- Car thefts in Idaho have dramatically increased
- The area where you reside has a lot to do with car thefts
- There are steps you can take to ensure that your vehicle is safe from car theft
- Compare customer satisfaction with a company’s claim process to ensure that you get the best service available during a car theft
Dealing with a car theft can be a nightmare. Many of us feel stranded without our sole means of transportation, and it’s easy to feel helpless in this situation.
Taking the necessary steps to ensure that you never experience a car theft will give you peace mind.
For further peace of mind, start comparison shopping today for the best auto insurance rates. Enter your ZIP code below to get started!
Car Theft in Idaho
The National Insurance Bureau reported that almost 1,400 cars were stolen in Idaho in 2015. That’s a 16 percent increase from the previous year!
Idaho statute identifies theft as the wrongful taking, obtaining, or withholding of property from its owner while having the intent to deprive the owner of the property or to appropriate the property for oneself or a third party.
Theft of a vehicle valued at more than $1,000 is considered grand theft and is also considered a felony. Theft of a vehicle under $1,000 is considered petit theft and is considered a misdemeanor.
Keep in mind that the area in which you live has a lot to do with whether you will ever experience a car theft.
Certain cars are more prone to being stolen than others. Each state and county vary concerning the number of makes, models, and years of vehicles that are more abundant and likely to be stolen.
Choosing an apartment or home that is in a safe area can decrease your chances of auto theft.
Before deciding to purchase a home, drive around the area. Are there neighborhood watch signs? Ask your realtor if a neighborhood watch has been organized.
You can also check crime statistics to evaluate the area’s rate of crime.
What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen
If you think your car might be stolen, it is important to remember not to panic. Keeping a level head may be your best bet at ensuring that your vehicle is found.
– Determine If Your Car Was Stolen
Did you park your car in a place that isn’t familiar to you? Check with family and friends to ensure that no one borrowed your car.
– File a Police Report
The next step is to contact the police. Filing a police report is important for many reasons.
The police could help you find your missing vehicle and may have already arrested the thief if your car was stolen while committing another crime. Police reports also make your insurance claims process much quicker.
– Call Your Insurance Company
Once you have filed a police report, call your insurance company. Your insurer needs to know as soon as possible that your vehicle has been stolen.
If you have rental car coverage, then your insurance company will work to put you in a rental car post haste.
It’s also important to cooperate with your claims representatives as much as possible. It can be frustrating to be asked the same questions time and again, but insurance claims adjusters use a lot of information to determine your payout and how the claim will be settled.
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Idaho
Peruse the vehicles below to find whether the car you own made it on Idaho’s top 10 list. Then, be sure to read the rest of the article for insight into how to keep your car safe.
10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Idaho
(Click here for an interactive chart)
#10 – 1997 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
The 1997 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee‘s number one flaw is its lack of automatic power locks on most trims. With the exception of the limited trim, most of these vehicles only have manual locks.
Most people with manual locks forget to lock their doors, which may contribute to this vehicle’s 19 thefts that occurred in Idaho the year of its release!
#9 – 1997 Toyota Camry
The ’97 Camry was one of Toyota’s best vehicles. The gas mileage was superb, and the road noise was significantly lower than previous models.
The vehicle’s downfall was the lack of an alarm system.
The Camry is a budget friendly vehicle, but skipping out on an alarm was something that many car manufacturers did at this time. This vehicle had 19 thefts the year of its release.
#8 – 1991 Ford Pickup (Small Size)
Given the year that this vehicle was released, safety and security features weren’t abundant. The 91 Ford Pickup didn’t have a security alarm, power locks, or power windows — making it a car thieves dream!
The model had 19 thefts the year of its release.
#7 – 2002 Ford Explorer
Ford had many problems with its anti-theft system in the Ford Explorer in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The computer system had a glitch that would turn off the anti-theft system.
The vehicle had 22 thefts the year of its release in Idaho.
#6 – 1992 GMC Pickup (Full Size)
Another vehicle with nearly no security features is General Motors’ 1992 GMC Pickup. The vehicle had 32 thefts in the state of Idaho the year of its release.
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#5 – 2001 Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
Pickups tend to have higher resale value. While Dodge’s vehicles have a tendency to depreciate quickly, their trucks are on par with other vehicle manufacturers in this area. In Idaho, this vehicle had 45 thefts the year of its release.
#4 – 1996 Honda Civic
Honda has a reputation for building vehicles that last.
Hondas are consistently the number one vehicles stolen nationally.
They have high resale values and can be broken down for parts and sold for a premium rate. This vehicle had 52 thefts in Idaho the year of its release.
#3 – 1996 Honda Accord
Again, anything Honda makes will have a high rate of theft. Thieves love to break down these vehicles and sell the spare parts.
This vehicle had 66 thefts the year of its release in Idaho.
#2 – 1999 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
This pickup is a good combination of two factors that contribute to its theft rate. It has relatively few security features, and it is a General Motors pickup truck.
This vehicle had 76 thefts the year of its release in Idaho.
#1 – 2004 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
As one of the highest selling trucks in 2004, it’s no surprise that the 2004 Ford pickup is at the top of this list. This vehicle had a much lower than average depreciation rate and great resale value.
In the year of its release in Idaho, this vehicle had 108 thefts.
Steps You Can Take to Avoid Car Theft
Many people practice bad habits that make it much easier for a car thief to make off with their car.
- One of the worst things you can do is leave a spare key hidden on the exterior of your car. Car thieves search a vehicle to find these.
- Leaving your valuables in plain sight is another no-no.
- Many people park their cars in deserted areas. A high traffic parking spot deters thieves from breaking into a vehicle.
- Cars with a manual transmission are also much less likely to be stolen.
- Above all else, lock your car doors!
Many people don’t follow this advice, and it’s the most important precaution you can take. Don’t let your guard down when you get home. Always lock your doors.
Comparison Shopping for the Right Coverage in Case of Theft
When considering an insurance company with regards to a theft claim, you might want to compare the customer service ratings companies receive for their claims process.
If a company receives good claims reviews, then they will probably offer top notch service if your car is ever stolen.
A car theft is already a stressful situation. You want your auto insurance claims process to be as simple and seamless as possible.
If you are looking for the best auto insurance in Idaho, start comparison shopping by entering your ZIP code below!