Missouri Officials Advise Drivers on How to Prevent Auto Theft

July is Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, and Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is using this month to inform drivers of ways to protect their vehicles from theft.

In 2025, there were approximately 660,000 vehicle thefts reported in the United States, a 23% decrease from the previous year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicle thefts cost U.S. car owners more than $8 billion annually.

Missouri ranked in the top 10 states for vehicle thefts in 2025.

“It’s encouraging to see vehicle thefts declining nationwide, but hundreds of thousands of drivers still lose their vehicles to theft every year,” DCI Director Angela Nelson said. “It’s important that Missourians stay vigilant and ensure they understand what their auto policy covers. If you have questions about your policy or coverage, give us a call. Our team is always here to help.”

DCI encourages drivers to take these precautions to help prevent against vehicle theft:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Hide your valuables.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• If your vehicle’s manufacturer does not provide an anti-theft system, consider purchasing extra layers of protection. These can easily be bought in-store or online.
• If your vehicle has electronic transmission technology, consider turning it on or keeping the subscription. This technology can assist law enforcement in locating a stolen vehicle.

Insurance considerations

Comprehensive auto insurance policies cover vehicle theft, including damage caused by a break-in and stolen parts. Items used for vehicle use such as car seats, jumper cables and spare tires are typically covered.

However, comprehensive coverage does not cover the theft of personal belongings such as cell phones, laptops, purses and wallets. The theft of personal belongings would need to be filed under a homeowners or renters policy, which may have limited coverage for personal property away from home, according to DCI.

“Many people don’t think about their insurance coverage until something has happened,” Nelson said. “You might think that you are ‘fully covered,’ but there’s no such thing as full coverage, particularly when it comes to auto insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance agent to ensure you have the level of coverage you need and want.”

Some policies may have a waiting period before payment is distributed in case a stolen vehicle is recovered, DCI said. The department added that if a recovered vehicle experiences mechanical issues, they generally need to be diagnosed before an insurance carrier considers them for a theft loss.

Topics Auto Fraud Personal Auto Missouri