NICB Releases Annual Holiday Theft Report

22,879 vehicles stolen on 11 holidays

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Oct 23, 2019, 06:00 ET

DES PLAINES, Ill., Oct. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- New data released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shows a total of 22,879 vehicles were reported stolen on the 11 holidays in 2018 covered in this report. NICB theft data is pulled from the National Crime Information Center's (NCIC) stolen vehicle file.

Release Resources: Report | Infographic

New Year's Day tallied the most holiday thefts with 2,571. It was followed, in descending order, by Presidents' Day (2,380), Halloween (2,275), Labor Day (2,235) and Memorial Day (2,167).

Here are the 2018 holidays in ranking order:

1. New Year's Day (2,571)
2. Presidents' Day (2,380)
3. Halloween (2,275)
4. Labor Day (2,235)
5. Memorial Day (2,167)
6. New Year's Eve (2,122)
7. Independence Day (2,071)
8. Valentine's Day (2,001)
9. Christmas Eve (1,912)
10. Thanksgiving (1,698)
11. Christmas Day (1,447)

California was the number one state with the most holiday vehicle thefts in 2018 with 4,797. It was followed by, in descending order, Texas (2,144), Florida (1,322), Washington (819) and Georgia (778).

In 2018, there was an average of 2,199 vehicle thefts each day. While this report just looks at the 11 holidays, every day vehicle theft is a problem across the nation. NICB recommends that drivers follow our four "layers of protection" to guard against vehicle theft:

Common Sense — the common sense approach to protection is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:

Remove your keys from the ignition
Lock your doors /close your windows
Park in a well-lit area

Warning Device — the second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:

Audible alarms
Steering column collars
Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
Brake locks
Wheel locks
Theft deterrent decals
Identification markers in or on vehicle
VIN etching
Micro dot marking

Immobilizing Device — the third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:

Smart keys
Fuse cut-offs
Kill switches
Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
Wireless ignition authentication

Tracking Device — the final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.

REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422)or submitting a form on our website.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU: Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, learning and development, government affairs and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,300 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $496 billion in insurance premiums in 2018, or more than 81 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 92 percent ($254 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau