Thieves target pick-up trucks: Highway Loss Data Institute

The Cadillac Escalade is more than six times as likely as the average vehicle to be targeted by thieves, and has overall theft losses more than 10 times as big, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).
The HLDI analysed insurance claims for 2008-10 vehicles to identify the most frequently targeted makes and models of vehicles. Four versions of the Escalade appeared at the top of the list.
The Escalade EXT, which has a pickup bed, is ranked worst, with more than 14 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years, or more than eight times the average (An insured vehicle year is one vehicle insured for one year, two for six months, etc.), the HLDI reported.
The Ford F-250 crew cab 4-wheel-drive ranked in second place.
Although most of the vehicles on the list come equipped with immobilizers, the device can’t prevent all types of theft, the release continued.
“Immobilizers are a good deterrent against joy-riding teenagers, but professional thieves can easily haul away an SUV on a flatbed truck,” said HLDI senior vice president Kim Hazelbaker.
“A pickup that can’t be driven away is still vulnerable to having tools and cargo snatched from its bed.”