Kentucky recorded 9,182 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, down 6.47% from 2024, according to the Kentucky State Police Crime in Kentucky report released in June 2026. The decline tracks with a sharper national drop. But AAA says summer is the peak season for vehicle theft, and the organization is urging Northern Kentucky drivers to take precautions during July, which is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
Nationally, thefts fell 23.2% from 850,708 in 2024 to 659,880 in 2025, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. One vehicle is still stolen every 48 seconds in the U.S., costing Americans more than $8 billion a year, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"Even if your car isn't the one stolen, all vehicle owners are impacted through higher insurance rates and the cost of additional security measures," said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager for AAA Club Alliance, in a statement Saturday, July 18.
About one-fourth of a typical comprehensive auto insurance premium goes toward paying theft claims, according to AAA. That pressure hits every policyholder's bill.
How thieves exploit key fobs
Criminals increasingly use "relay attacks." They amplify the radio frequency signal from a key fob left near a home's front door, transmit it to a device near the car, and trick the vehicle into unlocking and starting. AAA cited social media tutorial videos as a contributing factor in the rise of U.S. vehicle thefts past 1 million annually from 2021 to 2023.
The most stolen vehicles in 2025 were the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Honda Civic, according to NICB data released in March 2026.
What drivers can do
AAA recommends a four-layered approach:
- Commonsense habits — Lock doors every time, never leave keys in the vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and turn wheels sharply when parked to make towing harder.
- Warning devices — Horn alarms and steering-wheel locks deter opportunistic thieves.
- Immobilizing devices — Computer chip ignition keys prevent hot-wiring.
- GPS tracking — Recovery systems help police locate a stolen vehicle quickly.
Drivers should also keep valuables out of sight and avoid storing key fobs near entryways at home.
If your vehicle is stolen
Contact police immediately and obtain a case number, then notify your insurance company within 24 hours. Comprehensive coverage, which pays for theft, is optional in Kentucky. Valuables stolen from inside a vehicle are not covered under auto insurance but may fall under a homeowner's or renter's policy.
No Boone County-specific vehicle theft data for 2025 was available from the state report. The Florence Police Department and Boone County Sheriff's Office did not provide comment on local trends.
Residents who witness suspicious activity can call the Florence Police Department at 859-647-5420 or the Boone County Sheriff's Office at 859-334-2175.
