According to AMI, the Toyota Aqua has taken over as the most commonly stolen vehicle in the country, surpassing the Mazda Demio, as car theft claims surged in 2022.
Despite accounting for only 1.47% of the national fleet, the Toyota Aqua, also known as the Toyota Prius C, accounted for 11% of AMI's vehicle theft claims in 2022.
Following the Toyota Aqua, the Mazda Demio now ranks as the second most stolen vehicle, closely followed by the Nissan Tiida. The Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6), Toyota MarkX, Toyota Vitz, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, and Mazda Familia complete the top ten.
A notable addition to the top ten is the Toyota MarkX, with theft claims surging from 21 in 2020 to 441 in 2022, marking a staggering 2000% increase in just three years.
Theft claims reached record highs in 2022, rising by 43% compared to the previous year, and this trend is consistent with the overall AMI data. Despite a decline in thefts due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the firm stated that this is an upward trend.
Wayne Tippet, AMI's executive general manager for claims, emphasized the importance of reviewing insurance details in response to the rising thefts.
"In 2022, we received 8,492 claims for vehicle thefts across New Zealand, representing a 43% increase from the previous year and a 54% increase from 2019."
Tippet advised taking precautions to make cars less appealing to thieves, such as locking the vehicle, removing valuables, and parking in well-lit areas or off the street. While immobilizers are effective, steering locks can also serve as deterrents if a vehicle lacks an immobilizer.
He also urged people to ensure that the sum insured on their insurance policy is up to date. Due to supply chain delays, parts shortages, and other factors, second-hand cars generally retain their value better than before.
"If the worst happens and your car is stolen and declared a write-off, you want to ensure that your sum insured is appropriate for your car."
With nearly 3,000 claims for vehicle theft in the past year, Auckland far exceeded Canterbury, which had 1,214 claims, securing the second position.
Recovery rates remain high, with 94% of stolen Aquas, 93% of stolen Demios, and 91% of stolen Vitzes being recovered. This indicates that the majority of stolen cars are used for joyrides or other crimes such as burglaries.
"Almost all of these cars are eventually recovered, suggesting that they are likely stolen for joyrides or other criminal activities," added Tippet.
Source: 2022's most stolen cars as theft claims soar by 43% (covernote.co.nz)
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