Vehicle thefts in India double within a year; Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru among the most theft-prone cities

• 47% of all stolen cars belong to the Maruti Suzuki brand
  
• Even as cars have become technologically advanced and safer, thieves have evolved to find loopholes
  
• In the event of a vehicle theft, customers are advised to promptly inform both the police and the insurance company
  

When it comes to vehicle thefts Delhi maintains its lead, according to the ‘Theft & the City’ report by Acko General Insurance. As per the report, the country witnessed 2.5 times more vehicle thefts in 2023, compared to 2022. And a whopping 80% of car thefts in India happened in New Delhi!

However, Delhi’s overall share in vehicle thefts came down from 56% in 2022 to 37% in 2023 compared to other cities in India. On the other hand, Chennai and Bengaluru experienced a significant surge, increasing from 5% in 2022 to 10.5% in 2023 and from 9% in 2022 to 10.2% in 2023, respectively.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata have emerged as cities with the lowest incidence of vehicle thefts in the nation.

Lack of parking space to blame

Several factors contribute to Delhi NCR being the vehicle theft capital of India, with a key issue being the scarcity of parking space in buildings and colonies, according to the report. In 2023, Delhi Police official data, as reported by The Hindu, revealed 7,328 calls reporting violent disputes over parking on neighbourhood roads, surpassing the numbers from 2022 and 2021.

Maruti Suzuki leads the list

Additionally, the report emphasizes that 47% of all stolen cars belong to the Maruti Suzuki brand. Cars in high demand, leading to longer delivery timelines, are more vulnerable to thefts. Consequently, the most frequently stolen cars in Delhi NCR are India's popular hatchbacks – the Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Swift, closely followed by the Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Grand i10, and Maruti Swift Dzire in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.

Thieves exploit modern technology to steal cars

Moreover, the evolving skills of these thieves coincide with the increasing technological sophistication of cars. Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features, including keyless entry operating on barcodes embedded in windshields. Thieves exploit this technology by scanning the barcodes and sharing the codes offshore, enabling them to unlock cars and even gain remote access.

Bike thefts witness a higher surge

Curiously, 2023 witnessed a surge in bike thefts, with India experiencing a 9.25x increase compared to car thefts. The top-selling bike, Hero Splendor, secured the first spot among the most stolen bikes, followed by Honda Activa. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 reappeared in 2023 as a favoured choice among thieves, with Honda Dio and Hero Passion joining the list as new entrants.

What to do if your vehicle is stolen?

In the event of a vehicle theft, customers are advised to promptly inform both the police and the insurance company. They should submit essential documents, including the FIR copy, vehicle registration certification, driver’s license, etc., to the insurer. In some cases, customers may also need to provide the original car keys.

If the police fail to locate the vehicle within the stipulated time frame, they will issue a non-traceable certificate. The insurer will then settle the claim based on the terms and conditions specified in the insurance policy.