- Significant surge observed once more in vehicle thefts across NRW
Auto burglars saw a surge in North Rhine-Westphalia: A grand total of 2,915 insured non-commercial vehicles were pilfered during the previous year, marking an approximately 12% hike from 2022, as per the German Insurance Association (GDV). The financial repercussions reached nearly €57.8 million. On average, insurance companies shelled out around €19,800 for each theft in NRW. The GDV had previously signaled a notable surge in incidents by around 30% for 2022.
Car owners in the state's capital faced the greatest risk: Data showed a staggering seven thefts for every 10,000 insured cars in Düsseldorf. This figure was the highest in NRW and proved to be a burden for the insurance sector, as CEO Jörg Asmussen put it, "In Düsseldorf, each theft cost insurers an astonishing €37,800, the highest figure nationwide by a wide margin."
For the entirety of NRW, the rate of thefts stood at three incidents for every 10,000 insured non-commercial vehicles - only slightly less than the national average of four cases. The GDV reported that criminals had a soft spot for luxury and upper-middle-class SUVs.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, where the highest burglary rate was recorded, Düsseldorf took the lead with seven vehicle thefts for every 10,000 insured cars. Nationwide, luxury and upper-middle-class SUVs were the vehicles most targeted by auto thieves, as revealed by the German Insurance Association (GDV).
