Is Your Car on NICB’s Most Stolen Car List?
11 Sep 2012
Some of the most popular cars driven today tend to be targets of skilled car thieves. If you’re a Honda or Toyota owner — particularly certain 1990’s models — the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) has some bad news for you: along with several other types of cars, yours is at higher risk of getting stolen.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is an insurance company-supported non-profit organization who released a list of the 10 most stolen cars in 2011, many of which are Hondas and Toyotas. These types of vehicles made tops on the Hot Wheels – 10 most-stolen vehicles in the United States in 2011 list due in part to the ease of breaking into them, as well as the fact that 1990s models lack anti-theft features. Older car models don’t often contain the high-tech anti-theft devices or GPS tracking devices that exist in newer model vehicles.
The cars on this list are infamously easy for skilled criminals to break into, primarily those made before the 2000s. In fact, 6 out of 10 vehicles on the list were made before 2000. Criminals steal the vehicle and chop them up to sell parts; the profit from parts is most often more valuable than the car itself.
Newer car models have key code technology to keep the engine from starting if the proper key combination was not entered. However, while it’s more common for older models to be stolen, criminals are finding new ways of stealing late model vehicles.
“We are seeing a trend toward increases in the thefts of late model vehicles — ones that are theoretically harder to steal because of sophisticated key code technology,” said Joe Wehrle, the CEO and president of NICB.
The 10 most stolen cars in 2011, according to NICB, include:
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1998 Honda Civic
3. 2006 Ford Pickup (full size)
4. 1991 Toyota Camry
5. 2000 Dodge Caravan
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 1999 Chevrolet pickup (full size)
8. 2004 Dodge pickup (full size)
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1994 Nissan Sentra
How to Prevent Vehicle Theft
While there is no guarantee your car won’t be stolen, there are things that you can do to help you to avoid being a victim of car theft. Here are some precautionary steps the NICB and insurance companies recommend to help prevent thieves from driving off with your car:
1. Keep it locked. – Drivers often forgo this basic security measure when they aren’t going to be in the store long or parked in a safe neighborhood. Locking your car door may be the best way to avoid car theft from criminals looking or an easy target.
2. Install an alarm. – Spending a few hundred dollars can get you an alarm system that is effective at deterring car thieves. Just knowing your car has an alarm system may prevent an attempt.
3. Park in a well-lit spot. – Criminals tend to avoid vehicles that are in well-lit locations, as they can be easily spotted. If you have the option, park under bright street lamps or in front of businesses.
4. Keep expensive items out of sight. – Seeing a fancy new cell phone, laptop, or a purse on the passenger seat is often the only motivation a criminal needs to choose your car as a target. Keep any expensive or valuable items out of sight to prevent your car from being stolen.
5. Use a GPS tracking device. – Thanks to GPS tracking technology, you can install a handy device in your vehicle that will track down your car if it’s stolen. While you may not prevent the theft from occurring, you can get your car back quickly if you report the location to the police.
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