Many hardworking Americans enjoy time off around the holidays tounwind and reconnect with family and friends. But, as analyses fromthe National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) suggest, car thieveswould rather operate on a business-as-usual mentality thanluxuriate during the holidays.

For the 11 holidays the Des Plaines, Ill.-based not-for-profitorganization reviewed in 2009, a whopping 22,991 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2008, 24,676 vehicles weresnatched up on those same days. Once again, it would seem thatthese car-coveting criminals have no intention of making (orkeeping) New Year's resolutions. More vehicles were stolen onJanuary 1, 2009 than on any other holiday, whereas the fewestthefts were reported on Christmas Day of the same year.

For six consecutive years, vehicle thefts have been on a downward spiral, with preliminary2010 FBI data pointing to a seventh year. Even so, the NICB--and byextension, the nearly 1,100 P&C insurers and self-insuredorganizations supporting the non-profit--reiterates its commitmentto preventing, detecting, and quelling fraud and theft throughvarious channels and initiatives.