New state, national rankings list top 10 most stolen vehicles
A Utah motorists with a 1997 Honda Civic, now owns one of the most popular cars on the road. According to the Hot Wheels Report issued two weeks ago by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) www.nicb.org, that car was the most stolen vehicle in Utah in 2005.
Hot Wheels, a companion study to the NICB's annual Hot Spots auto theft report, examines data reported to the National Crime Information Center and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen.
In 2005, 1,235,226 motor vehicles were reported stolen, which is 2,625 fewer than in 2004. Using the FBI's average valuation of $6,173 per stolen vehicle, this amounts to over $7.6 billion in losses in 2005 - just in vehicle value alone.
A vehicle is stolen in the U.S. every 25.5 seconds
To avoid becoming a victim of auto theft, Allstate Insurance and the NICB recommend a layered approach to auto theft prevention - using simple, low-cost suggestions to make your vehicle less of a target for thieves:
•Common Sense: The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: locks. Lock your car and take your keys. Make sure your windows are closed and park in well lighted areas.
•Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.
•Immobilizing Device: "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are among the devices which are high and low tech, but extremely effective. Generally speaking, if your car won't start, it won't get stolen.
•Tracking Device: If your vehicle is stolen, these systems help law enforcement track and recover it and return it to you. Some systems will even inform you if your vehicle has been moved without your knowledge.
Utah's Hot Wheels
•1997 Honda Civic
•1992 Honda Accord
•1993 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
•1989 Toyota Camry
•1994 Saturn SL
•1994 Acura Integra
•1993 Nissan Sentra
•1994 Ford Explorer
•1993 Ford Taurus
•1995 Ford Escort
National Hot Wheels
•1991 Honda Accord
•1995 Honda Civic
•1989 Toyota Camry
•1994 Dodge Caravan
•1994 Nissan Sentra
•1997 Ford F150 Series
•1990 Acura Integra
•1986 Toyota Pickup
•1993 Saturn SL
•2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
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