Most Stolen Cars: Effect on Car Insurance Rates

Is your car on the “Most Stolen Cars” list? If it is, you may be paying higher car insurance rates. There are many factors that influence car insurance rates, and a major consideration for car insurance providers is whether your car is commonly stolen.

10 Most Stolen Cars in 2007
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
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) 2008

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) tracks the number of stolen vehicles in America.

Is Your Car On The List? You Can Still Protect It!

There are many things you can do to protect your car from being stolen. The NICB recommends using the layered approach to car safety.

Layer 1 - Common Sense—the simplest ways to stop your car from getting stolen

Don’t make it easy for a car thief. Keep your car doors locked and the windows rolled up. Don’t leave your keys in the ignition. Make your car a less likely theft target by parking in a well-lit area.

Layer 2 - Warning Device—a visible or audible device that shows thieves your car is protected

Try installing a car alarm, steering column collar, steering wheel, brake or wheel locks—anything to keep your car from getting stolen.

Layer 3 - Immobilizing Device—a device that stops car thieves from hot-wiring the car

If you don’t want your car to end up in a chop-shop, you may consider using a smart key, fuse cut-off, kill switch, or a starter, ignition, or fuel pump disabler. It is much harder to steal a car with an immobilizing device.

Layer 4 - Tracking Device—a device that emits a signal if the car is stolen

Tracking devices—like Lo-Jacks, GPS or Telematics (combination GPS and wireless)—can be very effective in helping police recover stolen vehicles.

Even if your car is on the “Most Stolen Cars” list, you can sill protect it with a great car insurance policy. And if you keep you car safe with the layered security approach, you could qualify for a discount on your car insurance. See what discounts you can get by shopping for multiple insurance quotes at InsWeb.com.