Don't Become a Victim of Auto Theft

Tips to Keep Your Vehicle and Belongings Safe During the Holidays

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Nov. 22 -- Theft can cast a dark shadow over the joy of the holiday season. State Farm(R) claims data showed that over 9,000 vehicles were stolen between November 12, 2005 and December 31, 2005 -- prime time for holiday shopping and travel. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that over 1.2 million vehicles were stolen in 2005 causing over $7 billion in losses.

As mall parking lots fill up due to extended store hours and families pack up for one of the heaviest travel times of the year, State Farm reminds them to take precautions to keep your vehicle, valuables and purchases safe.

  Secure Your Vehicle
  -- Always lock your vehicle and roll up the windows when parked.
  -- Never leave your keys in the car.
  -- Never hide a key in or around your car.
  -- When parked in a commercial lot or garage, leave only the ignition key
     with the attendant.
  -- Consider investing in additional theft protection devices.

  Protect Your Property
  -- Keep valuables/packages out of plain sight - put them in the trunk or
     under a blanket.
  -- Don't leave personal and vehicle information in the glove compartment -
     keep it with you.
  -- Cover the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - thieves can use this
     number to get a duplicate key.

  Use Common Sense
  -- Park in well-lit areas.
  -- Lock your garage and the vehicle in the garage.
  -- If possible, avoid parking your vehicle in suspicious or unsafe areas.
  -- When parking in the street, turn the wheels toward the curb and set the
     parking brake.  These steps can prevent your vehicle from becoming a
     towing theft.

  Key Features to Consider When Purchasing a Vehicle
  -- A factory immobilizer (a computer chip in the key).
  -- A locking steering wheel.
  -- Anti-theft devices such as alarms and GPS tracking systems.

  Top 5 Most Frequently Stolen Cars in 2005
  -- 1991 Honda Accord
  -- 1995 Honda Civic
  -- 1989 Toyota Camry
  -- 1994 Dodge Caravan
  -- 1994 Nissan Sentra

State Farm urges motorists to report any suspected theft activity to your local law enforcement and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) at 1-800-tel-NICB. Together, we can make it a silent night for holiday theft.

For more holiday safety tips and information about State Farm, visit the News and Events Center at http://www.statefarm.com/ or contact a local State Farm agent.

About State Farm

State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 74 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.8 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).