Rounding out the top 10 list of most stolen cars are the following:
Theft claims recorded by the insurer surged to a record high of 8,942 in 2022, up 43% from 2021. List newcomer Toyota MarkX is a particularly egregious case, as 441 claims were reported for the sedan in 2022 compared to 21 in 2020, a 2,000% increase over three years.
Taking regions into account, Auckland reported far higher cases of vehicle theft claims with 3,000 in 2022. It’s well above runner-up Canterbury, which reported 1,214 claims last year. Despite the high instances of theft, recovery rates remain high, as more than nine out of 10 of all Aquas, Demios, and Vitzes were recovered.
AMI executive general manager for claims Wayne Tippet (pictured) said that this upward trend in vehicle theft makes it even more important to ensure insurance details are current.
“There are some things you can do to make your car less attractive to thieves, such as locking it, removing any valuables, and parking off-street or in a busy, well-lit area. Immobilisers are good, but if your car doesn’t have one installed, steering locks are effective deterrents too,” Tippet said. “I’d also urge people to check the sum insured on their insurance policy is up to date. Secondhand cars are generally holding their value better than they used to, due to supply chain delays, parts shortages, and other factors.”
Besides theft, the recent weather onslaught from Cyclone Gabrielle is also a topic of concern for State, AMI, and NZI. The insurer group recently urged buyers to exercise caution on second-hand cars that may have been water-damaged by the floods.
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