1994 Honda Accord Oregon’s most-stolen car, insurers say

The vehicle thieves targeted most often in Oregon last year is the 1994 Honda Accord, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual Hot Wheels Report.

The 2015 Top 10 most stolen list for Oregon includes vehicle years ranging from 1994 to 2004. According to NICB, certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of their longevity and the value of their parts, plus they are easier to steal. Newer and more expensive vehicles often have more sophisticated alarms and anti-theft systems and frequently are stolen to be resold intact or shipped overseas.

No matter what year the vehicle, auto theft is a costly crime vehicle owners pay for through their insurance premiums. The good news is vehicle owners who include optional Comprehensive Coverage in their Auto Insurance policies are covered if their vehicles are stolen.

“Consumers pay billions each year for auto theft,” said Kenton Brine, NW Insurance Council president. According to the FBI, more than $4.5 billion was lost nationwide to auto theft in 2014.

“The cost to replace stolen vehicles and repair those that are recovered is reflected in your insurance rates,” Brine added. “That makes auto theft prevention an important issue for every vehicle owner.”

Brine also reminded drivers that Comprehensive insurance coverage (also referred to as “Other Than Collision” coverage), is the only coverage available to help auto theft victims recover the cost of losing their vehicle to theft (including repairing a damaged vehicle that is recovered or returned to the owner).

“Comprehensive coverage is not typically expensive, and can usually be purchased separately from other policies,” Brine said, “though many consumers choose to purchase the coverage along with Collision and/or Personal Injury Protection coverage.”

Several Oregon metropolitan areas posted increases in the number of auto thefts in 2015, and the state’s overall auto thefts rose 11 percent, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) recent annual Hot Spots Report.

Bend-Redmond was listed as No. 7 among Oregon metro areas in terms of its car theft rate last year, with 134 thefts, a rate of 76.45 per 100,000 residents — but that was down 18 percent from 2014, the most sizable decrease in the list.

Here is a list of Oregon’s most stolen vehicles, according to NICB’s 2015 statistics:

1. 1994 Honda Accord

2. 1998 Honda Civic

3. 1998 Subaru Legacy

4. 2004 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)

5. 1990 Toyota Camry

6. 1999 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)

7. 1994 Acura Integra

8. 1999 Subaru Impreza

9. 1999 Honda CR-V

10. 1994 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee

NW Insurance Council and NICB offer the following tips to help you reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen:

Keep your doors locked and windows completely rolled up.

Remove keys from the ignition, even when briefly stepping away from your car.

Keep valuable items such as bags, purses, cell phones and briefcases out of sight.

Always park your vehicle in well-lit areas.

Always activate your vehicle’s security or alarm system when parked.

Before buying a new vehicle, check with your insurance company to find out which vehicles have the highest risk of being stolen.

NICB also recommends four layers of protection for auto theft: Common Sense, Warning Devices, Immobilizing Devices and Tracking Devices.

If you witness or have knowledge of an auto theft, contact your local law enforcement agency. Auto theft also can become a form of insurance fraud when owners arrange to have their vehicles stolen with hopes of collecting the insurance money. If you know of anyone who has filed a false insurance claim, call the Fraud Hotline at 800-TEL-NICB.

For more information about the Hot Wheels Report and insurance fraud, call (800) 664-4942 or visit NW Insurance Council.

NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Oregon, Washington and Idaho.