According to the Dominican Chamber of Insurers and Re-Insurers (CODOAR), over the last 14 months, from January 2009 until February 2010, an average of 7 vehicles were stolen every day, a total of 2,605 in all. Cadoar says that they paid out RD$350 million in claims to cover the theft of 436 fully insured vehicles in 2009.
CODOAR vice-president Manuel Villaman said that the percentage of vehicle owners covered by the chamber members all over the country is close to 92%, and they paid out an average of RD$800,000 for every vehicle stolen from a client in 2009.
Cars were the main targets in 2009, with 1,061 stolen, followed by SUVs, pickup trucks, trucks and minibuses.
The National Police said that they had recovered a total of 1,705 vehicles: 994 cars, 307 SUVs, 221 pickup trucks and 160 trucks and other vehicles.
According to statistics from the Association, a total of 57% of all vehicle thefts occurred in Santo Domingo or in the National District. Only 11% of the vehicles were stolen in Santiago, 4% in La Vega and 2% in Puerto Plata.