Car theft boom and fire insurance collapse: the Italian paradox

In Italy, there's a problem that's not going unnoticed: the problem of missing cars. It's a problem that can't be underestimated; just look at the numbers: nearly 90,000 vehicle thefts were recorded in 2024, a sharp increase of 31% compared to 2021. This phenomenon is ringing alarm bells in all Italian cities, which are once again becoming a hunting ground for organized crime.

What's worrying, beyond the numbers, is the concentration of thefts, and the surgical precision with which thieves choose their victims. Five regions alone—Campania, Lazio, Sicily, Puglia, and Lombardy—account for over 77% of the total. In Naples, Palermo, Bari, and Rome, people park with their backs turned, knowing that each stop could be their last.

The weapon we don't use

There is a weapon against this threat. It's called theft and fire insurance , and it's the only financial shield that can save drivers from what could be a genuine disaster. As often happens in Italy, however, this weapon remains hidden in the closet precisely where it is most needed. According to the Segugio.it Observatory, the national average coverage of this insurance is 20.5%, but in the most affected regions it is dramatically lower : just 3.7% in Campania, 4.5% in Puglia, and 11.3% in Sicily.

A paradox? Yes, but with a ruthless logic. Where thefts increase, insurance premiums also rise, making the policy too expensive for most users. In Campania, insuring a car against theft and fire can cost up to €431 a year, compared to the national average of €108. A huge obstacle for those living on already limited incomes.

The Cost of Fear

Added to these numbers is the burden of car insurance , which averages around €740 per year in Campania. This sum speaks volumes: it tells the story of families having to choose between protecting themselves or saving, of drivers who forgo coverage so as not to be crushed by yet another large expense. And so, the incredible happens: in the riskiest areas, people insure themselves less . Where thefts are more frequent, people go unprotected.

According to Emanuele Anzaghi , vice president of Segugio.it, " Theft and Fire insurance prices are tied to the probability of the car being stolen, but consumers weigh the absolute cost and their income. The result? A system that provides greater protection to those who need it least ."

Looking at the Italian map, Campania is the undisputed capital of car theft, with over 23% of national cases. Lazio (17.7%), Sicily (14.4%), Puglia (11.8%), and Lombardy (10.8%) follow. In these regions, every parking spot can become a problem and every night a risk. Yet, insurance policies remain the prerogative of those who live in safer regions, such as Piedmont (24.2%) or Lombardy itself (27%) , which are better protected.

Stealing a car today is easy. Getting it back is nearly impossible.

Today, thieves no longer need lockpicks or crowbars. Scanners, tablets, and electronic devices suffice. Technology, designed to simplify life, is also being used for less noble purposes. A car can disappear in less than a minute . And in most cases, it never comes back. Dismantled piece by piece or shipped abroad, it becomes irretrievable. Without insurance, the owner not only loses the vehicle, but is left with nothing and a pile of payments. It's a wound that won't heal with a click.

In an Italy where electric mobility, green incentives, and autonomous driving are hotly debated, there are still those who fight to hold on to their cars. The numbers don't lie: the war against car theft is far from over.