During the five-year period 1987 to 1991, motor vehicle theft in Virginia increased 42 percent, reaching an all-time high of 21,284 thefts. This meant an economic loss of nearly $149 million to taxpayers in 1991 alone. Auto theft was such a problem nationwide that losses were a staggering $6 billion.

In December 1990, the Attorney General, with the full support of the insurance industry, made a recommendation to the Joint Legislative Subcommittee studying motor vehicle insurance, that Virginia implement a Help Eliminate Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.) program and establish an auto theft tip line. The program was established with the passage of Senate Bill 870 in the 1991 General Assembly session and the law went into effect in March 1992.