Someone steals a vehicle every 36 seconds in the US, according to a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Nationwide theft data shows a marked increase in auto crime since 2019, with the pandemic, supply chain issues, and economic conditions cited as contributing factors.

Western states are getting hit particularly hard, with Washington seeing an 88% increase in vehicle thefts in the first three months of this year. The rest of the nation hasn’t been spared, however; for example, New Jersey saw an increase of 31% in the same period.

Break-ins are also on the rise. In San Francisco, vehicle break-ins have increased 200% since last year, with recent police reports revealing 74 car break-ins per day.

Catalytic converter thefts represent even more startling statistics. The NICB reports that it had an average of 108 catalytic converter thefts per month in 2018. By January 2020, that number had jumped to 652 cases per month, and then it soared to 2,347 in December of that year. While experts know catalytic converter thefts are still on the rise, current numbers are hard to pin down because many drivers do not report these thefts.

What can you do to mitigate your chances of being the victim of a vehicle crime? And how can the right insurance coverage help? This article will provide an overview of vehicle insurance coverage and offer some crime prevention tips and steps to take if your vehicle is broken into or stolen.

As the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, business travel, leisure travel, and office employees returning to in-person work have increased. Unfortunately, a rise in car thefts and break-ins is accompanying these renewed activities.

Today’s savvy criminals can download apps to track electronic devices left unattended in vehicles. They are also using smart keys to steal cars and changing vehicle identification numbers (VIN) to avoid getting caught.

Damages after a break-in or to a recovered vehicle can include broken windows, windshields, and locks, and loss of business and personal property. As a result, one auto break-in can lead to three or four different claims. Having several claims for one event can increase insurance policy premiums, not to mention all the stress from dealing with multiple claims.

If you are the victim of a vehicle crime, areas of frustration may also include:

If your car is stolen, your first step is to contact the police. You will need to provide the following information:

Next, you will need to report your stolen vehicle to your insurance company. What you can expect in terms of coverage depends on the type of policy you have.

For damages from a theft or break-in, here is a rundown of typical conditions that must be met and common policy terms:

If products were in transit and meet insuring conditions, the transit or cargo policy may cover business personal property.

Cyber coverage may be triggered if laptops, phones, or other electronic devices were stolen and not encrypted. Provide immediate notice to your IT department if business electronics were stolen, as minutes can be critical to wipe a device clean.

If you rent a car for business use and experience vehicle crime, the credit card company you use may provide some protection to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Be sure to read the details of this coverage carefully, as the “Other Insurance” will be triggered.

Here are some tips to discourage vehicle thieves:

Also, some car thieves place cash under windshield wipers and lay in wait nearby, hoping you will step out of your vehicle to examine it. When you step out, they rush over to take control of your vehicle. If you see money under your wiper, it’s best to leave it there, drive away, and then notify the police.

No one wants to experience the stress and sense of violation that comes with an auto theft or break-in, but you can lessen the impact of the crime with prompt action. Here is why:

Here is the information you will need to report an insurance claim:

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