If you're curious about which US states have the highest car theft rates, look no further. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, these are the 10 states with the worst car theft rates in America:

1. California

2. Florida

3. Texas

4. New York

5. Georgia

6. Illinois

7. Michigan

8. Maryland

9. Nevada

10. Washington

In California, car thieves stole over 170,000 vehicles in 2021. That's more than double the number of car thefts in Florida, the state with the second-highest car theft rate with more than 76,000 car thefts. Texas goes third with over 59,000 car thefts, followed by New York and Georgia.

California is well known for its crime rates, however, car theft seems to be a particular issue in the state. In fact, car theft has been on the rise in California for the past few years. In 2017, there were over 158,000 car thefts in the state. The following year, that number rose to over 162,000 car thefts. And in 2019, there were over 168,000 car thefts.

Which states had the least stolen cars?

Here are the bottom five:

46. Wyoming

47. South Dakota

48. Vermont

49. Maine

50. New Hampshire

New Hampshire is the safest state to have a car, with car thieves stealing only around 400 vehicles statewide. The crime rate in New Hampshire is generally low, which may explain the low car theft rate. With an average salary of $68,000 and a cost of living that is 17% cheaper than the US average, it's no wonder people are flocking to the state.

So if you're looking for a safe place to live with your car, New Hampshire is probably your best bet.

How not to buy a stolen car if you purchasing a pre-owned vehicle?

Here are some tips:

• Always check the car's VIN number.
• Do a car history report to see if the car has been reported stolen.
• Be extra cautious when buying a car from a private seller.
• If you're buying from a dealership, make sure they're reputable and that the car comes with a warranty.
• Check the car's title to make sure it's not salvaged or rebuilt.

You can find a VIN number on the car's dashboard, on the driver's side door, or on the car's insurance card. A car history report will tell you if the car has been reported stolen, and it will also give you other important information about the car such as its accident history and mileage.

When buying a car from a private seller, always meet in a public place, and if possible, bring a friend or family member with you. If you're buying from a dealership, make sure they're reputable and that the car comes with a warranty.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that you don't end up buying a stolen car. And if you do happen to purchase a stolen car, you may be able to get your money back if the car is recovered by law enforcement.

What are some things you can do to prevent your car from being stolen?

In order to protect your car from being stolen, one preventative measure you can take is engraving your car's VIN number into all of its windows. This will make it more difficult for thieves to sell your car parts because they can be traced back to your vehicle.

Here are a few extra tips:

• Never leave your car unlocked, even if it's just for a quick errand.
• Always park in well-lit areas.
• Don't leave valuables in plain sight inside your car.
• Install a car alarm or GPS tracking system.
• Never leave your car running unattended.

Most stolen car brands in the US?

• Ford
• Chevrolet
• Honda
• Toyota
• Nissan

Naturally, Ford is in the first place, with 15,378 car thefts in 2019. That easily can be explained by the number of Ford vehicles on the road - it is one of America's oldest and most popular car brands.

The second place goes to Chevrolet with 11,708 car thefts and Honda rounds up the top three with 11,451 car thefts.

Other car brands that made it into the top ten are Toyota, Nissan, Dodge, Jeep, Hyundai, and GMC.