This is a rhetorical question. Is it because of COVID that the nation is seeing more crime or is it coincidental? Something to think about for sure. The crime in this story is vehicle theft.
It’s rising.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) annual Hot Spots report says five of the 10 states with the most vehicle theft are PIA Western Alliance states. They are California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Nevada.
The NICB says in 2021 — the latest year for statistics — auto thefts increased 6%. In 2020 that figure jumped 20% compared to 2019. So while the number is dropping, a 6% rise is still significant and should be a big concern to most of us.
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud has figures that says auto theft costs consumers and businesses something like $7.4 billion a year.
NICB president and CEO, David Glaw said the biggest number of thefts belongs to California. However, when it comes to looking at the percentage of thefts one year to the next, Colorado reigns. Colorado saw a 32% jump.
“For many of us, cars are essential to our livelihoods and the welfare of our families,” Glawe said. “NICB, along with our partners in law enforcement, are proactively working to prevent and deter vehicle theft, but vehicle owners can take simple steps to empower themselves.”
Here is the list the NICB put together:
1. Colorado
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 661.21
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 502:12
2. Washington D.C.
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 651
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 562.98
3. California
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 320.04
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 475.24
4. New Mexico
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 475.50
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 426.19
5. Oregon
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 417.16
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 385.08
6. Washington
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 461.91
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 368.46
7. Missouri
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 428.13
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 453.63
8. Nevada
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 426.75
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 365.84
9. Oklahoma
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 359.33
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 371.28
10. Texas
2021 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 320.04
2020 theft rate per 100,000 residents: 318.52
You may want to share this information from the NICB with your auto insurance clients if you have them.
- Always practice good security hygiene
- Make sure your auto policy is up to date.
- Roll up your windows, lock your doors, and take the keys or fob
- Park in well-lit areas and, when possible, areas staffed by security
- Park personal vehicles in a garage. If not possible, and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights.
- While lights may not provide complete security, they may make some thieves think twice
Source link: PropertyCasualty360.com — http://bit.ly/3GuCTrO
