Encouraging news from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): Auto theft is on the decline. The annual report from the NICB on auto theft, "Hot Wheels 2008," projects a decrease in the theft rate of 8.9 percent from 2006 to 2007. Final results will be released later in the year, but this first report certainly looks promising.

There was not much movement in the rankings; the top four models all held onto their positions and some of the other vehicles remained in the top 10 despite slight jockeying. The 1995 Honda Civic, 1991 Honda Accord, 1989 Toyota Camry, 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup, 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 pickup and 1994 Nissan Sentra all made back-to-back appearances on the most-stolen list, along with differing model years of the Dodge Ram Pickup and Acura Integra.

The new additions occupied the bottom of the list: the 2007 Toyota Corolla at No. 10 and the 1988 Toyota Pickup at No. 9.

Generally, as usual, older models were more susceptible to theft — eight of the top 10 are at least 10 years old. The report notes that older models are more attractive to thieves because the market for parts from older vehicles is better than for newer vehicles.

The cars that make the most-stolen list are ho-hum average vehicles — you're very unlikely to see a Mercedes or Volvo on the list. This is partly because expensive luxury cars are more likely to have more advanced security systems; but mainly, there are just more of the common cars around to steal.

In different areas of the country, cars shuffle position in the rankings and the Honda Civic certainly isn't the most-stolen car in every state.

In some of the more rural states in the country, such as Alabama, Indiana, Arkansas, Kansas and Montana, for example, the most-stolen vehicle is the Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup. Drivers in rural areas tend to own more pickup trucks than those in urban areas, and the thieves of course will steal whatever they can get their hands on.

The very same vehicle that tops the list in those states does not even make the top 10 in states like New Jersey, Massachusetts and Hawaii. In these states, and most of the others in the Northeast, the Honda Civic and similar models take the cake.

In Texas, the truck flux is even more striking. Of the top 10 most-stolen cars in the Lone Star State, seven are pickup trucks and SUVs. Other states have their own quirks. Tied for No. 10 on Vermont's list is a Ski Doo snowmobile. In West Virginia, the No. 6 and No. 9 spots are occupied by ATVs.

Car theft is one factor driving your insurance premiums: If you have a car that's stolen more than average, that risk is reflected in the insurance premium you pay.

No matter where you live or what you drive, everyone is susceptible to the dangers of car thieves. So keep your doors locked and do your small part to keep your car's model off the NICB's list.