Louisiana Department of Insurance

Commissioner Donelon Announces Decline in Motor Vehicle Theft and Urges Citizens to Report any Known Incidents of Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Donelon announced today that motor vehicle theft rates are on the decline in Louisiana. Motor vehicle theft rates declined in 2009 over 2008 by 16.8 percent in four of Louisiana’s largest metropolitan areas according to 2009 preliminary data from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. “This is good news for everyone with comprehensive auto insurance since motor vehicle theft is one of several determining factors considered by insurance companies when developing auto insurance premiums,” said Commissioner Donelon.

“The work of the Department of Insurance Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (LATIFPA) is having positive results across the state,” said Commissioner Donelon. LATIFPA has been active in educating consumers about vehicle theft and insurance fraud through a public awareness outreach campaign that began in 2007. This public awareness campaign and other aggressive efforts which include the mobilization of bait cars and license plate readers around the state have contributed to the recent reduction in motor vehicle theft and have raised awareness about insurance fraud according to Commissioner Donelon.

Louisiana’s motor vehicle theft figures were lower in 2009 than in 2008 with 4,614 vehicles stolen in Louisiana’s four major metropolitan statistical areas according to the 2009 Preliminary FBI Uniform Crime Report. A total of 5,547 vehicles were stolen in the same metropolitan statistical areas in 2008. Statewide preliminary numbers will be available from the FBI Uniform Crime Report in the upcoming months. Below is a breakdown of the FBI data showing the recent decline in motor vehicle theft figures in Louisiana’s largest metropolitan cities:

	Vehicles Reported Stolen	2008	2009	Percent Reduction
	Baton Rouge	974	929	4.6%
Lafayette		506	432	14.6%
New Orleans		3208	2612	18.6%
Shreveport		859	641	25.4%

Protecting Against Auto Theft
LDI reminds our citizens to do your part in combating this crime and protecting yourselves from becoming a victim of motor vehicle theft. Consider the following auto theft prevention tips when leaving a vehicle unattended:

Lock your doors and roll up windows
Park in a well lit area-preferably an area watched by surveillance cameras
Never leave your keys in your vehicle
When at home keep your vehicle in your garage
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they are visible

While these tips may ward off the amateurs, it will not deter professional thieves. Other tools, together or in combination, can provide additional layers of protection from theft. Consider using visible and audible deterrents such as audible alarm systems, steering wheel locks and steering column collars. You may also want to consider using immobilizers that stop thieves from hot wiring your vehicle such as fuel cut-off devices, kill switches or “smart keys” with computer chips that must be present to start the vehicle. If a thief is still successful, tracking systems that emit a signal to the police or a monitoring service when the vehicle is reported stolen can result in a faster recovery of the vehicle. These are only a few of the many ideas you can use to protect your vehicle. Remember prevention starts with you and what vehicle theft preventing habits you practice regarding your vehicle.

Combating Insurance Fraud

Another avenue Louisiana has taken to fight insurance fraud was the creation of the Insurance Fraud Task Force in 2000, which includes representatives from the Department of Insurance, State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. This task force has been working together to investigate insurance fraud reports with some resulting in arrests and prosecuting fraudulent insurance actions in the judicial system.

Reporting Insurance Fraud and Vehicle Theft

“Public vigilance goes a long way in combating insurance fraud,” according to Commissioner Donelon. The Insurance Fraud Section of the Louisiana Department of Insurance has recently expanded its online insurance fraud reporting tool by developing a more robust insurance fraud reporting form. Individuals may report suspected cases of fraud anonymously or choose to give their identity when reporting fraud. If you believe you have been a victim of insurance fraud, or if you are aware of an instance of insurance fraud, it is important to report it. To report insurance fraud, visit the Department of Insurance Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us. Just click on “Report Insurance Fraud” on the right side of the home page or you may call us at 1-800-259-5300 or 225-342-4956. To report vehicle theft please call Louisiana State Police at 225-925-3701.

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