Motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for most of us, and often an indispensable part of our lives. But what would happen if your vehicle suddenly disappeared? There were 707,758 vehicles reported stolen in the United States in 2015, or one every 45 seconds. Vehicle theft is a billion-dollar crime, with the cost of stolen vehicles coming in at more than $5 billion in 2015 alone — up from $4.5 billion in 2014. Nearly 42 percent of stolen vehicles are never recovered.

Washington state had the fourth most vehicles stolen in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How to cut your chances of vehicle theft by 50%

Nearly half of vehicle theft is due to driver error, such as leaving your keys in the vehicle. You can cut your chances of having your vehicle stolen in half by following these common sense rules when you park your car.

Don’t Make Your Vehicle a Target

• Always take your keys and do not leave them in or on your vehicle
• Close windows and locking doors
• Park in well-lit areas
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they can be seen
• Never leave the area while your vehicle is running
• Keep your vehicle in your garage, if possible

My Car Is Stolen! What Next?

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where your vehicle has been stolen, follow these steps:

• Contact police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You’ll need a copy of the police report and/or a case number to provide to your insurance company. You may also be asked to provide the following information: 
  • License plate number;
  • Make, model and color of car; and
  • VIN and any identifying characteristics.
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of when you discovered your vehicle was stolen. Remember, you must purchase “Other Than Collision” (Comprehensive) coverage on a vehicle to be insured for theft. Contact your American Insurance Agent online here, or at (208) 746-9646 to add this coverage to your auto policy today.
• If you find your vehicle before authorities do, contact the police and your
  

Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) fact sheet