Are you driving a car that’s among the most stolen vehicles? Is that why your insurance rates are extremely high? Can you protect your vehicle from theft?
Some cars are much easier to steal than others, and some have become so easy to take that viral videos appeared on social media almost daring those without a conscious or subjected to peer pressure to steal them. If you are driving one of the most stolen vehicles in the country, you might want to understand how to protect your vehicle from theft.
What cars are stolen the most?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)releases its “Hot Wheels” report annually, and it’s not a list of the coolest toy cars you can find at your local store. This is a report of the vehicles that are stolen the most often, and the list is a bit alarming.
The top five models on the “Hot Wheels” report are:
2000 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a popular target for thieves, with 38,426 models stolen in the United States in 2018. Of those vehicles, 5,290 were from the 2000 model year, which made it the most stolen model year, make, and model in the country. Despite the popularity, affordability, and ease of use, returning to the parking lot to find your car has been stolen can be extremely frustrating and disheartening for anyone.
1997 Honda Accord
Honda took the top two spots on the list in 2018, which is a bit if a dubious honor. There were 36,815 Honda Accord thefts that year and 5,029 of them were 1997 models. This is another of the most popular Honda cars sold, but when its among the most stolen vehicles in the country, it might be time to think about driving a different car.
2006 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is the top-selling vehicle in America and has been for many years. In 2018, 36,355 versions of this truck were stolen in the United States and 3,173 of those were 2006 models This model continues to be a top-selling truck and is the third most likely vehicle to be stolen. In fact, these numbers reflect an increase in thefts of this truck from the previous year.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado
The fourth-most stolen vehicle is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, which was swiped from owners 2,097 times in 2018. Overall, during that year, 31,566 Silverado trucks were stolen and the numbers rose from the previous year, making this one of the most stolen vehicles in the country.
2017 Toyota Camry
The 2017 Toyota Camry was in high demand, and the following year, it found itself among the top five cars stolen. In 2018, there were 16,906 Camrys stolen, and 1,144 of them were from the 2017 mode year, which rounds out the top five of the “Hot Wheels.”
How can you prevent your car from being stolen?
Considering the top five vehicles that were stolen in 2018 are five of the most popular vehicles overall, it might sound like you’re fighting a losing battle, but that’s not the case. Here are some tips to help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Use Common Sense
Do you have your keys? Are the doors locked and the windows up? Did you park in a well-lit area that’s relatively close to the storefront? These questions should help you begin the theft prevention measures required to avoid your car being stolen.
Use Warning Devices
Thieves don’t want to be seen. They want to get your car without anyone knowing they’ve stolen the vehicle. If you use audible and visual signals, there’s a good chance your car will still be where you left it, even if a potential thief trips your alarms.
Add a Tracing Device
A well-placed tracking device could be the difference between your car becoming a statistic and being recovered. When you drive one of the most stolen vehicles in the country, this could be a necessary step. Small tracking devices that aren’t wired into the car can be very effective at helping authorities recover your vehicle.
What do you drive? Considering the top five vehicles stolen only a few years ago were among the top-selling models in the country, you might be a likely target for car theft. If you happen to drive one of the most stolen vehicles in the country, you’ll want to take some preventative measures to ensure your vehicle is not a tempting target for car thieves. Keep your vehicle safe and secure, and enjoy driving it for many years.
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