Americans put significant time, money and care into owning and maintaining their vehicles so it’s no surprise they want to protect them from theft. Vehicle theft carries costly consequences, both for those directly affected and also for all vehicle owners.
July marks National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. Summers prove to be the worst season for vehicle theft and AAA is taking the opportunity to warn against the costly vehicle theft problem afflicting communities across the country.
Although trending downward, there is still an alarming number of vehicle thefts across the country every year. After finally falling back down to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, the U.S. has continued to experience a decline nationally in vehicle thefts, with a 23.2% decline from 2024 to 2025, falling from 850,708 thefts in 2024 to 659,880 thefts in 2025, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
That decrease represents 190,828 fewer vehicle thefts year over year. The NICB credits coordinated prevention and intelligence sharing among law enforcement and industry, as well as public awareness campaigns, technology and investments in law enforcement resources and theft prevention programs and strengthened criminal penalties across the country.
But despite national progress, vehicle theft continues to bring immense financial loss and personal disruption. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one motor vehicle is stolen every 48 seconds in the U.S., with vehicle theft costing Americans more than $8 billion a year. California had the highest volume of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2025 with 136,988 vehicles stolen.
In 2025, Kentucky recorded a total of 9,182 motor vehicle thefts, according to the Kentucky State Police. This figure represents a 6.47% decrease compared to 2024.
But some areas of the commonwealth may be seeing an increase when compared to a year ago. Lexington Police crime data shows the Lexington metro area had 823 vehicle thefts in 2025, not including vehicle parts or theft of items stolen from within a vehicle. But for the first five months of 2026, there were 379 vehicle thefts in Lexington up from 305 during that same period of time in 2025.
High-tech criminals
It’s not just a thief prying open a car door anymore. Criminals are increasingly sophisticated with the methods used to steal vehicles, employing advanced technology to bypass security systems. From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, thieves are adept at using tech to exploit vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with disturbing success rates.
Technology has contributed to vehicle theft in other ways as well. Social media tutorial-type videos featuring challenges with detailed instructions for stealing some makes and models of vehicles likely contributed to the surge that sent vehicle theft numbers soaring pass the 1 million mark from 2021 to 2023 and continue to be a concern today.
Vehicle components, valuable are also targets
It isn’t only the vehicle itself that appeals to thieves. Criminals target anything from your vehicle they can sell. Some of the most popular vehicle components stolen include doors, engines, transmissions, air bags, stereos and GPS devices, as well as catalytic convertors, which can be sold for the valuable metals they contain.
Valuables left in the vehicle targeted by thieves include electronics, such as cell phones, iPads and laptops, as well as wallets, weapons (especially firearms) and purses.
All vehicle owners pay the price
Vehicle theft is among the nation’s most costly property crimes, with NHTSA estimating the crime costs vehicle owners billions of dollars every year in vehicle replacement, repairs and other costs. But the cost expands beyond the victim.
“Vehicle theft has become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S., but the victims are not the only ones to pay the price,” says Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Club Alliance. “Even if your car isn’t the one stolen, all vehicle owners are impacted through higher insurance rates and the cost of additional security measures.”
About one-fourth of a typical comprehensive auto insurance premium goes to pay for auto theft claims. Since insurance is all about spreading the risk, vehicle theft puts upward pressure on premiums for everyone.
In addition to the financial burden, victims often experience significant inconvenience, disruption to their daily routines and emotional distress. If they are lucky enough to have their vehicles returned, they will find the value depreciated.
Insurance and theft prevention
Whether your vehicle insurance covers auto theft depends on the policy. Auto liability insurance is required in all 50 states, but AAA says coverage against theft ― comprehensive coverage ― is optional regardless of where you live.
Speak with your insurance agent now, before you experience theft.
The following tips can help prevent theft:
• Never leave your vehicle running with the key in it, even if you are only going to be away for a short time.
• Never leave your keys anywhere in your parked vehicle. The keyless feature is not only convenient for the car owner, but also for the thief who can steal your car with the touch of a button.
• Always lock your vehicle, every time and everywhere you park it. Even without the keys inside, thieves are more likely to steal a car left unlocked.
• Park your vehicle in a garage or a well-lit area whenever possible. When not at home, always try to park in an area where suspicious activity would be noticed by pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Seek well-lit locations.
• Keep valuables stowed out of sight. Packages, shopping bags, electronics, weapons, money and other valuables visible from the outside invite thieves to break into your vehicle and steal valuables or even the vehicle itself.
• Park with your front wheels turned sharply to the left or right. Apply your emergency brake. This can make it more difficult for thieves to tow your car.
• To reduce the risk of carjacking, lock your car doors and keep the windows closed when in your vehicle, beginning immediately upon entry. Never roll down your window for a suspicious or unknown person. Check your surroundings when walking to your vehicle. If a suspicious person is near your parked car, don’t approach it. Keep walking and contact security or the police.
• Avoid leaving your key fob near the entryway to your home. The radio frequency signals emitted by key fobs can be detected by car thieves and captured from a distance. Using a “relay attack,” criminals can amplify the signal from a key fob and send it to another device near the car door. The car is tricked into thinking the key fob is nearby, allowing the thief to unlock, start and steal the car.
To combat thieves, vehicle owners may want to take a four-layered approach to auto-theft prevention. In addition to the commonsense tips above that form the first layer of defense, the other three layers include a warning device, immobilizing device and tracking device.
There are numerous antitheft systems and devices designed to either make your vehicle less desirable to thieves or easier to trace and recover in case of theft. Here are how three additional layers of theft protection work to protect your vehicle from thieves:
• Warning devices. Audible devices, such as a horn alarm, deter theft by bringing attention when there is an unauthorized attempt to enter or steal a vehicle. Visible devices create a visual threat/warning/deterrence, such as the use of steering-wheel locks, as well as theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights and VIN window etching.
• Immobilizing devices. These devices keep thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some incorporate computer chips in ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.
• Tracking and recovery systems. These devices use electronic transmission technology to help reveal the location of a stolen vehicle to law enforcement. In some cases, these devices can even help police catch the thief in the act.
While most vehicles today have factory-installed security systems, your car could still be vulnerable to theft. Despite the cost, having more than one theft deterrent is often well worth the upfront investment. Taking a multi-layered approach to deterring thieves could prevent your vehicle from becoming the next target.
Steps to take if your vehicle is stolen
If you are a victim of vehicle theft, AAA suggests taking the following steps:
1. Contact police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You will need to provide a copy of the police report and/or a case number to your insurance company. You will likely be asked to provide the following additional information:
License plate number;
Make, model, and color of your vehicle; and
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and any identifying characteristics.
2. Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of your vehicle being stolen. In addition to the police report, your insurance agent may ask for additional information. Keep in mind that valuables left in your stolen car are not covered under comprehensive auto insurance. However, they may be covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
3. If you find your vehicle before authorities do, contact the police and your insurance company immediately.
AAA Blue Grass