Don't be a Victim - Protect Your Vehicle from Theft

Not So Fun Facts About Vehicle Theft in Colorado

• There were 19,488 motor vehicles stolen in Colorado in 2017.
• On average, 62 cars are stolen in Colorado Springs and Pueblo every week.
• Colorado drivers reported an estimated $149 million in losses due to vehicle theft last year.
• It takes a seasoned thief less than 30 minutes to strip your car for parts.

Don't be a Victim - Protect Your Vehicle from Theft

In 2016, nearly three quarters of a million vehicles were stolen in the United States. Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar crime, with the cost of stolen vehicles coming in at approximately $5.9 billion in 2016 alone. To help drivers keep their vehicles safe, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Drive-In Autosound is spreading the word about National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.

In 2016, Colorado ranked 8 in stolen vehicles, with a total of 18,047 cars, trucks, and other vehicles stolen, according to NHTSA.

According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA), that number increased to 19,488 in 2017, with over 15% of those being stolen in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

What’s Stolen?

All vehicles, assuming they run, are potential targets. Thieves rarely care if the vehicle they steal is valuable, chances are, they aren’t going to try to sell it. More likely, they will strip it for parts, which can be done in 30 minutes or less. Or worse, use it to commit additional crimes.

And once a thief has your vehicle, they likely have access to other parts of your life. Say, for example you have a GPS with “Home” programmed into it, and a garage door opener inside the vehicle… Well, you can see how unnerving that would be. All that aside, there are some vehicles that are stolen more often than others, likely because of the relative number of them on the road compared to other models.

Here’s a list of the most stolen vehicles in Colorado last year:

1.Honda Accord

2.Honda Civic

3.Chevrolet Silverado

4.Toyota Camry

5.Ford F150

6.Nissan Altima

7.Toyota Corolla

8.Ford F250

9.Ford Econoline

10.Chevrolet Impala

Take Action!

While there is no fool proof tactic to stop someone from stealing your vehicle, and some criminals don’t even want your car, they’ll just break out a window, hoping to find valuables in it, like a cell phone, computer, or camera. But don't worry, there are things you can do to help discourage vehicle theft and break-ins, and also to help you recover your property and identify the thief, should they succeed in stealing your vehicle or the valuables inside of it.

Here are ways you can help prevent motor vehicle theft:

• Install a security system, dash camera, or GPS tracking system in your vehicle.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Always stow away your valuables.
• If your vehicle is stolen, or you see evidence of a break-in, call the police Immediately

Images courtesy of the NHTSA