What’s the Most Stolen Vehicle in New York?

At first, maybe you think you just can't remember where you parked your car. You try to recall every step you took, hoping to jog your memory. Slowly, the realization begins to dawn: your car has been stolen. The odds of this scenario happening to you go up depending on the kind of car you drive. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, certain cars are far more likely to be stolen than others.

Nationally, foreign-made vehicles dominate the Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles:

1. Honda Accord - 50,427 total thefts
2. Honda Civic - 49,547 total thefts
3. Ford Pick-Up (Full-Size) - 32,721 total thefts
4. Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full-Size) - 31,238 total thefts
5. Toyota Camry (Full-Size) - 16,732 total thefts
6. Nissan Altima (Full-Size) - 12,221 total thefts
7. Dodge Pick-Up (Full-Size) - 12,128 total thefts
8. Toyota Corolla - 11,989 total thefts
9. Chevrolet Impala - 9,749 total thefts
10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee - 9,245 total thefts

In New York State, smaller vehicles are the most commonly stolen - except for the Econoline Van. Who knew a van would be a popular target for thieves?

1. 1997 Honda Accord
2. 1998 Honda Civic
3. 2015 Toyota Camry
4. 2015 Nissan Altima
5. 2012 Ford Econoline E350
6. 2016 Toyota Corolla
7. 1997 Honda CR-V
8. 1998 Nissan Maxima
9. 2002 Dodge Caravan
10. 2015 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

According to a press release from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there are some steps you can take to prevent the theft of your vehicle:

• Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It’s simple enough, but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars. 
• Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it. 
• Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can’t be started, it can’t be stolen. “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices that are extremely effective. 
• Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics,” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.

Even if you do own one of the most commonly stolen vehicles in New York, you can still reduce your risk of theft by taking these simple steps.

Have you ever had your car stolen?

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