NICB Offers Auto Theft Public Service Announcement

A vehicle was stolen once every 40 seconds in 2017, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has announced.

The rate of motor vehicle theft nationwide remained about the same as 2016, when it increased by almost 7%, according to a USA Today report. In fact, there were more than 773,000 motor vehicle thefts across the country in 2017, which translates into a rate of 237.4 per 100,000 residents.

In order to help consumers, including commercial fleets, better safeguard their vehicles, the bureau recently launched a new public service announcement.

The PSA offers common sense advice on protecting against auto theft. Remind your drivers to roll up the windows, lock the doors, and take the keys or fob with them at all times. Finally, never leave laptops, cellphones or even items of little worth on the seat or floor, because it invites thieves.

Vehicle theft costs over $6 billion every year, according to bureau.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected from an initial version that stated vehicle theft costs were $6 million.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet