Pennsylvania Warns Consumers, Insurers About Rising National Auto Theft Rates

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman has reminded drivers to take precautions to prevent auto theft, as a recent report shows the rate of car theft nationally rose by more than four percent in the first half of 2017. She also noted Pennsylvania law requires insurers to provide premium discounts for vehicles with passive anti-theft devices installed.

The report is compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) using figures from the FBI. The preliminary report for 2017 shows the rate of car theft was up 4.1 percent from 2016, continuing a three-year upward trend totaling an 11 percent increase since hitting a 23-year low in 2014. That year, 689,527 vehicles were reported stolen nationally, marking a drop of nearly 59 percent from the 1,661,738 vehicles reported stolen in 1991.

The NICB report says the advent of smart keys and keyless ignition starting in 1997 has helped reduce theft. However, the report also notes these safety devices are useless if the keys are left in the vehicle, or if the vehicle is left running and unattended.

“Many of the NICB’s recommendations to reduce the likelihood of a car being stolen are just common sense, but are not always followed, such as taking your keys, locking your doors, closing your windows and parking in a well-lit area whenever possible,” Altman said in a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

Warning devices can also be a deterrent to thieves, according to the NICB. These include:

• Audible alarms
• Steering column collars
• Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
• Brake locks
• Wheel locks
• Theft deterrent decals
• Identification markers in or on vehicle

Altman said Pennsylvania law requires insurers to provide premium discounts for motor vehicles with passive antitheft devices. These are defined in the law as any system which is activated automatically when the car operator turns the ignition key to the off position and which is designed to prevent unauthorized use. The term does not include an ignition interlock provided as a standard antitheft device by the original automobile manufacturer.