More than 880,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2020. That works out to one every 36 seconds and represents an eleven percent increase from the number of thefts in 2019. The rising theft rate is a disturbing problem, not only for car owners who are victims of theft, but for the public at large, since stolen cars tend to be disproportionately involved in reckless driving and hit-and-run situations.
Like discriminating car buyers, thieves tend to “shop around,” targeting certain models more than others. Yet many car owners fail to take basic precautions against auto theft and don’t realize that their insurance may not cover their loss if their vehicle does go missing.
“Auto theft saw a dramatic increase in 2020 versus 2019, in part due to the pandemic, an economic downturn, law enforcement realignment, depleted social and schooling programs, and, in still too many cases, owner complacency,” said David Glawe, president and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit allied with the insurance industry.
The NICB recently released its annual “Hot Wheels” report, listing the ten most stolen vehicles in the US. For the second year in a row, the Ford full-size pick-up leads the list:
| TOP TEN STOLEN VEHICLES OF 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| RANK | CAR | # OF THEFTS |
| 1. | FORD PICK-UP (FULL SIZE) | 44,014 |
| 2. | CHEVROLET PICK-UP (FULL SIZE) | 40,968 |
| 3. | HONDA CIVIC | 34,144 |
| 4. | HONDA ACCORD | 30,814 |
| 5. | TOYOTA CAMRY | 16,915 |
| 6. | NISSAN ALTIMA | 14,668 |
| 7. | GMC PICK-UP (FULL SIZE) | 13,016 |
| 8. | TOYOTA COROLLA | 12,515 |
| 9. | HONDA CR-V | 12,309 |
| 10. | DODGE PICK-UP (FULL SIZE) | 11,991 |
The report urges vehicle owners to take a few basic steps to prevent thefts: removing your keys, locking windows and doors, parking in a well-lit area, and purchasing devices such as audible alarms (now standard in most vehicles), GPS tracking, and immobilizing gear. If, like most drivers, your vehicle represents a substantial personal investment, you should also check your insurance coverage to make sure you won’t bear the brunt of any loss. Required liability insurance won’t cover your losses from break-in and theft; you need to have comprehensive coverage as well.
If your car is stolen, be sure to report the theft to police and your insurance company right away. That’s the best way to protect yourself from liability if the vehicle is subsequently involved in a crash — and your best shot at possibly recovering your car before it becomes another statistic.
THE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT FRANKLIN D. AZAR & ASSOCIATES
For more than thirty years the attorneys at Franklin D. Azar & Associates have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Fort Collins, Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please call the car accident attorneys at FDAzar day or night or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case
