The Mercedes S class, a very large luxury car, heads the list of passenger vehicles with the highest insurance losses for theft. Overall losses for this car are 10 times higher than the average for all passenger cars. This is the first time in five years that a utility vehicle hasn't topped the list of vehicles with the worst theft losses, which are published annually by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).
"The Mercedes S class has appeared on the 10 worst list for 5 years. It's obviously an attractive target for professional thieves because of its value," says Kim Hazelbaker, HLDI senior vice president.
The two-door Acura Integra has the second worst result, with losses also 10 times higher than the average among 1997-99 passenger vehicles. These high overall losses are produced by different factors, Hazelbaker explains. The Mercedes has extremely high average loss payments per claim, while the Acura's claim frequency is very high.
The four-door Integra has the third highest overall theft loss result. Now Honda, which manufactures Acuras, has equipped all Integras for the 2000 model year with passive immobilizing antitheft devices.
During the 1980-99 model years, theft claim frequencies have declined significantly, but this trend has been mostly offset by increasing theft losses per claim. In 1999, the last year for which information is available, the average theft loss payment per claim also declined.
Worst overall theft losses
| Make and series |
Model years |
Size and type |
Result |
| Mercedes S class long wheelbase |
1997-99 |
Very large luxury 4dr car |
1001 |
| Acura Integra |
1997-99 |
Small 2dr car |
996 |
| Acura Integra |
1997-99 |
Small 4dr car |
757 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4WD |
1997-99 |
Midsize 4dr utility vehicle |
616 |
| Mercedes SL class convertible |
1997-99 |
Small sports car |
539 |
| Nissan Maxima |
1997-99 |
Midsize 4dr car |
509 |
| Lexus GS 300/400 |
1997-99 |
Large luxury 4dr car |
421 |
| BMW 3 series |
1997-99 |
Midsize luxury 2dr car |
409 |
| BMW 7 series long wheelbase |
1997-99 |
Very large luxury 4dr car |
387 |
| Lincoln Navigator 4WD |
1998-99 |
Large 4dr utility vehicle |
387 |
| Note: Results are relative average loss payments per insured vehicle year; 100 represents the average for all cars. |
Insurance theft claim frequencies and average loss payments per claim, 1980-99
