Is your car most likely to be targeted by thieves? In recent years, there has been an increase in car thefts in the United States, with California experiencing the most severe situation. The latest data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reveals the top 10 most stolen cars in 2023.
Last year, a total of 1,020,729 cars were stolen in the United States, with California leading in the number of vehicle thefts (over 200,000 cars). The NICB investigation found that car thefts cost American car owners over $8 billion annually and also lead to increased law enforcement costs across the country.
Certain car brands and models are more susceptible to theft than others. Full-size pickup trucks, traditionally the most stolen vehicles, have been replaced by Hyundai sedans. The top 10 most commonly stolen car models in 2023 and their theft numbers are as follows:
1. Hyundai Elantra – 48,445 thefts
2. Hyundai Sonata – 42,813 thefts
3. Kia Optima – 30,204 thefts
4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – 23,721 thefts
5. Kia Soul – 21,001 thefts
6. Honda Accord – 20,895 thefts
7. Honda Civic (Civic) – 19,858 thefts
8. Kia Forte – 16,209 thefts
9. Ford F150 Series Pickup – 15,852 thefts
10. Kia Sportage – 15,749 thefts
Among these models, six of the easily stolen cars are from Hyundai and Kia brands. The NICB indicates that one significant factor contributing to this trend is social media.
Since 2021, TikTok and other social media users have been sharing videos under the hashtag “Kia Boyz,” demonstrating how to start Kia and Hyundai cars without keys. Thieves have targeted specific models from Hyundai and Kia manufactured between 2010 and 2021.
According to Hyundai, the theft rate of their cars has hit a historic low; however, the release of theft videos led to a sharp increase in car thefts starting in the summer of 2022, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Furthermore, the Honda Accord ranking sixth is the most stolen car model in five states – Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe emphasizes that adopting common-sense habits can effectively reduce the risk of car theft, such as closing all windows and locking the car when parked, parking in well-lit or monitored areas, never leaving keys inside the car, carrying car keys at all times, installing a tracking device, etc.
In the unfortunate event of a car theft, car owners can take three steps to minimize losses:
Firstly, report the theft to the police immediately to increase the chances of the vehicle being recovered. NICB data shows that 34% of stolen vehicles are recovered on the day of the theft, while 45% are found within two days. Police records are crucial documents during the insurance claim process. Also, inform the police if the car is equipped with a GPS system.
Secondly, notify the insurance company promptly after filing a report. Glawe stresses that insurance companies typically require a police report to acknowledge claims. Car owners can submit reports of stolen vehicles to insurance companies by phone, online, or through insurance agents.
Lastly, provide all relevant information related to the vehicle to the police and insurance company at all times. This includes the brand, model, color, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN), which can also be found on the insurance policy.
It’s worth noting that car insurance consists of liability insurance (covers damages to others), collision, and comprehensive insurance (covers vehicle loss or theft). According to California law, owners must purchase liability insurance, while collision and comprehensive insurance depend on the vehicle loan status and the owner’s preference. To file a claim through the insurance company in case of a stolen car, owners must purchase the appropriate coverage. ◇