Size, Model, Driver’s Age: The three factors in car thefts

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For those of us who own cars, it’s hard to part with them, no matter where we go. In short, a car is an integral part of our daily lives, not only for transportation but also for vacations, entertainment, and leisure. This likely stems from the sense of freedom and independence a car provides.

But what happens if we discover that our car has been stolen? While we may think the chances are slim, it’s a possibility that, unfortunately, we can’t completely rule out.

Certain models seem to be favored by thieves, while others remain off their radar. This is what the 2023 Hellas Direct data shows. The conclusions come from insurance policies of their customers, covering more than 1,000 policies per model, creating a list of car models less or least favored by car thieves.

According to Hellas Direct data, no thefts were reported for models such as the Hyundai Getz, Nissan Almera, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Passat, Opel Vectra, Suzuki Ignis, Honda Jazz, Citroen C2, Toyota Starlet, and Seat Cordoba. Meanwhile, only one theft per 1,000 policies was recorded for the Renault Megane, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Avensis, Toyota Auris, Kia Picanto, Seat Leon, Hyundai Atos Prime, Hyundai Atos, Mercedes C-Class, and Daihatsu Terios.

Small Cars and Young Drivers

Another interesting conclusion from the study is that size plays a role in thefts, as their parts are in high demand. This is due to the fact that the car fleet in Greece is quite old. Since a significant number of vehicles are over 16 years old, the demand for cheap parts has skyrocketed. These parts are in short supply due to the wear and tear on older cars, exacerbated by the high price of genuine parts, perpetuating the problem.

Hellas Direct offers tips to avoid theft. According to their data, if your car is under 3.7 meters in length, it is more likely to be targeted. While the theft frequency for other car sizes is the same (2 thefts per 1,000 insured cars), for small cars under 3.7 meters, the frequency rises to 5 thefts per 1,000.

Driver age also plays a significant role, even though it may seem surprising. Hellas Direct reports that very young drivers, up to 20 years old, reported theft at a frequency of 4 cases per 1,000 policies. The next age groups, 21-30 and 31-40 years old, reported theft at a frequency of 3 cases per 1,000 policies. For drivers between 41 and 70 years old, there were 2 thefts per 1,000 insured vehicles, while for those up to 80 years old, there was only 1 theft per 1,000 policies. However, there is no clear explanation for the correlation between age and car theft risk yet.

Interestingly, thefts tend to occur at specific times, even on particular days and hours. For example, in July 2023, thefts significantly decreased, while in March, they surged. Weekend incidents were noticeably lower, and Wednesday was the day with the most reported thefts.

The Importance of Insurance

Whether likely or unlikely, if our beloved car is stolen, the number one thing to do is to have the proper car insurance covers in place — including covers for partial and full theft. It’s quick and easy to have one’s car protected, either with online insurance or through an insurance agent. To provide drivers with the most comprehensive coverage possible, Hellas Direct offers FlexiPay, which means annual car insurance in 12 debit card installments. This way, everyone can protect their car to the fullest extent possible, including covers that might have been excluded for financial reasons before.

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