Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in Idaho

The following 10 cars were the most popular with Idaho car thieves in 2009:

1. Dodge Ram 2004
2. Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size) 1990
3. Honda Civic 1992
4. Honda Accord 1994
5. Ford F150 Pickup 2002
6. Ford Taurus 1996
7. Ford Ranger 1992
8. Ford Explorer 1996
9. Ford F350 Pickup 2001
10. Dodge Neon 1998

Source: NICB (2009 statistics)

What You Can Do to Reduce the Chances of Auto Theft

We’re all victims of auto theft because everyone pays through higher insurance premiums. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 25% of a typical comprehensive coverage premium goes to pay for auto theft claims.

So, what can you do to avoid auto theft? The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommends a "layered protection" approach involving various common-sense precautions and preventative anti-theft measures:

• Common Sense. Lock your car and take your keys and park only in well-lit areas. Don't make it too easy for car thieves.
• Warning Devices. You will often get discounts on your auto insurance for even basic anti-theft devices such as an alarm.
• Immobilizing Devices. If the thief can't start your car, he can’t steal your car. “Kill” switches, fuel cut-off systems, and smart keys are among the immobilizing devices that have proven to be effective over the years.
• Tracking Devices. A tracking device such as Lojack sends a trackable signal to the police or monitoring station. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. While only 57% of all stolen vehicles are eventually recovered, Lojack claims a 90% recovery rate for vehicles that it protects.

Insure Yourself Against Theft with Comprehensive Coverage

Also, even though comprehensive coverage is not required by any state, if you have a car that's worth more than just a couple thousand dollars, it's advisable to get a comprehensive insurance policy. It will likely cost you under $150 per year, but could save you thousands should your car be one of the 800,000 or so vehicles that will be stolen this year. If you have a new car, you'll also want to consider GAP insurance to cover the difference between the replacement value of your car and the amount outstanding on your auto loan.