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

    Consumer Reports News: August 03, 2010 12:09 AM

    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?

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