Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Hawaii

Car theft is a big problem for car owners across the country. Every year, thousands of vehicles are stolen from owner’s garages, parking lots, or places of business. Also, many cars are taken while people are on vacation or away from their vehicle.

It is important that drivers remain vigilant to their surrounding and take precautions when they are away from home. Homeowners should also have a locked garage or a way to protect their vehicles when at home as well.

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Why Some Cars are Targeted for Theft

There are some reasons why some cars are targeted for theft more than others.

• Thieves target tourists – One of the reasons that car theft is a problem while people are on vacation is because thieves are looking for tourists that they believe are an easy target. In Oahu’s northern shore at Shark’s Cove, for example, tourists are often the victim of car break-ins where personal property is stolen. At times, entire vehicles are also stolen, mostly from tourists while they are visiting Hawaii.
• Thieves target lock boxes – Another problem for tourists is that there has been a rash of car thefts from cars that target cars with lock boxes. Lock boxes are supposed to be a secure place to hide your key while at the beach or away from your car. But this article shows how this has attracted more thefts and the lock is apparently easy to crack.

A Lot Depends on Where You Live

One of the most significant factors that affect the risks of car theft is the location of your home. There is also a pattern to car theft regarding the makes, models, and years of the stolen vehicles. The statistics vary from state-to-state, so it is helpful to know the trends in your area.

Since one of the factors that influence car theft is your home location, it might be a good idea to keep in mind some tips on how to shop for an apartment or home. Some of these tips include making sure:

• It’s near chain or retail stores
• People in the neighborhood are working on home improvements
• You see people walking on the streets
• Crime numbers in the area are low
• School scores in the area are strong
• Homes sell quickly

Auto Theft Laws in Hawaii

Auto theft laws in Hawaii cover a broad range of types of theft. These include break-ins, stolen cars, failure to return a vehicle, and others.

Owners should be aware that any of these could happen at any time and practice sound judgment when parking or leaving your vehicle.

The best thing you can do to avoid a financial crisis if you are robbed of your vehicle is to have adequate comprehensive insurance. Shop and compare rates and companies to get the best rate and make sure you have adequate coverage.

Most Stolen Vehicles in Hawaii

(Click here for an interactive chart)

One of the best ways to protect yourself from the financial loss of a potential car theft is to know which cars are most often stolen. Below is a list of the top ten most stolen vehicles in the state of Hawaii.

#10 – 2001 Dodge Pickup (Full size)

The 2001 Dodge Pickup is a popular vehicle in Hawaii. With its high-powered V8 engine, it is a highly envied truck and tends to attract thieves who are looking for a reliable vehicle. There were 37 vehicles of this type stolen in Hawaii the year this vehicle was released.

#9 – 2004 Nissan Altima

The 2004 Nissan Altima is a Japanese-made automobile that comes in a variety of nice colors. It is an attractive smaller car that gets 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the open road. There were 42 of these vehicles stolen in 2004.

#8 – 2004 Nissan Frontier

The 2004 Nissan Frontier had 44 cars stolen in 2004. It is a type of hybrid car that features a smaller truck body with a crew cab. It features manual transmission.

Thieves agree that it’s a good car and that’s why it’s on the top ten list of most commonly stolen car in Hawaii.

#7 – 1997 Toyota 4Runner

The 1997 Toyota 4Runner is a great outdoorsy type vehicle that resembles the classic Jeep.

It gets 16 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway. It seats five people and has plenty of room to relax and enjoy the scenery. Thieves agree, and they stole 45 of them in 1997, making it the #7 most stolen car in Hawaii to date.

#6 – 2000 Toyota Camry

The 2000 Toyota Camry had 55 thefts in the year 2000.

It is attractive to car thieves due to its nice mid-sized body and ability to get up to 28mpg in the open country. It seats five people and has automatic transmission. It’s a great car for road trips and is a great family or business car.

#5 – 2004 Toyota Corolla

The 2004 Toyota Corolla is an attractive mid-sized car that gets up to 34 mpg in the city. It’s a Japanese car and is considered one of the best family cars. Hawaii reported 64 thefts of this car in 2004, making it the fifth most stolen vehicle in the state.

#4 – 2003 Toyota Tacoma

The 2003 Toyota Tacoma is a sleek-looking smaller but double-cab pickup that features a smaller 4.0 cylinder engine and automatic transmission.

It is an easy car to sell due to its popularity and ability to haul things around easily. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for travel or everyday use. There were 64 of these trucks stolen in the state of Hawaii in 2003, the year of issue.

#3 – 2006 Ford Pickup (Full size)

The 2006 Ford Pickup is a roomy 6-seat capacity vehicle that features a high-powered V8 engine and durable parts.

It is made in the U.S.A., and it is a popular vehicle among Hawaiian car owners. There were 86 vehicles stolen in 2006 making it the third most popularly stolen car in Hawaii.

#2 – 1994 Honda Accord

The 1994 Honda Accord is a smaller model car that is great for an everyday car, open road trips, and much more. It features a smaller 4-cylinder engine and gets up to 27 mpg on the highway. There were 180 of these vehicles stolen in Hawaii.

#1 – 2000 Honda Civic

The 2000 Honda Civic is the most coveted car in Hawaii, according to statistics. It is on record that in 2000, the year of its release, there were 250 of these cars stolen, making it the most common vehicle for theft in the state of Hawaii.

Steps You Can Take to Avoid Car Theft

One of the most important lines of defense you have against car theft is to know where your car is located at all times, especially when visiting in an unfamiliar area. Additionally, there are some good tips for cutting down on your risk.

• Lock your car – When you lock your car, you will significantly cut down on your chances of theft. Remember that thieves rely on the element of surprise, and they count on not getting caught. If you keep your car locked at all times, you will discourage thieves who want to steal your vehicle and run off with the goods before anyone notices.
• Take your keys – Another thing you should do is to always take your keys with you. Leaving an extra set of keys in your car just makes things easier for a thief, who will be all too pleased to find the extra set.
• Park in well-lit areas – Light is the enemy of thieves. If you park your car in a well-lit area, you may cut down on your risk substantially. Just as thieves don’t want to risk having to break into a locked car, they also don’t want to risk being seen in a well-lit space.
• Never leave your car unattended – Leaving your car unattended is like putting out a welcome mat for theft. Many people fall victim to car theft each year because they were leaving their car’s engine running just to run inside a building for a minute. When they return, they find their car is gone.

What to Do If Your Car is Stolen

Despite all of your best attempts to prevent it, sometimes bad things happen anyway.

When you do find yourself a victim of theft, you should take action immediately so that you have the best chance of bringing the criminals to justice.

Here are some things you should do immediately after realizing that your car has been stolen:

• Think it through
• Call the police
• Call your insurance company

These are just common sense things you should do once you realize your car has been stolen. But even more importantly, you should make sure that you have the right auto insurance to cover a car theft.

Some people do not realize that your vehicle insurance that is required by law is only meant to cover accidents. Therefore, you will not be able to file a claim on your standard car insurance. You must have an optional coverage known as comprehensive coverage to be covered for a loss by theft.

Comprehensive insurance also covers the following:

• Vandalism
• Falling objects
• Hail, storms, or acts of nature

If you want to be sure your car is covered for any of these types of damage or loss, make sure that you have comprehensive coverage.

You should take steps now to prevent possible vehicle theft. One of the preventive steps is to get complete coverage. When you have this type of coverage, you are covered for more than just an accident. Talk to your insurance agent to find out more about comprehensive coverage for your vehicle.

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