NICB Sees Decline in Metal Thefts

Claims down 4% in 2018 from 2017 mark

DES PLAINES, Ill., Oct. 29, 2019 — In a new report on metal theft insurance claims, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) found that in 2018, there were 2,887 theft claims compared with the 3,017 claims recorded in 2017—a decrease of 4%.

Release Resources: Report | Infographic

NICB analysts reviewed a total of 5,904 insurance claims for metal thefts occurring from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018—95% of them for copper theft.

The top five states for metal theft claims were: New Jersey (570), Pennsylvania (488), Ohio (410), New York (405), and Illinois (333). When ranked by the number of claims per 100,000 in population, the top five states are: Connecticut (13.8), New Jersey (11.6), Rhode Island (10.6), Delaware (9.2), and Maryland (7.3). The top five core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) were: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NYNJ-PA (415), Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (408), Chicago-NapervilleElgin, IL-IN-WI (272), Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (166) and Cleveland-Elyria, OH (123). A total of 444—or 8%—of metal theft claims were either located outside of a CBSA or did not provide enough information to be included in a CBSA.

NICB reminds property owners that just about any place where copper is present is at risk of theft. The best deterrent continues to be vigilance. If there is a vacant home or business in your area, and you see suspicious or unusual activity around the property, call your local law enforcement. If any vehicles are involved, jot down their descriptions and license plates. Also, note the clothing and physical appearance of any person(s). All of this is very helpful to investigators.

Media Contact

If you have a question, want further information on the NICB, or to discuss insurance fraud or vehicle crime, please contact:

Chris Stroisch
Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications
[email protected]

Nicholas Zeitlinger
Public Affairs Specialist
[email protected]

If you are a reporter and have a request or question, please complete the Media Request Form.

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.