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Owners of Cadillac Escalades, Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolutions and Dodge Ram 1500s should be especially aware of the
theft risk for their vehicles. These three vehicles have the highest
rates of theft insurance claims at 4 to 5 times the national average
for all vehicles, according to statistics from the Highway Loss Data
Institute (HLDI).
The Escalade has topped the theft list
for four years in a row, and its EXT version experiences insurance
theft-loss claims that are 16 times the national average.
Because they are so expensive to repair and replace, these vehicles tend to carry higher car insurance premiums for comprehensive coverage, which includes coverage for theft in addition to other non-crash related damages.
The "Escalade not only has the highest
rate of claims but also very expensive claims when they are filed" says
Kim Hazelbaker, senior vice president of HLDI — and this despite the
vehicle's standard antitheft ignition immobilizer. Almost one quarter
of Escalade theft claims are for $40,000 or more.
Worst vehicles for theft loss, 2003-2005 models |
Vehicle |
Average loss per vehicle per year |
Average loss payment per claim |
Theft frequency per 1,000 vehicles per year |
| Cadillac Escalade |
$236 |
$17,913 |
13.2 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4WD |
$123 |
$10,326 |
11.9 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab |
$112 |
$10,088 |
11.1 |
| Ford F-150/350 supercrew 4WD (2005s only) |
$158 |
$17,702 |
8.9 |
| Chrysler Sebring (2004-05s) |
$43 |
$5,077 |
8.5 |
Average for all cars |
| Average |
$22 |
$8,605 |
2.6 |
Lowest theft losses, 2003-2005 models |
| Ford Taurus |
$1 |
$3,872 |
0.3 |
| Pontiac Vibe 4WD |
$1 |
$3,872 |
0.4 |
| Buick LeSabre |
$2 |
$4,905 |
0.5 |
| Buick Park Avenue |
$2 |
$3,270 |
0.5 |
| Toyota Sienna 4WD (2004-05s) |
$5 |
$8,777 |
0.6 |
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