Your vehicle is one of your biggest and most useful assets. Our vehicles take us to work, to worship and to social functions. They are an important part of our lives. With rising vehicle purchase and lease costs, losing access to your vehicle through a break-in or actual theft of the vehicle can be not only emotionally upsetting, but it can also be costly.
Professional locksmiths have vast experience in vehicle safety and offer helpful advice.
That’s why it is important to know the facts on vehicle break-ins and work to minimize the chance that you will become a victim of vehicle theft.
The Facts on Vehicle Break-Ins and Theft
Vehicle theft is a problem with 1 in 294 vehicles in America being stolen annually1 A vehicle was actually stolen every 30 seconds in 2022.2
It may appear obvious that a vehicle is most at risk for theft when it is in a parking garage or a parking lot. That is a myth. In 2021 the top place for vehicle theft was actually at a residence or home with 38 percent of vehicles stolen from homes.3 That is followed by parking garages/parking lots and then highways/alleys/streets/sidewalks.
You have a greater chance of having your vehicle stolen on a Monday or a Friday and the peak times for vehicle theft are between 5 and 10 p.m.4 The city that you live in or vacation in may also play a factor in your chances of having your vehicle burglarized or stolen. The top 10 cities with the highest number of reported vehicle thefts include in order: Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Austin, Washington DC, Portland, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Houston and Seattle.5
The type of vehicle you drive also makes you more susceptible to vehicle theft. The top 10 vehicles stolen in 2021 included the following:6
1. Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup
2. Ford Full-Size Pickup
3. Honda Civic
4. Honda Accord
5. Toyota Camry
6. GMC Full-Size Pickup
7. Nissan Altima
8. Honda CR-V
9. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
10. Toyota Corolla
Tips on Protecting Your Vehicle from Theft
It may seem obvious, but do not leave your keys in your vehicle. Statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau reveal that from 2017 through 2019 nearly a quarter million vehicles were stolen with their keys left inside the vehicle.7 Another seemingly obvious theft deterrent is to not leave valuables in sight inside your vehicle. This includes purses, wallets, jewelry, cellular phones, cameras, luggage and other items. Never leave your garage door opener, your car registration or other important paperwork in your car.
Visibility is critical when parking your car. In a parking lot, make sure to park as close to the entry as possible and in a well-lit area. At home, make sure that you have adequate exterior lighting of your garage, driveway and property.
Motion-activated lights and security cameras are a major theft deterrent. If the motion sensor is activated you can receive a notification on your mobile phone so you can check to see if a thief is present. An alarm system on your vehicle is also an excellent theft deterrent.
While there are things you can do to prevent vehicle theft, it is advisable to engage a professional locksmith such as Action Locksmith in Michigan to assist you in securing your property and installing alarm systems in your home and vehicle.
Locksmith Services with a lot to Offer
Our locksmith business located in Southeastern Michigan does more than locks, keys and lockouts. We address everything from rekeying and deadbolts to door repair and installation, master key systems for businesses, camera systems, safe installation and repair to name a few.
Providing the industry’s best residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services means we stay up to date on the latest techniques, equipment and technology. Call us anytime for assistance, questions or advice with your car, home or business!
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1, 2, 6 US Vehicle Break-In Statistics (2024 Update) by Jason L. Arthur, 1/12/2024
Link: https://www.lookupaplate.com/blog/vehicle-break-in-statistics/
3 A Comprehensive Guide to Vehicle Break-In Statistics
Link: https://www.vivint.com/resources/article/vehicle-break-in-statistics
4, 5 Where Cars are Most Susceptible to Crime
Link: https://www.compare.com/auto-insurance/resources/vehicle-theft-and-break-ins
7 NICB: Leaving Keys in Your Car Can Leave You Without a Car, 9/14/2023
Link: https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/nicb-leaving-keys-your-car-can-leave-you-without-your-car