Grander theft auto: IIHS report shows car snatchers favor upscale rides

Car thieves are either going upscale, have a need to move some stuff, or both. That's one way to interpret the results from the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( IIHS) report on insurance claims. The new list of vehicles with the largest and smallest claims shows big losses for premium, performance, and cargo-hauling models. (Read: " How to prevent car theft.")

The Cadillac Escalade gets the top spot despite engine immobilizers being standard equipment. Owners of 2007-2009 Escalades are the most likely to lose their rides, with an average loss of $11,934 per claim. One of out every four claims is for $40,000 or more. The biggest, baddest Escalade EXT with four-wheel drive being the most likely model to be ripped off. Next up is the Ford F-250 Crew Cab pickup, apparently a favorite of thieves with more utilitarian needs.
High-performance cars are next on the IIHS hit parade, with the Infiniti G and Dodge Charger V8 favorites with thieves not in the midst of a home remodeling. According to the IIHS, all of the above are 3.5 times more likely to be stolen than more ordinary vehicles, including older Escalades, and Ford F-250 pickups without a back seat.

On the other hand, the good news for hybrid drivers is that the Toyota Prius seems to have fallen under car thieves' radar. It, like other fuel-sipping models, seems to have little appeal to car thieves.

Highest losses

Make and model	Claim frequency	Average loss payment per claim	Overall theft losses
Cadillac Escalade	10.8	$11,934	$128
Ford F-250 crew 4WD (2008-09)	9.7	$9,636	$91
Infiniti G37 2-door (2008-09)	7.1	$10,324	$71
Dodge Charger HEMI	7.1	$10,118	$69
Chevrolet Corvette Z06	1.7	$41,229	$68
Hummer H2 4WD	6.2	$10,324	$62
Nissan Pathfinder Armada	4.5	$12,458	$54
Chevrolet Avalanche 1500	7.4	$7,571	$54
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew	8.0	$6,814	$53
GMC Yukon	5.7	$9,499	$52

Lowest losses

Make and model	Claim frequency	Average loss payment per claim	Overall theft losses
Volvo S80	0.8	$619	$1
Saturn VUE 4WD (2008-09)	0.7	$1,445	$1
Nissan Murano (2009)	0.7	$1,790	$1
Saturn VUE (2008-09)	0.6	$2,340	$1
Honda Pilot 4WD (2009)	0.8	$1,927	$2
Subaru Impreza (2008-09)	0.9	$1,858	$2
Toyota Prius	0.8	$2,203	$2
Mini Cooper	0.8	$2,134	$2
Toyota Tacoma double 4WD	2.8	$619	$2
Toyota Sienna 4WD	0.8	$2,203	$2

— Jim Travers

Related:
Guide to car insurance
How to prevent car theft
Reality check: How useful are used-car history reports?