According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, in 2019, an estimated 721,885 auto thefts occurred in the United States, costing drivers more than $6 billion1. While auto theft has been in a steady decline since the 1990s2, it remains a common — and serious — threat.

Of course, auto theft is a more significant issue in certain parts of the country. That’s one of the reasons that auto insurance companies take zip codes into account when determining rates; by understanding your risks and taking proactive action, you can reduce your chances of becoming a target.

Cities with Highest Rate of Vehicle Theft

According to the 2018 FBI’s UCR report, these are the top 10 cities with the highest rate of auto theft3:

1.Detroit, Michigan

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 103.8

2.Springfield, Missouri

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 99.5

3.Portland, Oregon

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 97.1

4.Albuquerque, NM

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 96.5

5.St. Joseph, MO

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 84.2

6.Topeka, KS

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 76.6

7.Tulsa, OK

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 75.5

8.Bakersfield, CA

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 75

9.New Orleans, LA

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 74.8

10.Vallejo, CA

Motor Vehicle Thefts per 10,000 habitants: 73.8

The FBI report used data collected from cities across the U.S, ranking cities based on the number of reported car thefts. If your city doesn’t appear on the list, you can breathe a little easier — but remember, theft can occur anywhere.

Factors that influence your risk include where you park and your vehicle’s age. Most stolen vehicles are more than 10 years old,4 but certain models are more enticing to criminals. According to the Insurance Information Institute5, these were the most commonly stolen vehicles in 2019:

1.Ford Pickup (Full Size) - 38,938 Thefts

2.Honda Civic - 33,220 Thefts

3.Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) - 32,583 Thefts

4.Honda Accord - 30,745 Thefts

5.Toyota Camry - 15,656 Thefts

6.Nissan Altima - 13,355 Thefts

7.Toyota Corolla - 12,137 Thefts

8.Dodge Pickup (Full Size) - 11,292 Thefts

9.GMC Pickup (Full Size) - 11,164 Thefts

10.Honda CR-V - 10,094 Thefts

Preventing Auto Theft (And Recovering After an Incident)

Even when insurance covers the cost of a lost vehicle, auto theft can be crippling for drivers. Most policies won’t cover items stolen with the vehicle (though your home or renter’s insurance may cover those expenses).

You’ll also need to find replacement transportation — about 76 percent of Americans drive themselves to work each day, and another 9 percent carpool6. Some insurance policies offer a rental coverage add-on, which can be extremely helpful. Of course, you’ll need to opt-in to this coverage before the theft occurs.

A better solution: Prevent theft from occurring in the first place. The National Insurance Crime Bureau outlines the four-layer protection method for limiting your risks

Practice Common Sense - Park in well-lit areas, lock your doors, roll up all windows, and never leave your keys in the car.

Make Theft More Difficult with Warning Devices - Outfitting your vehicle with an audible alarm, micro-dot marking, or a removable lock (such as a steering wheel or brake lock) will reduce your risks. Some insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles outfitted with non-removable anti-theft devices.

Consider Adding an Immobilizing Device - Smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, or a wireless ignition authentication can help prevent thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring your vehicle.

Invest in a Tracking Device - Tracking devices relay the location of your vehicle via GPS. Some tracking devices can be set to alert you when your car is moved from one location to another.

How Auto Theft Affects Your Insurance

If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurer will typically pay for a stolen vehicle that isn’t recovered (not including your deductible). As mentioned above, this coverage only applies to your vehicle. Some policies may also cover custom parts and equipment (abbreviated as CPE), though this may require an add-on.

Remember, insurance will only cover the cost of the vehicle. That can be problematic if you’re financing or leasing; if you owe $10,000 on a car, but it’s valued at $8,000, you’ll only receive $8,000 (less your deductible) if your vehicle isn’t recovered.

When your vehicle is stolen, your insurance rates may increase. Insurers consider dozens of factors when calculating premiums, and if you’re a safe driver, the increase may be minimal. However, replacing a vehicle can be costly, so most drivers can expect to pay more for insurance when theft occurs.

Regardless of whether you live in a high-theft area, make sure you’ve got adequate coverage for your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage can be expensive, but by comparing rates from different insurance providers, you can keep your premiums as low as possible — and get peace of mind on (and off) the road.