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Honda Civics Most Popular Car To Steal |
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Written by Wire Services
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Wednesday, 30 November 2005 |
Canada's car insurers announced today that the 1999 and 2000 Honda Civics SiR 2-door hold the dubious distinction of topping this year's most stolen vehicles list. The two models also had the highest theft claims cost per vehicle. In addition, the Honda Civic 1994, 1995, and 1993 models are also found in the 4th, 6th and 10th spots respectively on the list of most frequently stolen vehicles.
The Top Ten Stolen Vehicles are:
1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 1996 4 wheel drive Chevrolet/GMC Blazer/Jimmy S Series 2-door
4. 1994 Honda Civic Si Hatchback 2-door
5. 1993 Volkswagen Corrado 2-door
6. 1995 Honda Civic Si Hatchback 2-door
7. 1992 Chrysler/Dodge Caravan and Voyager
8. 2002 all wheel drive Subaru Impreza WRX, 4-door
9. 1999 Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback 2-door
10. 1993 Honda Civic Si hatchback 2-door
Of particular note, none of the vehicles making the top ten most frequently stolen vehicles list had an Insurance Bureau of Canada-approved immobilizer system that prevent a vehicle from starting unless a specific electronic code is used.
IBC developed a Canadian standard for automobile theft-deterrent systems that was
approved by the Standards Council of Canada in 1998. Many insurance companies provide premium discounts on automobile policies to customers whose vehicles are equipped with an IBC-approved, factory-installed or aftermarket immobilizer system.
VP of IBC Investigations Rick Dubin stated, "Immobilizers are highly effective at deterring car thieves. In terms of this year's stats, you have to go down the list to the 81st most-frequently stolen spot to find a vehicle, the 2001 Audi Quattro 4-door, that registered thefts despite the fact that it is protected by an immobilizer. It just underlines the reality that theft is much more likely when a vehicle is not equipped with an immobilizer."
In contrast, vehicles that were least stolen last year included models that featured immobilizer systems. Those vehicles that were best insurance bets as far as auto theft is concerned included the following:
- 1998 Lincoln Continental 4-door
- 2001 Pontiac Bonneville 4-door
- 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Theft of vehicles (and their components) costs Canadian policyholders more than $580 million annually in insurance premiums. |
