Many hardworking Americans enjoy time off around the holidays to unwind and reconnect with family and friends. But, as analyses from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) suggest, car thieves would rather operate on a business-as-usual mentality than luxuriate during the holidays.
For the 11 holidays the Des Plaines, Ill.-based not-for-profit organization reviewed in 2009, a whopping 22,991 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2008, 24,676 vehicles were snatched up on those same days. Once again, it would seem that these car-coveting criminals have no intention of making (or keeping) New Year's resolutions. More vehicles were stolen on January 1, 2009 than on any other holiday, whereas the fewest thefts were reported on Christmas Day of the same year.
For six consecutive years, vehicle thefts have been on a downward spiral, with preliminary 2010 FBI data pointing to a seventh year. Even so, the NICB--and by extension, the nearly 1,100 P&C insurers and self-insured organizations supporting the non-profit--reiterates its commitment to preventing, detecting, and quelling fraud and theft through various channels and initiatives.
The full report, which is titled "2008 and 2009 National Crime Information Center Holiday Vehicle Theft," may be accessed here.
Source: www.nicb.org.
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