Auto theft up 32 percent in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d'ALENE - Auto theft jumped nearly 32 percent in Coeur d'Alene last year while decreases in Idaho's other metropolitan areas contributed to an overall statewide drop of 6.4 percent, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's annual Hot Spots Report released this week.

The new report shows 900 vehicles stolen in Idaho last year, breaking down to nearly three a day.

More than 170 vehicles were stolen in the Coeur d'Alene area and nearly half of all vehicles stolen in the state, 437, were taken from the Boise area.

While the overall decrease in thefts is encouraging for drivers, auto theft is still a costly crime and vehicle owners continue to pay for it through their insurance premiums.

"Consumers in America pay billions each year for auto theft," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "The cost to replace stolen vehicles and repair those that are recovered is reflected in your insurance rates."

In 2009, auto theft cost more than $7 million in Idaho. Vehicle theft is the nation's No. 1 property crime, costing an estimated $5.2 billion in 2009, according to the FBI.

The average value of a motor vehicle reported stolen in 2009 was $6,505.

The theft rate is based on the number of thefts per 100,000 inhabitants using U.S. Census data.

"Anti-theft technology in newer vehicles is helping to bring auto theft down across the country," Newman said.

NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

National Insurance Crime Bureau is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness.