NER Report: Theft by equipment type.

A National Equipment Register (NER) report says almost 40 per cent of all construction and agricultural equipment theft in the USA occurs in five states, with Texas leading.

Based on more than 5,000 reports submitted to NER in 2005, the database company concluded that Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and South Carolina were the hotspots for equipment theft.

The study revealed that most equipment was stolen from non-owner premises or worksites.

An NER spokesperson described non-owner premises or worksites as those not owned by the equipment owner. "Because these locations are harder to secure, most thefts occur at non-owner premises," she said.

In 2005, more than 70 per cent of stolen equipment was taken from worksites.

According to the report, theft was the most frequent risk to construction and agricultural equipment compared with risks like fire, collision, vandalism and water damage.

The top four equipment brands reported stolen to NER last year were Caterpillar, Bobcat, John Deere and Kubota.

The NER report included recommendations to:

• focus risk management efforts on high-value equipment that is easily transported,
• make accurate information available to law enforcement 24 hours a day, and
• help educate law enforcement personnel and buyers of used equipment about "red flags" to look out for, such as the type and timing of transportation, missing decals, unusual paintwork and missing identification plates.

The report is available to NER member insurers, their policyholders, law enforcement agencies and the media. Email info@NERusa.com for a free copy of the 2005 Equipment Theft Report.