More than one million vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2023, according to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The rate of vehicle thefts has risen steadily since 2019, and the NICB recently announced it is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this July – National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month – to educate consumers on theft risks and encourage them to collaborate with law enforcement to keep these thefts at a minimum. "More than 1 million families a year have their vehicles stolen, and we all pay the price for vehicle theft through rising insurance premiums and law enforcement costs," NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in a release. "There are simple steps we can all take to secure our vehicles, including never leaving a vehicle running unattended, and locking your car every time. National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month reminds us to act all year to prevent these crimes of opportunity and safeguard one of the most expensive purchases that families will ever make." The NICB and NHTSA offer the following tips to help prevent vehicle theft:

• Park in well-lit areas
• Close and lock all windows and door when you park.
• Keep valuables out of sight by hiding them in places like the glove box or trunk.
• Don't leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Don't leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately to increase the chances of recovery.

In the slideshow above, we'll count down the ten states that saw the largest number of vehicle thefts in 2023, according to the NICB.

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