New York Among States With Highest Rate of Motorcycle Theft

The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) advises that motorcycle thefts in New York increased by 23 percent from 2014 to 2015.

According to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), motorcycle thefts nationwide increased by 6 percent during the same time period, rising for the first time in 10 years.

New York State had the fifth highest rate of motorcycle theft in the U.S. in 2015, up from a ranking of 6 in the previous year. From 2014 to 2015, the number of thefts of motorcycles in the state increased from 1,544 to 1,902, resulting in the 23 percent increase.

The most thefts throughout the U.S. occurred in August, and the fewest thefts occurred in February. This is consistent with theft rates in previous years and suggests a continued weather-related pattern.

To prevent motorcycle theft, the NICB recommends several precautions:

• Always lock the ignition, remove keys, and park in well-lit areas.
• Consider anti-theft devices like an alarm or a recovery system.
• Properly document the motorcycle (including taking photographs) and make identifying marks on the vehicle.
• Store the motorcycle title in a safe place — not in the motorcycle’s storage compartment.

“Motorcycle owners should take all possible precautions to secure their vehicles,” Ellen Melchionni, president of NYIA, said. “As the weather grows warmer, it is more important than ever to protect your motorcycle.”

Topics New York Auto Fraud