The Missouri Insurance Information Service is expressing concern over the high number of vehicle thefts in the state last year. Missouri State Highway Patrol figures put the number at more than 25,000 – a slight decrease of approximately 1-percent over totals for 2001. Calvin Call, the Executive Director of the Service, says Missouri’s car thieves are well organized and are stealing the cars mainly for the parts. Call says people buying insurance policies are paying for the thefts. The insurance industry estimates the value of stolen vehicles at an average of more than $6,600 per claim.
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