NICB's Annual Holiday Vehicle Theft Report - 2012

News Year's Day Records Most, Christmas Day Fewest

DES PLAINES, Ill., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Of all the holidays in 2012, New Year's Day was the most active for vehicle thefts with 2,228 reported across the country according to analysis of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) vehicle theft data in a report released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).  Meanwhile, Christmas Day repeats as the holiday with the dual distinction for having the lowest theft figure for a holiday, as well as the lowest reported vehicle thefts of any day in 2012 with 1,432.

For the 11 holidays reviewed in 2012, a total of 21,325 vehicles were reported stolen compared with a total of 20,800 reported for those same days in 2011—a 2.5 percent increase.   

Although New Year's Day was the holiday with the most reported thefts, there were 64 other dates in 2012 that recorded more theft activity. June 1, July 23, and August 1 were the most active dates overall with thefts of 2,579, 2,525, and 2,457 respectively.

The holidays ranked by number of thefts reported to the NCIC in 2012 were:

1. New Year's Day      (2,228)
2. Labor Day               (2,158)
3. New Year's Eve       (2,152)
4. Memorial Day          (2,078)
5. Halloween               (2,053)            
6. Christmas Eve         (2,034)
7. Independence Day   (1,955)
8. President's Day       (1,925)
9. Thanksgiving           (1,656)
10. Valentine's Day       (1,654)
11. Christmas Day        (1,432)

See the full report here.

The NICB also reminds drivers to take extra care during the busy holiday shopping season. Aside from vehicle thefts, vehicle burglaries also increase in activity. Drivers should make sure they park in well-lit areas and keep packages in the trunk. Leave nothing visible in the interior and, as always, ensure your vehicle is locked before leaving it.

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422), texting keyword "fraud" to TIP411 (847411) or submitting a form on our website. Or, download the NICB Fraud Tips app on your iPhone or Android device.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness.  The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.  NICB member companies wrote $350 billion in insurance premiums in 2012, or more than 78 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance.  That includes more than 93 percent ($160 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance.  To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau