June 22, 2011
By: Bruce Berry
A new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau could show fewer policyholders are submitting auto insurance claims for instances related to vehicle theft.
Citing data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, NICB reported vehicle thefts dropped 7.2 percent in 2010 from the year before. In analyzing that data, NICB noted there were a handful of "hot spots" where criminal activity picked up on an annual basis. Fresno, California, topped that list, climbing from the number five ranking in 2009 to post the nation's highest vehicle theft rate in 2010. Modesto and Bakersfield, California, were unmoved from their previous positions at two and three, respectively.
Spokane, Washington, climbed from a ranking of 18 in 2009 to the fourth spot in 2010. Stockton, California, saw a notable improvement, dropping from fourth to seventh.
"While improved anti-theft technology and law enforcement efforts have had a significant impact on thefts, professional criminal rings and gangs are active in parts of the country and stopping them is the ongoing challenge," said NICB CEO and president Joe Wehrle.
The FBI's May report added that property crimes decreased 5.5 percent in 2010 from the previous year, a good sign that Americans may have had to make fewer homeowners insurance claims resulting from crime.
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