Anyone who’s bought a new car knows just how much of a financial undertaking it can be. After putting so much money into what is often a daily necessity, the last thing you’d want is to find it stolen from where you last parked it.
After years of rising vehicle theft rates, though, at last there has been a notable decline.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently released its latest annual report on vehicle theft trends, which found that 850,708 vehicles were stolen in 2024. That’s a sharp 17% decline from more than 1 million thefts in 2023.
This is the first time the theft rate has reached pre-pandemic levels and the biggest drop in year-over-year theft in four decades.
Washington, Nevada and Oregon were the states with the biggest individual drops in vehicle theft rates — declining 32%, 31% and 30%, respectively.
“The overall decrease in stolen vehicles nationwide is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement, multi-jurisdictional auto theft task forces, governing bodies, vehicle manufacturers, and NICB,” said David J. Glawe, NICB’s president and CEO.
But don’t just leave it up to law enforcement.
The NICB provides the following tips for minimizing your risk of vehicle theft:
- Never leave your keys in your vehicle.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Never leave your car running unattended.
- Close all windows and lock all doors when you park.
- Hide valuables out of sight or secure them in the glove box, trunk or other compartment.
If the unthinkable happens and your car is stolen, call law enforcement and your auto insurance company immediately. Doing so can increase the odds of recovery.
Owners of the following vehicles should be extra mindful, as they were the most stolen vehicles of 2024, according to NICB’s analysis:
- Hyundai Elantra: 31,712 thefts in 2024
- Hyundai Sonata: 26,720
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 21,666
- Honda Accord: 18,539
- Kia Optima: 17,493
Learn how to better protect your vehicle in “8 Mistakes That Make Your Car an Easy Target for Thieves.”
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