- There are certain vehicles that are more likely to be stolen than others
- The area where you live can make a difference in whether you will experience a car theft
- There are precautions you can take to reduce car thefts
- When shopping for car insurance, evaluate an insurance company’s claims process
Having a car stolen is never a fun thing to go through. Car theft is a serious problem in many urban areas, and the result can be higher auto insurance prices in those areas.
By working together to minimize car thefts, members of the general public can help collectively reduce the cost of auto insurance in areas with high rates of theft. But, how do we accomplish this?
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Why certain vehicles are stolen?
The reality is that some vehicles are more likely to be stolen than others, but why is that the case? Typically older vehicles are stolen more often than newer vehicles, which may seem contradictory to the logic of most people.
Older vehicles are typically a quick steal.
They normally don’t have all the added security features of newer vehicles. This makes them a much easier target than vehicles with standard anti-theft technology.
The parts for older vehicles are also typically in high demand. This means that thieves can break them down, sell the parts, and make a huge profit. It’s harder to find vehicle parts for vehicles that are more than 15 years old, so the law of supply and demand allows thieves to profit.
The Area Where You Live Can Make A Difference
Different regions, states, counties, and even cities have different rates of crime. Urban areas tend to have higher rates of crime than rural areas, and those who live in a neighborhood monitored by a watch program tend to experience less car theft.
When choosing a house or apartment, it is always important to consider a few things. Never choose to live in a neighborhood that doesn’t participate in a watch program. You should also analyze the crime rate in the area where you are considering moving.
There are websites where you can view the crime statistics of the area in which you want to reside.
Auto Theft Laws in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law makes it a crime to steal a vehicle, or to drive it without the owner’s permission.
Wisconsin Statute states, “Motor vehicle theft occurs when a defendant intentionally takes, uses, transfers, or hides a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the car.” (Wi. Stat. Ann. § 943.20.)
A theft of a vehicle with a value over $2,500 is a felony in Wisconsin. Felony theft charges can land the thief with a fine up to $25,00, depending on the value of the vehicle. Any theft of a vehicle valued at less than $2,500 is considered a misdemeanor and can hold a fine of up to $10,000.
Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in Wisconsin
Peruse the vehicles below to find whether the car you own made it on Wisconsin’s top 10 list. Then, be sure to read the rest of the article for insight into how to keep your car safe.
10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Wisconsin
(Click here for an interactive chart)
– #10: 2000 Honda CRV
The 2000 Honda CRV was a car which had a high demand in the auto market for parts. Honda drivers tend to keep their vehicles for years and require replacement parts after a period of time.
Thieves in the chop shop industry will steal these cars, break down the car, and sell the parts. The profit that these thefts produce is astounding. This vehicle had 172 Thefts in the state of Wisconsin the year it was released.
– #9: 2002 Dodge Intrepid
The 2002 Dodge Intrepid has a history of being an easy car to hot wire, which is probably what contributed to its high rate of theft in its release year. In 2002 the vehicle had 179 thefts in the state of Wisconsin.
– #8: 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet decided to revamp their popular midsize sedan for 2015. The higher end trends of this vehicle included features like lane assist and blind spot monitoring.
It was one of the most sought after cars the year of its release. Despite having phenomenal safety and security features, the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu still made it onto this list. In Wisconsin, this vehicle had 179 thefts in 2015.
– #7: 2007 Toyota Camry
Toyotas and Hondas have the highest number of vehicle thefts nationally. One of the reasons is their popularity with the general public. Newer Toyotas can sometimes be sold at a higher value than the individual parts! This vehicle had 191 Thefts the year of its release in Wisconsin.
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– #6: 2002 Dodge Stratus
The 2002 Dodge Stratus had relatively weak security features for a vehicle in its segment. A lack of power locks in lower trim levels could have contributed to the relatively high number of thefts that it received its release year. In 2002 the Dodge Stratus had 209 thefts in Wisconsin.
– #5: 2007 Chevrolet Impala
The 2007 Chevrolet Impala was a popular vehicle.
The sheer number of Impala’s on the road ensures that they will statistically have a high number of thefts, although the ratio of cars on the road to thefts is probably much lower than that of other vehicles on this list. The Chevrolet Impala had 232 thefts in Wisconsin the year of its release.
– #4: 2002 Chrysler Town & Country
The number of Chrysler products on the road in Wisconsin is fairly high compared with the rest of the country.
This is partly because of the relatively close proximity to Michigan, the primary state of Chrysler manufacturing. People in this area of the country are fairly brand loyal to a company that drives industry in the area. This popularity may have attributed to the 313 thefts that this vehicle had in its 2002 release year.
– #3: 1997 Honda Accord
Not only is the 1997 Honda Accord a Honda, it’s also an older vehicle.
This makes it a perfect candidate for car theft. The lack of security features, the ability to easily hot wire this vehicle, and the extremely high resale value of the parts make this vehicle a thieves jackpot. This vehicle had 450 thefts in Wisconsin in the year of its release.
– #2: 1998 Honda Civic
The 1998 Honda Civic’s high theft rate can be attributed to the same factors as the 1997 Honda Accord. The vehicle has few security features and a high parts resale value. The vehicle had 470 thefts in Wisconsin in the year of its release.
– #1: 2002 Dodge Caravan
One of the things that older models of the Dodge Caravan were famous for was their ability to be easily hot wired. News journalists across the country have covered the Caravan’s single greatest flaw time and again.
Thieves love this car for that reason alone! The 2002 Caravan had 1,035 thefts in the year of its release.
Steps You Can Take to Avoid Car Theft
Many people don’t think that car theft will ever happen to them, but the sad reality is that thousands of vehicles are stolen across this country every year.
Many people leave their vehicle running while unattended. People will make a quick run into a convenience or grocery store and leave their car running. This is a big no-no!
Another thing to avoid is parking in areas that aren’t well-lit at night. Well-lit areas deter thieves because they are more likely to be seen and caught.
You should also never leave your keys in your vehicle. Many people leave an extra set of keys in their car, but thieves can easily break windows and utilize the extra set of keys to steal your vehicle.
Comparison Shopping For the Right Coverage in Case of Theft
When considering how an insurance company will handle your theft claim, look at their claims process. When shopping for car insurance, ask your insurance agent or sales representative to walk you through the claims processes for a theft claim.
If you can speak with a friend or family member who has been through this process. They may be able to give you insight into questions that you may want to ask your next potential insurance company.
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