Frequently Stolen Cars

Is Your Vehicle a Thief Magnet?

Car theft is not just a problem insurance companies face; it is also a costly social threat. Did you know that auto theft costs citizens almost $1 billion each year? These expenses include insurance costs to fix or replace cars; police, health care, and court system costs; and correctional services costs. When you consider the costly ramifications of auto theft, it makes sense to research the most frequently stolen cars before you buy a new vehicle. Even if you already own your vehicle, knowing how likely it is to become a target for thieves can help you take the proper precautions to protect your investment.

Top 10 Most Stolen Cars

Each year, the CCC, a technology provider to the automotive claims and repair industry, compiles a most-stolen vehicle report based on the rate of theft for a vehicle as a percentage of the total number registered. According to the 2005 CCC Information Services Inc. report, these are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the U.S.:

1. 2001 BMW M Roadster
2. 1998 Acura Integra
3. 2004 Mercury Marauder
4. 1999 Acura Integra
5. 1995 Acura Integra
6. 2002 Audi S4
7. 1996 Acura Integra
8. 1997 Acura Integra
9. 2001 Acura Integra
10. 2001 Acura Integra

Theft Deterrent Systems

Statistics have proven time and again that theft deterrent systems work. Experts often point to the frequency of theft among older cars without immobilizer systems to corroborate this fact. By contrast, almost all of the least frequently stolen vehicles come with factory-installed immobilizer systems. An electronic immobilizer is a device that prevents a car from starting unless the computer in the engine is able to recognize the unique code embedded in the vehicle’s key. Most insurance companies provide significant discounts to policyholders who own a car with an approved immobilizer system. In fact, immobilizer systems are so effective that Canada has made them mandatory in all new cars as of September of 2007. Thus, if you would like to save money on your auto insurance and prevent your car from being stolen, a theft immobilizer system is an effective deterrent against the crime.