A general downturn in the number of U.S. auto thefts may be behind a drop in car insurance rates, according to a report released Tuesday by website The Auto Insurance.
The site asserts that statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau show an 18 percent reduction in the incidence of auto theft in the U.S. over the past two years. New anti-theft technology, law enforcement efforts, and the involvement of insurance investigators could be behind this drop, according to The Auto Insurance.
“This translates into real savings for consumers, making it easier to find the best car insurance rates on comprehensive coverage in major metropolitan areas,” the website writes. Insurers carefully monitor a wide array of claims risks, including crime rates in neighborhoods, and raise or lower rates as necessary.
Still, The Auto Insurance advises motorists to continue to do their utmost to prevent vehicle theft, as this can both spare them a headache in dealing with a lost car and help keep the overall rates for their area low. Tracking devices, the website says, are an easy way to make sure that, even if a car is stolen, it can be readily recovered by law enforcement.
In addition, there are some easier measures that car owners can take to limit their risk of becoming a victim of theft. Parking a car in a well-lit area that is clearly visible to passers-by is a great way to make it an unattractive target for thieves, and making sure that there are no valuable items visible to a casual peek in the windows can also help keep a vehicle off a potential thief’s radar.