Honda Civic, Accord Top 2008 List of Most Stolen Cars

The 1995 Honda Civic was the car stolen the most in 2007, according to “Hot Wheels 2008,” the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) study that determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen each year. According to the 2008 report of cars stolen in 2007, older model vehicles are a target for thieves because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts.

On a positive note, the FBI preliminary Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data revealed that motor vehicle theft is headed for an 8.9 percent decrease in 2007. The final data will be released later this year.

“The continuing national decrease in vehicle theft is a positive sign that the fight against vehicle theft by law enforcement, the insurance industry and the NICB continues to be effective,” said Robert M. Bryant, NICB’s president and CEO.

To protect their investment, NICB receommends vehicle owners follow a “layered approach” to auto theft prevention. The layers the Bureau recommends are:

Common Sense: The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ locks, anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles, NICB said. Lock your car and take your keys.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that a car remains where it was left.

Immobilizing Device: “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices that are high and low tech, but extremely effective. Generally speaking, if a car won’t start, it won’t get stolen.

Tracking Device: Some systems use global positioning systems (GPS) to track a vehicle. Others use radio frequency technology and help law enforcement track and recover it quickly.

Finally, NICB recommends its VINCheck feature, a consumer protection service that includes information on vehicles that have been declared “total losses” by participating NICB member insurance companies, unrecovered stolen vehicle data and flood vehicle data.

The ranking of most stolen cars for 2007 is as follows.

1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1991 Honda Accord
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup
5. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
8. 1994 Nissan Sentra
9. 1988 Toyota Pickup
10. 2007 Toyota Corolla

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training and public awareness. To view the full report, visit www.nicb.org.

Source: NICB