Illinois has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in US this year, new report says

Illinois has the fifth highest number of vehicle thefts in the U.S., National Insurance Crime Bureau data from the first half of the year shows.

The NICB reported in an Oct. 11 press release that law enforcement agencies may still be entering theft data for the first half of the year, so the numbers may change.

The Land of Lincoln experienced the greatest increase of vehicle thefts across the nation, with a 38% spike compared to the first half of 2022, according to the NICB. Missouri also ranked high for its vehicle theft rate, with the 10th most thefts reported of any state. The Show Me State only had a 3% increase though, compared to Illinois’ much larger spike.

The nation is experiencing “near-record” levels of vehicle thefts, the NICB reports, and certain car models are likely at an increased risk.

Last year, a viral TikTok challenge showed viewers how to steal certain Kia and Hyundai models using common tools. Police departments across the nation reported increased theft rates of these models due to the trend, a September 2022 CNBC article said.

Across the river in St. Louis City, vehicle theft rates jumped by 91% in 2022 compared to the previous year, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. This increase was largely attributed to Kia and Hyundai thefts.

The increased theft risk for owners of Kia and Hyundai vehicles without engine immobilizers has yet to wane in St. Louis city or county, KSDK reported, although the car companies have offered free theft deterrent software to affected customers.

“The good news is there are several proactive and commonsense steps consumers can take to help deter vehicle theft, including the most important, which is to never leave your keys or key fob in the car,” NICB President and CEO David Glawe said in the release. “Always lock the doors and roll up your windows and never leave valuables in plain sight; instead place them in your trunk or out of sight.”

Here’s what to know about taking precautions to protect your vehicle from theft.

How to protect your vehicle from theft

The simplest way to help decrease the risk of your car being stolen is to make sure to lock it and take your key with you, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.

You should also close and lock all windows and doors when you park, federal officials advise, and park in well-lit areas when possible.

Along with cars themselves and vehicle parts, items such as purses, laptops, cell phones and other valuables are also common targets of theft, according to the NHTSA, so it’s a good idea to avoid leaving important items in your vehicle, especially if they’re visible from the outside.

You may also consider installing an anti-theft device, such as alarms, steering wheel locks, immobilizing devices or vehicle recovery systems.

If your vehicle is stolen, the NHTSA advises taking the following steps:

• File a stolen-vehicle report to your local police department, and be sure to keep a copy of the police report and/or case number. You may be asked for your vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, color, vehicle identification number and any other identifying characteristics.

• Within 24 hours, file a claim with your insurance company.

• If you find your vehicle, immediately contact the police department and your insurance company.