Insured Tailgate Thefts Post Slight Decline
DES PLAINES, Ill.—The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports today that insured tailgate thefts have stabilized since 2014. NICB analysis shows that in 2016, there were 1,877 claims for tailgate theft identified in ISO ClaimSearch®, an insurance industry claims database. That number decreased to 1,788 in 2017. There were 17 fewer thefts noted in this report when compared to the 2014-2015 theft figures.
This table shows the annual tailgate theft claim numbers from 2014:
| Year | Claims |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,895 |
| 2015 | 1,787 |
| 2016 | 1,877 |
| 2017 | 1,788 |
This report is based on insurance claims. Therefore, the actual number of tailgate theft incidents reported to law enforcement agencies may be considerably higher since many thefts do not generate an insurance claim.
The top five states for tailgate thefts—2016 and 2017 combined—were: Texas (1,360), California (1,039), Florida (240), Arizona (156), and Nevada (107). The top five cities for tailgate thefts during these years were: Houston (277), Dallas (242), San Antonio (196), Los Angeles (97), and Fresno, Calif. (79).
See the complete report here.
New vehicles now have locking tailgates that help deter thefts, and owners of older models can purchase tailgate locks to make their vehicles less attractive to thieves. A minimal investment in security can go a long way in saving owners lots of money and inconvenience should they become victims of tailgate theft.
More Resources
NICB ForeCAST Report: Pick-Up Truck and SUV Tailgate Theft Claims (2016–2017) If you have a question, want further information on the NICB, or to discuss insurance fraud or vehicle crime, please contact:
Frank Scafidi
Director of Public Affairs
916.979.1510 [email protected]Or, if you are a reporter and have a request or question, please complete the Media Request Form.
Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.
About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.