July is Vehicle Theft Prevention Month
Each July, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) — the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing, and prosecuting insurance crime — partners with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help deter vehicle thefts as part of Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
According to analysis conducted by NICB, more than one million vehicles were reported stolen last year, marking a 7% increase over 2021. The data showed that the U.S. is seeing the highest vehicle theft numbers since 2008 when 1.05 million vehicles were reported stolen. That is approximately one motor vehicle stolen every 32 seconds.
It’s been a big issue in Washington, too; auto theft was up 31% in Washington from 2021 to 2022, the second-largest increase after Illinois. The total number of auto thefts in our state was 46,939 last year, the third-highest total behind just California and Texas.
The figures were even more staggering in Seattle, where vehicle theft jumped 73% during the pandemic era. The Seattle Times’ Gene Balk provided a deep dive into the figures.
Historically, passenger cars made up approximately 74% of all stolen motor vehicles. A motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds in the United States.
As a driver, you can take steps to keep your vehicle and belongings safe, provided by the NICB and the NHTSA:
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
- Put away your valuables.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
- Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
- Remember to lock your vehicle every time you walk away to prevent vehicle theft.
For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit the NHTSA’s site.
To learn more about auto insurance, and how to make sure you’re covered, visit our site.
