For Release: December 14, 2007

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OHIO AUTO THEFTS CLOSE TO DOUBLE-DIGIT DECLINE

COLUMBUS – Following a national trend, the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) reports that Ohio auto thefts declined nearly 10% (9.6%) between 2005–06 based on figures from FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.

This follows a statewide auto theft increase of 1.8% between 2004–05. Previous years’ data show Ohio experienced decreases of 0.3% (2003–04) and 4.1% (2002–03). US auto thefts continue to show improvement, now in a third year of decline according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). US thefts decreased 3.4% between 2005-06 and 1.5% between 2004–05. (1996–2006 Ohio and US auto theft figures are shown in Table 2 below.)

OII findings, based on FBI data, suggest Cleveland continues to pose the greatest risk of auto theft in the Buckeye state. There was one theft for every 44 registered vehicles in Cleveland in 2006, a slight improvement from its one theft for every 43 vehicles reported in OII’s 2005 study. Auto theft-wise, cities coming closest to Cleveland’s 2006 ratio are Dayton (1 in 59) and Youngstown (1 in 82). Dayton averaged one theft for every 55 registered vehicles in 2005 and Youngstown averaged one for every 75 vehicles. The 2006 statewide average is 1 theft for every 324 registered vehicles.

Between 2005–2006 auto theft activity in Ohio’s major cities ranged from a decrease of 63.2% in Mansfield, to an increase of 30.6% in Akron. Click here for 2004–06 Ohio city auto theft statistics.

The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 2006 was $6,649, compared to the 2005 estimated value of $6,173 per stolen vehicle. According to OII, the estimated value of unrecovered stolen vehicles increased from $96.8 million in 2005 to over $102 million in 2006.

Of significance is the fact that 13 of 17 Ohio cities experienced a decline in auto thefts between 2005–06 ranging from 0.7% to 63.2%. Of cities reporting decreases, Mansfield had the greatest percentage drop – reducing thefts from 220 in 2005 to 81 in 2006.

“The fact that so many cities reported declines in thefts last year likely lead to the significant decline in statewide figures,” said Daniel J. Kelso, OII president. “Insurers evaluate hundreds of factors when establishing insurance rates, so it’s impossible to predict how a fluctuation in any one factor – like auto theft – can affect future premiums,” explained Kelso.

Even with this decline, Ohio ranks ninth highest in the US in terms of stolen vehicles. The top states, according to NICB, are California, Texas and Florida.

Cities with highest increases and decreases
Akron had a 30.6% increase in auto thefts between 2005–06, the highest percentage increase in the state. Other cities experiencing increases in 2006 included: Elyria (14.5%), Euclid (8.2%) and Springfield (7.6%).

Double-digit percentage decreases in auto theft between 2005-06 were reported in a half-dozen surveyed cities and include: Mansfield (-63.2%); Warren (-24.6%); Toledo (-20%); Columbus (-18.1%); Parma (-13%) and Cincinnati (-12.8%).

An OII comparison of estimated 2006 thefts to vehicle registrations – 1 theft for every 324 vehicle registrations in the state – is a significant improvement from 2005’s ratio of one vehicle stolen for every 290 registered vehicles in the state (2004’s ratio was 1 in 298). Mansfield leads the state in having the lowest theft to registered vehicle ratio of one theft for every 637 registered vehicles. Click here for 2004–06 information by city.)

Car break-in statistics
The FBI reports that the number of property thefts from vehicles (excluding accessories) decreased 0.4% between 2005–06. The total number of non-accessory related thefts was 1,396,481, averaging $734 per incident. This includes personal property such as packages, purses, CDs, portable GPS systems and laptops.

Motor vehicle accessory thefts (car components) which include tires, hood ornaments and in-dash stereo equipment, declined 8.5% between 2005–06. There were 508,951 reported in 2006, averaging $522 per incident.

Auto theft deterrents
“Car manufacturers, law enforcement and the insurance industry are committed to curtailing auto theft and consumer education on theft prevention,” explained Kelso. “Consumers are all too aware of the cost of auto theft and are taking precautionary measures from locking their cars to adding antitheft devices. Many newer makes and models come equipped with antitheft alarm, stereo and/or immobilization systems. Insurers recognize the value of antitheft systems, with some offering auto insurance premium discounts for protective devices.”

Electronic tracking devices, like LoJack (www.lojack.com) use a hidden transmitter to assist law enforcement officials to track stolen vehicles. LoJack, which operates in 25 states and the District of Columbia, became available to Ohio consumers in September 2005.

General Motors recently announced that its satellite navigation technology, Onstar, has the capability of tracking stolen vehicles along with an optional stolen-vehicle slowdown feature that will be offered to its subscribers on select 2009 model cars. This new feature will allow Onstar to remotely cut engine power on reported stolen vehicles and will be offered on about 20 models.

The Ohio Insurance Institute is a trade association representing insurance companies and agent groups for the property/casualty insurance industry. A primary objective of the OII is to help Ohioans achieve a better understanding of insurance and related safety issues.

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Link to Table 1: 2004-06 Ohio Motor Vehicle Thefts by Selected Cities

TABLE 2 - OHIO & US AUTO THEFTS - 1996-2006