Now more cars are being stolen, but these owners are getting away at a cheaper price

(Bill 24): Insurance companies reported 2,706 cars stolen last year, according to figures from Finance Norway. This represents an increase of 13.9 percent from the previous year, If Insurance wrote in a press release.

The value of car thefts in 2023 was NOK 124 million.

– Car crimes often occur when gangs specializing in different makes and models operate intensively during periods, says communications director Sigmund Clements at insurance company If.

Shipped via Sweden

– Many of the stolen cars have transportation through Sweden, going from there on ferries or across the Øresund Bridge to Eastern Europe. From there, some are transferred to completely different countries in the world, Clements says.

It reminds us that the car key is the key to knowing whether the car is stolen or not. Many cars disappear because the thief managed to get the key.

– Key thefts occur, among other things, during home burglaries and theft from key safes at car dealerships or businesses. Therefore, you have complete control over the key. The top drawer in an entry hall is where burglars look first, so choose a more discreet place for storage, Clements says.

Lunch box secures key

Some car thieves use high technology to amplify signals or copy electronic signatures on keys.

– My best advice is to keep the key in a tin lunch box at home. It then protects the key's antenna, and the signal it emits cannot be amplified by equipment used by thieves, says If's communications director.

However, if you own an electric car, you are not at risk. Not even close, either. Electric cars are not attractive to steal.

Many electric cars feature smart tracking technology, cameras that can capture images of a thief, and good security systems, Clements explains.

• Tesla has its own safety feature called Sentry Mode. Here's how it works:

Decrease during the epidemic

Why Norway saw an increase in car theft in 2023, there is no complete explanation. But if unfortunately mobile profiteering criminals are to be believed, they have finally returned in full force to Norway now that we have managed to overcome the Corona pandemic.

– During the Corona pandemic, the number of car thefts in Norway was lower than usual. Fewer mobile profiteering criminals were operating in this country at that time. We've seen that, among other things, in the decline in the number of car thefts and home burglaries, says Clementz. Continue:

– Maybe we are back to where we were before the pandemic. Activity actually seems to be a little higher now within different types of crimes for profit. Mobile profit criminals are back at their peak in this country. He says car crimes often occur when gangs specializing in different makes and models operate extensively for periods.