The 1994 Honda Accord tops the list of most commonly stolen vehicles in South Carolina again for 2008. The Hot Wheels 2009 study, released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, shows that South Carolina car thieves are targeting a wide range of popular passenger vehicles as well as pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
According to a news release, older model vehicles remain a popular target for car thieves. While vehicle theft has continued to decrease nationally for the fifth consecutive year, South Carolina has seen the number of stolen vehicles remain steady with several areas of the state seeing increases in vehicle theft.
More than 22,000 vehicles were reported stolen in the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) around the state last year.
Myrtle Beach has the highest number of vehicles reported stolen in the state and ranks number 15 in the country.
In the news release, Allison Dean Love of the South Carolina Insurance News Service said, "Consider the theft rate when buying a new car. Auto theft contributes to what we pay for our auto insurance. The more we can do to make our vehicles less attractive to thieves and prevent theft, the more we can keep auto insurance costs stable in South Carolina."
Hot Wheels, the NICB's companion study to its annual Hot Spots auto theft report, examines data reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model, and model year most reported stolen in 2008. See the full report (hyperlink www.nicb.org).
The most commonly stolen vehicles in South Carolina in 2008 were:
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1997 Ford F150 Pickup
- 1997 Ford Explorer
- 1989 Chevrolet Caprice
- 2007 Dodge Ram Pickup
- 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
- 1997 Ford Taurus
- 1994 Honda Civic
- 1997 Ford Ranger
- 1995 Ford Crown Victoria
For 2008, the most stolen vehicles* in the nation were:
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1995 Honda Civic
- 1989 Toyota Camry
- 1997 Ford F150 Series
- 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
- 2000 Dodge Caravan
- 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
- 1994 Acura Integra
- 1999 Ford Taurus
- 2002 Ford Explorer
Certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts. According to the NICB, the parts can be stripped from a car at a chop shop and sold for at least twice as much as the value of the vehicle on the used car market. Newer model vehicles are typically more difficult to steal due to anti-theft technology.
To help protect your vehicle, the South Carolina Insurance News Service recommends the following tips:
* Common Sense - Use anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: locks. Lock your car and take your keys. Park in well-lit areas and hide valuable items. * Warning Device - Use visible or audible warning devices to ensure that your car remains where you left it.
* Immobilizing Device - Use "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys. 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.
Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive section of an auto insurance policy. Theft coverage applies to the loss of the vehicles as well as parts of the car such as air bags. Comprehensive coverage, which is not mandatory, also pays for fire, vandalism and weather-related damage including damage from flooding and earthquakes.
For a complete list of Hot Spots in South Carolina and the 2008 comparisons, link to the South Carolina Insurance News Service (hyperlink www.scinsnews.com).
Report vehicle theft or insurance fraud activity to the NICB at 1-800-835-6422. For more information about vehicle theft prevention and lists of the most frequently stolen vehicles countrywide, by state and 34 largest metropolitan areas, visit the NICB (hyperlink www.nicb.org).
*This report reflects only stolen vehicle data reported to NCIC in 2008. No further filtering of information is conducted, i.e., determining the total number of a particular make and model currently registered in the U.S. for comparison purposes.
