States where cars most at risk of theft amid holiday travel season

Amid this year’s busy holiday travel season, a new data analysis report from High Rise Financial has revealed which states are most at risk for motor vehicle theft.

Every year, holiday travel seems to break new records, and this year is no different, according to insurance and travel agency American Automobile Association (AAA). Travel is once again expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels with just shy of 80 million travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday period alone.

The agency reported 2019’s total travel as hitting 77.78 million travelers, while 2023 hit 78.18 million travelers and 2024 will hit 79.86 million travelers in that same period.

However, as the vast bulk of travelers will hit the road, travelers are being warned about car thefts. According to the report from High Rise Financial, a pre-settlement legal funding company, there are several states where cars are at most risk of theft, with Colorado topping the list.

The report analyzed data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer on the number of motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 citizens in each state for every month over five years from 2019 to 2023.

Newsweek has reached out to High Rise Financial via email for comment on Saturday afternoon.

The Top States for Car Theft

Colorado leads the nation in car thefts, with an average of 51.43 monthly motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents from 2019 to 2023. The state’s highest rate came in 2022, with an alarming 66.43 thefts per 100,000 each month.

Coming in second is New Mexico, with 42.05 average monthly thefts per 100,000 residents, and Washington ranks third at 41.48 thefts per 100,000. These states saw their highest theft rates in recent years, with Washington peaking in 2023 at 57.30 thefts per 100,000 each month and New Mexico peaking in 2022, when there were 48.90 thefts.

Rounding out the top five are Nevada and Oregon, with averages of 38.72 and 36.95 thefts per 100,000 residents, respectively. All five states have seen increasing rates of theft, with spikes during 2022 and 2023.

Other States to Watch

California, Missouri, and Hawaii also rank high on the list, with California averaging 35.19 thefts per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, Tennessee and Oklahoma take the ninth and tenth spots, with averages of 28.57 and 28.15 thefts per 100,000.

At the other end of the spectrum, Maine boasts the lowest rate of vehicle thefts, with a mere 5.58 average thefts per 100,000 residents. New Hampshire and Vermont follow closely, making New England a relatively safe haven for car owners.

A Seasonal Spike

While car thefts remain a year-round issue, the holiday season tends to see a surge, as busy travelers may overlook safety measures, according to a spokesperson for High Rise Financial, who spoke on the importance for travelers to stay vigilant during the holidays.

“Understanding where motor vehicle theft is the most prevalent can be useful for anyone, but it is particularly important for those traveling during the holiday season, when vehicles are often left unattended in unfamiliar areas. Thieves may take advantage of this hectic time of year, when car owners are less vigilant,” the spokesperson said.

If you’re planning to drive through high-risk states, the spokesperson also recommended taking extra precautions, such as parking in well-lit areas and closing your windows, could save travelers from becoming a statistic.

In addition, anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or car alarms and parking under surveillance cameras can also act as a deterrent.