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Press ReleaseApril 24, 2007 Las Vegas Moves to Number One in Auto TheftsAuto Thefts One Factor in Nevada Auto Insurance Rates Las Vegas—The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported today that Las Vegas has taken over the “Number One Hot Spot” for auto thefts in the nation. Modesto, California had held the top spot for the past three years, but fell to number five this year. Las Vegas ranked second in 2005, third in 2004, fourth in 2003, fifth in 2002, 11th in 2001 and 14th in 2000. Reno-Sparks ranked 44th in the survey, down from 43rd in 2005, while Carson City moved up to 197th after ranking 215th in 2005. “The auto theft rate in Las Vegas adds between $200 and $400 a year to our insurance rates,” said Gary Bishop, president of the Nevada Insurance Council. “When added with other risk factors, such as that Nevada ranks 2nd in the U.S. in the rate of traffic fatalities caused by running red lights, 4th in the number of bodily injury claims in the U.S. per 100 insured vehicles, and 7th in traffic fatality rates in the country, the result is that Nevadan drivers pay the 13th highest auto insurance rates in the country,” Bishop continued. The jump to number one occurred despite a reduction in both the number of thefts and in the auto theft rate in Las Vegas in 2006. “The NICB and the NIC have been working with the Attorney General’s office and Metro to implement and publicize programs, such as the bait car program, that have proven successful in areas such as Modesto. I believe that these programs are showing results and that we will see a more significant reduction in auto thefts in the future,” said NIC spokesperson Jim Denton. “In conjunction with law enforcement, we are pro-actively addressing this and are committed to bringing down this ranking,” Denton continued. Nation-wide, the auto theft rate has fallen for three straight years.
Preliminary FBI data shows a nationwide 2.3% decrease in motor vehicle
thefts during January-June, 2006, when compared with the same period
in 2005. For 2006, the ten metropolitan statistical areas with the highest vehicle
theft rates are: According to Hot Spots, its annual report on auto theft rates, NICB reviewed data supplied by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation’s 361 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). The rate is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 inhabitants using the 2005 U.S. Census Population Estimates, the most current figures available. The Nevada Insurance Council advises consumers to use common sense to avoid becoming a victim of auto theft:
“Crimes such as auto theft and insurance fraud cost all Nevada consumers money every year,” Bishop said. “For this reason, the NIC is working with the Attorney General’s office and the police department to help prevent these crimes and to educate the public about the impact of insurance fraud on all of us.” Certain cars are more popular with thieves than others. Those that top the list are easily chopped and sold for parts, which can be worth two to three times the price of a new vehicle. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the top ten cars stolen in Nevada in 2005 were: Rank Vehicle Bishop added one final piece of advice for Nevadans. “Make sure you’re covered. Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive section of the auto insurance policy, which is not required by the state of Nevada. Call your agent to make sure you have this protection. Be sure to ask for any discounts that are offered if you have anti-theft technology on your car.” The Nevada Insurance Council is a non-profit, non-lobbying organization representing the property and casualty insurance industry in Nevada. NIC is dedicated to informing consumers and the media about the insurance business, automotive safety, homeowners insurance and related topics.
CONTACT: Jim Denton
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