The Internal Revenue Service expects that roughly 70 percent of taxpayers will receive a refund this filing season with the average refund amounting to $3,000. With tax season in full swing and millions of people planning to use their refund towards a large purchase such as a car, Hunter Insurance would like to alert families about buying cars that have, historically, been targets of theft and how to protect yourself from significant losses if you’ve been eying one of these models.
Certain makes and models are popular among car thieves, according to findings from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In the most recent ranking, Honda earned the top spot for makes that were most targeted by thieves.
A breakdown of the Hot Wheels Report shows that Honda Civics and Honda Accords were reported stolen over 88,000 times in 2017 alone. By comparison, Ford pickups, Chevrolet pickups, and the Toyota Camry, all of which were runner ups in the same ranking, were collectively reported stolen about 82,450 times.
Honda enthusiasts may be relieved to know that the model years in question are for models that were produced in the 1990s. Furthermore, only 4 cars in the top 10 most stolen car list were produced in the last decade and half of those cars are Toyota models. Below, you will find NICB’s list of the most stolen cars by make, year, and total thefts.
- Honda Civic (1998), 45,062 reported stolen
- Honda Accord (1997), 43,764 reported stolen
- Ford Pickup (2006), 35,105 reported stolen
- Chevrolet Pickup (2004), 30,058 reported stolen
- Toyota Camry (2017), 17,278 reported stolen
- Nissan Altima (2016), 13,358 reported stolen
- Toyota Corolla (2016), 12, 337 reported stolen
- Dodge Pickup (2001) 12,004 reported stolen
- GMC Pickup (2017), 10,865 reported stolen
- Chevrolet Impala (2008) 9,487 reported stolen
There are several possibilities as to why thieves are drawn to these models. One reason is because parts in models like the Honda Civic are interchangeable with other Honda models, which makes them valuable to unethical repair shops that are eager to buy the pieces at a discount. Another reason is because older models lack the sophisticated anti-theft devices that come standard in modern vehicles, a safety feature that insurance companies usually reward with discounted policies.
Motorists can take precautions to help prevent thefts by always locking their doors, never leaving the keys in the ignition, and parking in brightly lit areas. A better alternative would be to make sure your vehicle is covered under a comprehensive auto policy.
Comprehensive auto coverage typically protects a policyholder’s vehicle if it is stolen or damaged. This type of coverage is usually very affordable for older vehicles, and can give families peace of mind knowing that their vehicle would be protected against losses stemming from theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, and other incidents.
With the assistance of specialized software, a Hunter Insurance agent can help you find a policy that protects you from significant losses and, more importantly, meets your budget. Call 401-769-9500 to speak with a Hunter Insurance agent, and learn why thousands of families have been relying on our team of insurance professionals since 1989.