Property/casualty insurers may find solace in the fact that vehicle thefts in the United States are at their lowest point since 1967, chiefly due to anti-theft technology, according to the
Overall crime statistics for 2010 published in May by the FBI revealed that the number of vehicles stolen in 2010 was down 7.2% from the 794,616 stolen in 2009. In spite of a difficult economy, the figure has been on the decline for seven consecutive years, NICB notes.
"Improved anti-theft technology and law enforcement efforts have had a significant impact on thefts,” NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle, told CBS MarketWatch, but, he added, thwarting this type of crime is an ongoing challenge.
The city with the highest vehicle theft rate in 2010, according to the NICB, was Fresno, Calif., which had 7,559 auto thefts last year. The report also stated that all of the top 10 areas for vehicle theft occurred in other areas of the West Coast.
Taking lowest spot in the rankings was the State College, Pa. area, with 46 auto thefts last year.
Technology such as a visible or audible warning device, in place in most new autos, is still a deterrent for most thieves. More sophisticated technologies, such as immobilizing devices that stop would-be thieves from hot-wiring an auto, are also proving to be effective. Other deterrents, such as steering wheel or brake pedal locks, and theft deterrent decals, as well as steering column collars, wheel locks, identification markers in or on the vehicle, VIN etching and micro dot marking, help thwart crime.
