- Berlin serves as the hub for automobile burglars.
Last year, there was a nearly 20% surge in reported vehicle thefts across Germany, as per the insurance sector. Unsurprisingly, the risk of such incidents is most prevalent in Berlin*. A staggering 14,585 insured vehicles were stolen nationwide, as per the German Insurance Association's reports. The cumulative financial loss resulting from these thefts climbed past the 310 million euros mark.
Upon examining the statistics of different German states and urban areas, it's evident that Berlin faces the highest risk of vehicle theft. As stated by the association's CEO, Jörg Asmussen, "a vehicle vanishes from the streets of Berlin every two hours." Berlin continues to be a hub for car thieves, with nearly one-third of all reported thefts occurring within its boundaries.
Fortunately, southern Germany sees fewer instances of vehicle thefts. In 2023, 853 cars were stolen in Hamburg, 2,915 in North Rhine-Westphalia, 181 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 596 in Bavaria, and 574 in Baden-Württemberg. Despite the steady increase in thefts in southern Germany, the risk remains substantially lower than in the capital.
The association revealed that the financial loss suffered by the victims has also escalated. Jörg Asmussen added, "insurers generally shelled out around 21,400 euros for each theft, marking a nearly 6% increase from the previous year." Luxury SUVs seem to be among the most coveted targets for car thieves.
The rise in vehicle thefts was already visibly apparent in 2022, as figures showed a reversal from a downward trend observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The financial loss due to vehicle thefts in Berlin alone surpassed 100 million euros, contributing significantly to the total damage in millions. With each stolen vehicle resulting in an average payout of over 21,000 euros, the monetary impact of these crimes is substantial.
