“We’re number one! We’re number one!” That is normally a good thing, but not when it comes to car theft. Did you know, Colorado is the No. 1 state in the nation for car theft?
Colorado’s auto theft rate has increased 32% from 2020 and seems to be rising. According to the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), our top cities for car thefts are Denver, Aurora, Westminster, and Pueblo. In 2022, more than 40,000 cars (that’s more than 100 cars per day) were stolen in Colorado. Of those, nearly 89% were recovered but most were found partially damaged, missing major components, or damaged beyond repair. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter thefts from vehicles jumped by 1,215 percent between 2019 and 2021. Below is a list of the 10 most stolen vehicles in 2022:
- Kia Sportage
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Sonata
- Chevy Silverado
- Kia Optima
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Sorento
- Ford F-250
- GMC Sierra
- Kia Soul
What Can You Do? Prevention and Insurance
There are some things you can do to help prevent your car from being targeted, and to help recover your car in the event it is stolen.
- Remove your keys, roll up the windows, lock the doors and park in well-lit areas.
- We often see people leave their cars running to let the AC/Heat permeate the car while they wait inside. Don’t do this! A thief only needs an opportunity and a few seconds to jump in and steal your car.
- Deploy a visible or audible device warning that your car is protected such as a steering-wheel lock or an audible alarm.
- Install an immobilizing device that keeps thieves from starting the car like kill switches, fuse cut-offs and fuel-pump disablers.
- Utilize car tracking devices that can track your car, such as onboard telematics systems.
- Report your vehicle stolen as soon as possible.
Going beyond prevention, you need to include comprehensive coverage in your auto policy. Comprehensive coverage is optional coverage (meaning that it is more coverage than what is required by state law), that will pay out the actual cash value of your car if it is stolen. It will also pay out for damages done to a car in an attempted or partial theft. This includes things such as broken windows, damaged door locks, or stolen components. Your policy may also provide you with a rental car while your stolen car is missing or being repaired if damaged while stolen. Keep in mind, this coverage does come with a deductible which is the portion you pay on a claim before insurance kicks in. The most common deductible is $500, but you can choose a higher or lower amount based on your needs.
Remember, if you are not sure what your policy covers or if you are not sure that you have the right coverage, we are happy to help you figure it out. Give us a call today!
This is not meant to be legal advice or a complete discussion of the topic. For more information about your unique situation, contact your professional advisor.









