The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) found a disturbing trend — an increasing number of thefts of vehicles with the keys left inside. While overall vehicle thefts are declining, vehicles stolen with keys left inside are on the rise. There were 126,603 vehicle thefts with keys reported stolen in the United State between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014.

Theft scenarios include opportunistic theft while a vehicle is being warmed up in the winter with keys in the ignition and instances where thieves simply drove off because owners left keys in the vehicle console.

Older models stolen more

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Jayleen R. Heft

Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].