10 Most Stolen Cars of 2008

Auto theft has been an issue for as long as cars have existed.  Thieves steel cars for a plethora of reasons.  Some steel with the intent to strip the car down and resell the parts off the car while others steel to use the vehicle as an accessory for a crime.  Regardless of the reasons, car theft is a huge problem in North America that does not seem to be subsiding.

No matter what type of anti theft device you apply to your car, there is always going to be somebody willing to figure a way around it in order to steal your car.  With hundreds of makes and models of cars driving around, there are lots of choices for thieves to pursue when considering stealing your cars.  The only thing we can really do to prevent our auto insurance quotes from consistently going up is to apply numerous anti theft devices in the hopes of deterring criminals from choosing our car over the one parked across the lot.

The following list is the top ten most stolen cars in the United States in 2008, the percentage of claims that they make up for and the average loss payment per claim.

10. 2005-2007 Honda S2000 – 0.81% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $13,624

9. 2005-2007 Dodge Durango – 0.81% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $9,682

8. 2005-2007 Hummer H2 – 0.87% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $18,791

7. 2005-2007 Dodge Magnum – 0.99% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $8,962

6. 2005-2007 Hummer H2 SUT – 1.0% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $23,771

5. 2005-2007 Ford F-350 SuperCrew – 1.07% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $20,138

4. 2005-2007 Dodge Charger – 1.1% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $7,047

3. 2007 Cadillac Escalade – 1.13% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $14,657

2. 2005-2007 Ford F-250 Supercrew – 1.31% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $19,250

2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV – 1.5% of all auto claims

Average loss per claim payment: $13,060

Believe it or not the Cadillac Escalade ESV is the most stolen vehicle out there in North America as of the end of 2008.  Rougly 1.5% of all claims are related to Cadillac Escalade ESV’s with the average claim costing insurance companies over $13,000!

Do you drive any of these vehicles?  If so you may want to invest in a few anti theft devices.  Steering wheel clubs, break clubs, immobalizers and car alarms are just a few precautions you can take.  While they can’t 100% stop a theif, a little extra detterant will help push the would be thief to somebody elses car that is an easier target.