Are Vehicle Thefts and Break-ins on the Rise?

It’s a tough time for many, with inflation still high and wages not catching up. As often happens during an economic downturn, crimes have increased in some parts of the country, including motor vehicle thefts. Since 2019, car break-ins have more than doubled at 105%.^[1]

Car theft is a “keystone crime,” meaning the stolen vehicles are often used to perpetrate other crimes like robberies, drive-by shootings and other violent offenses.^[1] If abandoned and later found, the cars are often vandalized and in a state of disrepair. Sometimes, stolen vehicles reported stolen are never found.

It’s important to have comprehensive insurance coverage, which is the only type of coverage that will pay for a total loss of a stolen car or for repairs to damages after a stolen vehicle has been recovered.

Certain areas of the country see more car thefts than others. If you live in a high-crime neighborhood, it’s important to have the right type of car insurance. Here’s more.

On This Page

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  Statistics on Motor Vehicle Thefts and Break-ins.

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  Cities With the Most Vehicle Thefts in 2023

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  Highest Increases of Motor Vehicle Thefts by State 2023

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  Top 10 States With the Most Stolen Vehicles

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  Top 10 States With the Highest Theft Rates

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  Motor Vehicle Break-ins and Vandalism Damage

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  Personal Belongings Stolen From Your Car

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  6 Ways to Prevent Car Theft and Car Break-ins

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  Kia and Hyundai Thefts

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  Top 10 Motor Vehicles Stolen in 2023

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  FAQs

Statistics on Motor Vehicle Thefts and Break-ins.

• Over 1 million motor vehicles were stolen in 2023.^[1]
• Carjacking rates were 93% higher in 2023 compared to 2019.^[1]
• Full-size pickups are the most stolen vehicle type.^[3]
• A motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds in the U.S.^[4]

Cities With the Most Vehicle Thefts in 2023

Car thefts happened across the country, but especially in the following cities^[1]:

Highest Increases of Motor Vehicle Thefts by State 2023

The following states saw the most drastic increases in car thefts across the state.^[2]

Top 10 States With the Most Stolen Vehicles

California is the largest state with the most drivers so it’s no surprise that it tops the list of states with the most stolen vehicles. See how common vehicle thefts are in your state.^[2]

Top 10 States With the Highest Theft Rates

Taking the number of residents in a given state into account gives you the actual theft rate. Here are the states that see the highest rates of car theft. Your chances are actually higher of having a car stolen in these states, in this order^[2]

Motor Vehicle Break-ins and Vandalism Damage

Even if your car was recovered or it was broken into, chances are that the vehicle is damaged. The damage may be extensive, if parts were stolen or the stereo system was ripped out. If you have comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, you can file a claim.

Liability insurance alone will not cover your losses.

Law enforcement agencies will write a report about the condition of your car upon recovery. You can use that report to file a claim.

Steps To Filing a Comprehensive Coverage Claim

1. Contact the police as soon as your car goes missing.
2. Gather police reports as well as car and registration documents.
3. Call your car insurer as soon as you have the police report or within 48 hours, whichever comes first.
4. Ask to file a comprehensive coverage claim.
5. If your car is recovered contact the insurer right away and let them know.
6. Take photos or videos of all the damages to the car, both interior and exterior.
7. The insurer may send an adjuster to survey the damages.
8. You’ll be quoted a claim amount. Remember that you are responsible for the deductible, which will be deducted from the total amount of damages.
9. If you feel that you are owed more money than the insurer is offering, appeal.
10. If your appeal is denied, contact an attorney or your state’s Department of Insurance.

Personal Belongings Stolen From Your Car

Even though comprehensive car insurance will cover damages and losses of your car parts, it will not cover your personal belongings.

Let’s say you left a phone or laptop in the car and it was stolen and not recovered with the car, your only recourse is to file a renters or homeowners insurance claim.

There is an off-premises portion of both a renters and homeowners insurance policy that covers belongings that are stolen outside of the home.

6 Ways to Prevent Car Theft and Car Break-ins

1. Park in well-lit areas.
2. Shut all windows and lock all doors after parking the vehicle.
3. Hide valuables in the glove box or trunk.
4. Do not leave the car keys in the car.
5. Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.

Kia and Hyundai Thefts

In 2023, Hyundai Elantra compact cars were stolen more than 48,000 times while Hyundai Sonata sedans were stolen almost 43,000 times.^[5] Kia Optima sedans were stolen more than 30,000 times. On social media, thieves posted directions on how to steal these vehicles, which played a role in the surge of motor car theft rates.

Hyundai and Kia began offering upgrades to car owners free anti-theft upgrades because their cars were being stolen at an alarming rate. However, thieves have been able to work around the upgrades.

In May 2023, Kia and Hyundai paid a $200 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by car owners.

In 2024 there was a nationwide recall on vehicles manufactured without electronic immobilizers and anti-theft software.

Top 10 Motor Vehicles Stolen in 2023

The crime data below shows that Hyundai and Kia still top the list for the most stolen vehicles.^[5]