Owning One of These 10 Cars Will Raise Your Auto Insurance Rates

You're not the only one who finds these vehicle makes and models appealing.

Not everyone shops for cars at a dealership. Thieves are more than happy to pick up their gently-used vehicles off the street, and they don't bring them back after a test drive.

This can be a problem for you in more ways than one. If your car gets stolen, you could be shopping for a new one. And even if it doesn't, your auto insurance rates will go up just because of the increased risk involved.

If you drive one of the following 10 vehicles, you're probably paying extra to own one of a car thief's most desirable targets.

The 10 most stolen vehicles in the U.S.

The following 10 vehicle makes are the ones that were stolen most frequently in 2019 -- the most recent year data is available -- according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's 2020 Hot Wheels Report.

1. Ford Pickup (Full Size)
2. Honda Civic
3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
4. Honda Accord
5. Toyota Camry
6. Nissan Altima
7. Toyota Corolla
8. Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
9. GMC Pickup (Full Size)
10. Honda CR-V

One thing you'll notice is these are all pretty popular cars. And the logic makes sense. If you're selling something, you want to make sure it appeals to a lot of people. Otherwise, you won't be in business very long. That's even true for car thieves.

This doesn't mean you should avoid these cars completely if you're shopping for a new one or that you should sell yours if you already own one. But you need to understand the risk involved, both from a personal and an insurance standpoint. That way, you can take the necessary steps to keep your car safe and your auto insurance affordable.

How to save on your car insurance

If you own one of the vehicles on the list above, consider installing an anti-theft device. There are many types, ranging from audible alarms to steering wheel locks. These may not prevent the most determined thieves from stealing your car, but most will probably move on and look for an easier or less conspicuous target.

The best car insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who install anti-theft devices in their vehicles for this reason. However, not all discounts are available in all states. Some insurers may also have more stringent requirements than others as far as what constitutes a qualifying anti-theft device, so check with your insurer if you're considering this.

Some companies may also give you a discount for parking your car in a garage as opposed to on the street, though this is less common. The logic here is that cars parked in garages are not as easy for thieves to get to. They're also better protected against the elements.

Other actions that reduce the risk of theft, such as locking your doors and not leaving your keys in the ignition, may not give you an auto insurance discount, but they can still save you money indirectly. If you didn't do those things and your car was stolen, you'd have to file an auto insurance claim and your rates would almost certainly go up. By doing what you can to keep your car safe, you reduce your risk of filing a theft claim.

And of course, shopping around and getting multiple car insurance quotes can help you find your best rate no matter what car you drive. Every insurer weighs risk differently. So if you're on the hunt for cheap car insurance, the only way to know if you're getting a good deal is to get a few quotes and compare them to see which company offers you the best value.