With this month's release of the National Insurance Crime Bureau's list of the top 10 most stolen rides in 2014, there's a lot of talk about just how to avoid becoming a car theft victim statistic. One idea: If you live in California, Washington or Texas, consider a move.
NICB statistics show that cities in these three states fill the list of the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest auto theft rates last year.
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California
- Bakersfield, California
- Stockton-Lodi, California
- Odessa, Texas
- Modesto, California
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington
- Vallejo-Fairfield, California
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
- Fresno, California
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
What gives? Experts say that port and border cities are notorous hotbeds for car theft because they provide a quick jurisdictinal getaway. In fact, nearly half of the top 25 metro areas in the nation for auto theft are home to ports or have easy access to state or national borders.
Another tip to help keep your ride safely in your posession is to know - and buck - the buying trends in your areas. For example, American-made rides consistently prove the most popular among car thieves in Detroit; pickup trucks are the top targets in Albuquerque, Houston and Phoenix; and crooks in Los Angeles love them some Japanese-made rides.
No matter where you live, E3 Spark Plugs offers eight great tips for avoiding having your ride swiped. Read them here and post any additional tips you have on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
