Auto Theft Is Evolving: How Agents Can Help Clients Stay Ahead

• By: AnneMarie McPherson Spears
• September 29, 2025

Personal auto theft claims in the U.S. rose steadily between 2019 and 2023, reaching a high of 457,000 in 2023, according to the Verisk “2024 ClaimSearch® Trends Year-End Report.” However, 2024 saw a sharp decline of 24%. Why the drop?

“Retail inventory of new and used cars has improved over the last few years,” says Shane Riedman, president of anti-fraud analytics at Verisk. “There was a brief period of time where you could not buy a used car and it was very difficult to buy a new car, and the prices reflected the demand.”

“As prices have fallen, we think it’s possible that these financial trends make thefts less attractive,” he says.

Additionally, a surge in Hyundai and Kia thefts in 2023, driven by the viral TikTok Kia Challenge, sparked a heightened focus on vehicle security. “In 2023, 1 out of 3 cars stolen was a Hyundai or a Kia,” Riedman says. “But now we’re seeing better security and awareness as manufacturers update their vehicles with ignition blocks, steering wheel locks and other physical and software security measures.”

However, even as auto theft numbers have dropped to similar levels as in 2021, auto theft still has a serious impact on insurance rates. “Law enforcement does not consider vehicle theft as a serious crime,” Riedman says. “The likelihood of getting a recoverable vehicle back in the hands of the insured is low.” The result is more total losses, higher costs—and tougher pricing for everyone.

And even though the headline-making Kia Challenge may have faded, social media is the gift that keeps on giving. “We’re seeing a new trend, and that’s with Infinitis,” Riedman says. In 2024, Infiniti theft rates surpassed those of Hyundai and Kia, with videos circulating on social media platforms explaining how to steal certain Nissan and Infiniti models. Riedman notes that thefts of Infinitis surged 350% in Baltimore in 2024, with hotspots like Oakland and Memphis seeing similar trends.

As social media continues to make theft information more accessible, “manufacturers are aggressively equipping their vehicles with the latest state-of-the-art anti-theft devices,” he says, “everything from hidden GPS trackers to high-security encrypted transmitters in key fobs.”

Independent agents can play a critical role in this turnaround. Riedman encourages clients to ask smart questions when buying a car. “Ask about the security features, ask about engine immobilization devices and embedded GPS,” he says.

Agents can also reinforce the simple habits that prevent theft. “Lock the car,” Riedman says. “There are rings in North Jersey that just drive around neighborhoods and look for Audis and Mercedes that have side mirrors that are not folded in. They know that when the car locks, the car automatically folds its mirrors in.”

Riedman also emphasizes key fob protection. “This is a digital transmitter sending out radio signals,” he explains. “Those signals can be intercepted and spoofed or cloned.” Faraday bags, which block signal transmission, can be purchased online that prevent bad actors from intercepting a key fob signal.

AnneMarie McPherson Spears is IA news editor.