Illinois, Washington state report largest rise in thefts between 2021 and 2022
DES PLAINES, Ill., March 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Law enforcement agencies and communities across the United States continue to be plagued by record and near-record levels of vehicle crime as monthly thefts nationwide consistently topped 75,000 in 2022, according to a new analysis by the According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen last year, a 7% increase from 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LX5Ag_aXOU PSA: Auto Theft (30 Seconds) 2022 Year-End Vehicle Crime Trends
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Vehicle theft data provided by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and analyzed by the NICB shows that over 250,000 thefts were reported in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone. California and Texas led the nation with the most reported stolen vehicles in 2022, and Illinois saw the largest increase of any top 10 state, with thefts increasing by an estimated 35% between 2021 and 2022. Likewise, vehicle thefts in Washington state increased by 31% over the same period.
Condition
2021 buzz
2022 totals
Percent change 2021-2022
California
201,034
202,685
1 %
Texas
95,082
105.015
10%
Washington
35,921
46,939
31%
Florida
43,250
45,973
6%
Colorado
38,570
42,237
10%
Illinois
28,677
38,649
35%
Ohio
28.107
29,913
6%
Missouri
26,630
29,345
10%
new York
23,088
28,292
23%
Georgia
26,238
26,529
1 %
*Law enforcement agencies may still be entering robberies for 2022 and these numbers are subject to change.
“We’re seeing levels of vehicle theft that we haven’t seen in almost 15 years, and there’s very little deterrent to deter criminals from committing these acts as they’re only dealing with property crimes like shoplifting,” said David J .Glawe, President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “We need to reinvest in local law enforcement, allocate the necessary resources to law enforcement and community policing programs, and implement early intervention programs given the high incidence of juvenile offenders involved in vehicle theft.”
According to a NICB analysis, the US has seen its highest vehicle theft rates since 2008, when 1.05 million vehicles were reported stolen.
Year
Estimated total number of thefts
2019
803.023
2020
888.011
2021
937,976
2022
1,001,967
“NICB works proactively with our law enforcement partners to prevent and deter vehicle theft, but vehicle owners should remain vigilant,” Glawe said. “Remember that good personal safety hygiene is a simple and effective first step we can all take to protect ourselves and our vehicles. Don’t leave your car running unattended. Always take your keys with you and, most importantly, make sure your automatic policy is up to date. It’s as simple as that.”
NICB ENCOURAGES VEHICLE OWNERS TO HEED THESE TIPS TO AVOID VEHICLE THEFT VICTIMS. Always practice good safety hygiene. Make sure your car policy is up to date. Roll up your windows, lock your doors and grab your keys or fob. Park in well-lit areas and, if possible, in areas with security guards. Park private vehicles in a garage. If this is not possible and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights. While lights may not provide complete security, it may make some thieves think twice, leaving the area and your vehicle untouched.
If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately. If you report a vehicle as soon as possible after the theft, the chance of recovery increases.
If you think you have been the victim of a scam, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB. For more information, visit the NICB website at www.NICB.org.
REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information about insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or by submitting a form on our website.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU: Headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, the NICB is the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated solely to combating and preventing insurance crime through intelligence, analysis and operations; education and crime prevention; and strategy, policy and advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insurance organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $582 billion in insurance premiums in 2021, or more than 82% of the country’s property and casualty insurance. That includes more than 96% of the country’s personal auto insurance. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.
SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
