As crimes of opportunity increase during the summer months, now is the time for vehicle owners to invest in proper vehicle protection.

Nextbase, the global leader in dash cam technology, today announced the results from a new survey around vehicle-related crimes in the U.S. Shockingly, the research revealed that approximately 50% of car-related crimes of opportunity, including burglaries, vandalism, and theft, happen during daytime hours. What makes this finding even more troubling is that these crimes are happening in people’s own driveways more than any other location. The results underscore the importance of vehicle security as thieves and vandals are becoming increasingly brazen.

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New research from Nextbase reveals that approximately 50% of vehicle-related burglaries, vandalism, and theft happen in plain sight.

“We know that vehicle-related crimes tend to increase during the summer months, as warmer weather often leads to people spending more time outdoors, including opportunistic criminals in search of their next target,” said Bryn Booker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase. “Just as one might protect their home with security cameras, the survey findings emphasize that it’s now more important than ever for car owners to protect their vehicles. A dash cam can be a valuable tool, not only acting as a witness to events for investigative and insurance purposes, but also as a deterrent for criminals who don't want their actions recorded.”

Additional key takeaways from the survey include:

• The average value of stolen items in car burglaries exceeded $600. While over half of these victims reported the incident to insurance, 40% said their insurance rates increased as a result.
• Meanwhile, the average cost of damage in vandalism incidents was much higher at $2,295, with 60% of survey respondents reporting the vandalism to insurance, and almost half seeing their insurance costs rise as a result.
• In cases of theft, more than half of cars stolen were newer models and less than three years old. Almost 80% of car theft victims reported the incident to insurance, with nearly 50% seeing their insurance rates rise as a result.
• Across all vehicle-related crimes, over 60% of incidents were reported to police, but only 20% of individuals who committed the crime were arrested.
• Among vehicle crime victims who own a dash cam, 90% would recommend purchasing one to friends or family members. Among vehicle crime victims who do not own a dash cam, over 70% regret not having one.

As inflation persists, and vehicle-related incidents and insurance premiums continue to rise, the need for reliable, smart dash cam technology is critical to protect drivers not only on the road, but also while parked.

Nextbase dash cams provide car owners with a comprehensive protection tool, offering irrefutable evidence, and providing the clarity needed for insurance claims, legal disputes, or simply for peace of mind.

This survey was conducted in collaboration with Drive Research, who surveyed 1,000 respondents across the U.S. in spring 2025.

For more information on Nextbase Dash Cams, visit nextbase.com.

ABOUT NEXTBASE DASH CAMS:

Nextbase is a world-class innovator in automotive-based imaging technology, holding hundreds of patents and design protections. Having created the consumer dash cam category and dominating markets in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, Nextbase continues to lead with its award-winning product range. UK-based Nextbase is now expanding into Asia. With the recent launch of the AI-powered, IoT-connected Nextbase iQ – the world’s first fully connected smart dash cam and the only aftermarket connected car platform – Nextbase is transcending the category it created. The company has integrated market-leading software and data services into millions of dash cams, positioning itself as a key imagery provider for the mapping, autonomous vehicle, and digital infrastructure sectors. Nextbase's retail partners include Halfords, Amazon, Best Buy, and Autobacs, while automotive customers include Toyota, VW Group, Uber, and Grubhub.

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