CONSUMER INFORMATION

According to National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), "Etching the vehicle identification number onto the window as well as other parts of the car discourages thieves from taking the vehicle and also aids in recovering the vehicle if it is stolen".

Auto theft is an estimated $7.5 billion business and continues to grow despite the declining theft rate across the country, according to the FBI. Their latest figures say that in 1998 auto thieves grabbed 8.4 percent fewer cars than in 1997, but the average value of the cars stolen was 11 percent higher. That means the auto theft industry's cost to consumers and insurers rose $200 million in 1998.

A car is stolen every 23 seconds. The odds of your car being taken were 1 in 171 in 1998, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Police apprehend only 14 % of all auto thieves - a percentage that has remained constant for the past decade.

The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are again the No. 1 and No. 2 stolen cars in the United States. But American cars are creeping up on the Top 10 most-stolen vehicle list. Other cars on that list are: Chevrolet full-size pickup (C/K) ; Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee; Honda Civic ; Oldsmobile Cutlass; Ford full-size pickup (F-series); Ford Mustang; Dodge Caravan and the Toyota Corolla.

In a three year study conducted by the Kentucky state police, 125,000 vehicles were VIN etched. At the end of the year the number of vehicles stolen for that area should have been nearly 800 based on previous year's statistics. Amazingly only four were stolen, three of which were recovered undamaged.

VIN etching not only is a great deterrent, it may also save you money on your insurance. Many insurance companies offer a discount if you show you've etched the VIN number on your vehicle.

With your kit you receive a form to send to your insurance agent to see if they offer a reduced insurace rate. Even if they don't, the peace-of-mind you have from knowing you've lessened the chance your vehicle will be stolen is worth much, much more.

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