a car's vehicle identification number winds up deterring thieves from stealing, once the VIN has been stenciled onto other parts of the vehicle. When parts are stamped with a VIN, they're less valuable on the black market.

 

Use common sense

It ought to go without saying, but you should always lock the doors and close the windows whenever you're away from your vehicle. This includes when you're at home and the car is in the driveway. Thieves are increasingly brazen and will frequently penetrate a car's interior when cars are parked in owners' own backyards. Additionally, be sure to always remove the keys from the ignition, as this too is something that drivers will forget to do from time to time. This is especially true during winter, when motorists warm up the car before heading to work. In many states, it's illegal to have your car running when it's unattended. Washington and Oregon are among them.

 

Consider purchasing immobilizing device

A thief doesn't always need a key to make off with a vehicle. Many are well versed in auto mechanics and can "hot-wire" cars they target, bypassing the traditional ignition method by reconfiguring internal circuitry. Fortunately, there are a variety of tools that can prevent thieves from using this stratagem. Among other devices, NICB recommends smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches and fuel pump disablers. These are widely available online or you may want to ask your insurer about devices that it suggests to prevent auto theft.

 

Where is auto theft taking place?

No state is immune to automotive-related crimes, but recently California has seen the most incidences with 181,571 vehicles reported stolen there in 2024, according to the NICB. On a per-capita basis, Washington ranks the highest with about 842 thefts per 100,000 residents. Overall, however, auto theft decreased nationally from 2023 to 2024 by 17 percent, a huge improvement that is generally credited to “increased anti-theft measures, expanded availability of vehicle parts and teamwork between law enforcement agencies and vehicle manufacturers,” reports Bankrate.

"Your car is the portable extension of your home ─ it's where you go when you're on the go," says Brian Daubert, personal lines sales director at Marsh McLennan Agency. "You work hard to accumulate the assets you have, which is why at MMA, we work to make sure that in the event of a loss, you have the right protection to replace those assets. Call an agent now for a review of your current protection plan."

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