DATA

NATIONAL DATA
Consistent with UCR national data, motor vehicle theft has decreased in Washington for the past two years. The total number of motor vehicle thefts for 2007 was 37,622, an 18 percent decrease from 2006; however, the State of Washington ranks 5th among the nation for motor vehicle theft rates (i.e., risk of auto theft victimization).

COST
Auto theft is a $7.5 billion business and growing, despite a declining rate of theft across the country. In 2007, thieves stole 8.1% fewer cars than in 2006, but the average value of each motor vehicle stolen was $6,755, up 25% over the last decade and $200 million more than 2006.

PROPERTY CRIME AND
PROPERTY STOLEN
In Washington, motor vehicle theft has decreased in all major cities with populations of 100,000 or more, with the exception of Vancouver (Clark County) in southwestern Washington which has experienced an increase in motor vehicle theft.  Overall, auto theft makes up about 14 percent of all property crimes in Washington, but it accounts for approximately 50 percent of the value of all property stolen in the state (Crime in Washington Reports, 2007).

NICB SURVEY
A survey of American drivers conducted in April 2007 by the NICB found:
One-third have left their car while it was running, which makes the vehicle an easy target for theft.
47% don’t always park in a well-lit area.
40% don’t hide their valuables
50% leave mail in their vehicle
33% have left a purse, wallet or bank statements, all of which can put them at risk for identity theft.
Although 75% of respondents know that there are costs associated with vehicle theft in addition to paying the insurance deductible and the cost of replacing the vehicle that are not covered by insurance.

WHY CARS ARE STOLEN? 
Vehicles may be stolen for any of a number of reasons and to further any number of purposes. Here are some of them:
To sell the entire vehicle
To sell the parts
To obtain transportation
To trade for drugs
To go joyriding
To commit other crimes
To commit insurance fraud
To clone your vehicle

WHICH CARS ARE STOLEN MOST OFTEN IN WASHINGTON?
1992 Honda Accord
1995 Honda Civic
1989 Toyota Camry
1994 Acura Integra
1993 Saturn SL
1994 Nissan Sentra
1988 Toyota Pickup
1995 Nissan Pathfinder
1993 Subaru Legacy
1994 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

WHO STEALS?
According to the criminal history data provided by Washington State Patrol, a large majority of motor vehicle theft offenders are white males between the ages of 15 and 27.

Of these offenders: only 2.84% of the arrests entailed guns or firearms; and only 9.93% were drug-related.

While the majority of arrests were not gun-related or drug-related, 39.86% of first-time auto theft offenders had a drug offense in their criminal history background (either before or after their motor vehicle theft arrest). For multiple auto theft offenders, this percentage of prior or subsequent drug offenses increases to 60.26%.

There is clearly a drug nexus to auto theft, as many law enforcement and prosecutors working in this area attest, particularly with respect to repeat offenders.

HOW ARE INSURANCE RATES AFFECTED?
Coverage for theft is included in the comprehensive part of an auto insurance policy, a voluntary coverage. Premiums are affected by the number of insured cars stolen and their cost.

The number of theft claims is declining but the dollar size of claims has gone up, reflecting the higher value of new cars on the road. In addition, the theft rate does not reflect the theft of car parts such as air bags and catalytic converters, a $50 million per year problem where the cost of replacement includes both parts and labor.