It's National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month; Over One Million Vehicles Were Stolen in 2023

July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. To combat the nationwide epidemic of car thefts, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says it's teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help put the brakes on thefts. The partnership aims to raise awareness, promote education, and encourage collaboration between law enforcement and vehicle owners.

The NICB reports that vehicle theft rates have risen steadily since 2019, and that last year, more than 1 million vehicles were reported stolen, which accounted for an increase of about one percent nationwide. Vehicle thefts increased from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023. California accounted for the highest number of stolen vehicles nationwide in 2024, with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen. 51.7 percent of those thefts were in Southern California, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"Preventing vehicle theft shouldn't just fall on law enforcement, because there are basic, common sense steps each of us can take to prevent this crime of opportunity," said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe. "It may sound simple, but a surprising number of vehicle thefts occur because owners forget to lock their doors or leave their keys inside. Taking a few seconds to ensure your vehicle is securely locked can significantly reduce its vulnerability to theft. Second, anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, electronic immobilizers, and numerous aftermarket security systems can serve as effective deterrents against vehicle theft."

"More than 1 million families a year have their vehicles stolen, and we all pay the price for vehicle theft through rising insurance premiums and law enforcement costs. There are simple steps we can all take to secure our vehicles, including never leaving a vehicle running unattended, and locking your car every time. National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month reminds us to act all year to prevent these crimes of opportunity and safeguard one of the most expensive purchases that families will ever make," NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said.

A NICB vehicle theft trend analysis released earlier this year indicated that the U.S. is still experiencing a surge in vehicle theft rates that started at the onset of the pandemic. The NICB also cites NHTSA estimates that show that approximately one vehicle is stolen every 31 seconds in the United States, costing vehicle owners more than $8 billion annually.

"By raising awareness, promoting education, fostering collaboration, and leveraging new anti-theft technology, we can work towards reducing vehicle theft rates and create safer communities for Americans across the country," Glawe said.

The NICB says it works to combat thefts in a number of ways, including:

• helping to coordinate efforts by vehicle manufacturers to identify vehicles that are frequently stolen to reduce vehicle theft.
• partnering with state and federal law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks and help recover stolen vehicles for member companies.
• participating in federal, state and local task forces, fusion centers, and intelligence groups to deter vehicle theft.

The NICB says it also works strategically with lawmakers and regulators in all 50 states and U.S. territories to boost efforts by insurers and law enforcement to fight insurance fraud crime trends.

NICB and NHTSA recommend the following tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or trunk.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately because reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.

If your vehicle is stolen:

Report your vehicle as stolen immediately to police:

• According to NICB data, 34 percent of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45 percent are recovered within two days. Reporting the theft to law enforcement also provides a record to show to your insurer.

Report your stolen vehicle to your insurer:

• Often, insurers need a police report before honoring a claim.

Be prepared to provide important vehicle information:

• You will need to provide the make/model of the vehicle, color, license plate number, as well as the vehicle's VIN number. (The VIN can be found on your insurance policy documentation or on the proof of insurance card, driver-side of the dashboard under the windshield, or driver-side door or doorjamb.)
• The process for filing a stolen vehicle report to your insurer could be over the phone, online, or even directly to your insurance agent.

Learn more about reporting stolen vehicles here.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB.

Photo Credit: Fractal Pictures/Shutterstock.com.