A new report by LendingTree has revealed a significant rise in auto thefts in the United States, with an increase of nearly 14 percent from 2020 to 2022. The report also cited data found by the Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which indicated that in 2023 a vehicle was stolen every 31 seconds across the nation.
According to LendingTree, car thefts rose in 34 states over the two-year period. Vermont experienced the most dramatic surge, with a staggering 163 percent increase, more than doubling its rate of vehicle thefts. Other states with substantial increases included Washington (65.8 percent), Colorado (46.4 percent), Pennsylvania (44.3 percent), and Oregon (40.4 percent). Smaller cities in Washington, such as Kennewick, Bremerton, and Wenatchee, were among the hardest hit.
“We’re talking about smaller places that we don’t necessarily associate with big city problems like car thefts,” explained LendingTree auto insurance expert Rob Bhatt.
Bhatt further explained the rationale behind the rise in thefts. “Bad actors know using a stolen car makes it easier for them to get away with other crimes. Car theft usually isn’t as high a priority for law enforcement and prosecutors as violent crimes.”
The report found that in 2020, 878,484 cars were stolen. In 2022, the number was 999,188, marking a vehicle theft increase of 14.7 percent. The 2022 figure was also 22.6 percent higher than the year 2016, when 815,123 vehicles were stolen.
The report also pointed out the financial impact on consumers, as higher car theft rates have led to increased insurance costs. Bhatt noted that insurance premiums tend to be higher in states where it is more expensive for insurance companies to operate. Areas with higher rates of vehicle theft often see correspondingly higher insurance costs. LendingTree highlighted that the 10 states with the most auto thefts in 2023 had average insurance premiums 5.8 percent above the national average.
