Ten cars most likely to be stolen in Washington

The National Insurance Crime Bureau released the most stolen cars in Washington state in 2010 – and they’re all from the 1990s.

According to NICB, certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts and they are easier to steal.

“Auto theft overall has been dropping over the past decade,” said Karl Newsom, President of the Northwest Insurance Council, “largely because the newer vehicles being more readily equipped to prevent theft.”

Newer vehicles often have more sophisticated alarms and anti-theft systems.

The NICB recommends four layers of protection – including technology. Warning devices, immobilizing devices, and tracking devices, “which is some of the new technology available in newer cars,” said Newsom. The fourth layer of protection is “common sense.”

Newer and more expensive vehicles often are stolen to be resold intact or shipped overseas.

But as long as these older models stay on the road, they’re likely to keep topping the list of most stolen vehicles.

“Hondas and Toyotas run for several hundred thousand miles so there are a lot of these ’90s models still on the road,” Newsom said. “They’re more often stolen because for one, they’re easier to steal, and secondly, they blend in easily if you steal them because there are a lot of them still around.”

To prevent theft or fraud of vehicle theft, the NICB is offering a fraud award of up to $5,000. “In this economy, there has been an increase in people having their cars stolen, so-to-speak and then looking to collect the insurance money and that’s a form of insurance fraud.”

The complete list of most stolen vehicles in Washington state:

1. 1991 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1995 Acura Integra
4. 1990 Toyota Camry
5. 1993 Subaru Legacy
6. 1994 Nissan Sentra
7. 1992 Honda Prelude
8. 1994 Saturn SL
9. 1993 Toyota Corolla
10. 1997 Ford F150