Preventing car theft

In the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 72,000 motor vehicles were stolen in 2023-24, an increase of 17,000 when compared to the previous year. Of those reported to police, a staggering 54% of thefts occurred at a residential location, with 32% occurring in the street or other open land.  
 
In an analysis released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), motor vehicle theft claims are soaring across the country, with Queensland and Victoria experiencing the largest increases in recent years.  

We decided to run our own analysis and looked at attempted theft lodgements received across financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24¹ by NRMA Insurance, SGIO and SGIC. Attempted theft is when damage occurs to a vehicle as a result of someone trying to break in, think attempts at forced entry that could result in damage to your car. While the volumes of lodgements were smaller, with 353 received in 2022-23, and 419 in 2023-24, there was an 18.7% rise when you review those numbers in totality. This rise points to an increased need for owners to take steps to protect their motor vehicles.  

As the stats show, having your car parked at home or in your garage is not always going to guarantee security. And that’s where car insurance can come into play.

Depending on the level of insurance cover someone has and what’s included in their policy, an approved claim may result in:

• getting a replacement car until a stolen car is found
• having a car repaired if it’s found damaged
• receiving a payout if a car was destroyed beyond repair
• emergency accommodation if someone is left with no way home.

Keep in mind that compulsory third party car insurance (CTP/MAI) won’t cover car thefts or malicious damage, but a third party fire and theft policy or comprehensive policy can. Take time to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your car policy to know exactly what you're covered for in the event your car is ever stolen.  
 

Along with keeping your car insurance up to date, there are some practical steps you can take to help reduce the risk of motor vehicle theft happening to you. 

Whether you’re bringing in the groceries from the driveway or ducking into the servo to pay for petrol, never leave your car unlocked while unattended, no matter how short a time it is. It only takes a few seconds for an opportunistic thief to take advantage. Ensure you close all the windows, turn off the ignition and always keep your keys with you. 

Cars with electronic push-start technology have become an increased target for thieves, with devices being used to override the car’s security system and start the engine. The good news is that there are gadgets that can help, known as OBD port locks. 

Physical OBD port locks cover a port that’s susceptible to criminal activity by encasing it with solid metal, while electronic OBD locks require special authorisation to operate the port. Both options can help keep your car safe from unwanted access.

Steering wheel locks not only provide a physical layer of protection, but also act as a visual deterrent. They’re designed to prevent a car’s steering wheel from rotating, making it impossible to manoeuvre the car. The most common one is a bar lock which extends across the wheel and is unlocked with a physical key.

In some good news, our analysis found that lodgements for thefts from vehicles has decreased by 21.9% across 2022-23 and 2023-24. But you can never be too careful; leaving valuable items in plain sight can be an invitation for trouble. 

If you’re out and about, hide valuables in the glove compartment, under car seats or in the boot until you’re home. Likewise, don’t leave documents in your car with your name or address on them. They may be used to steal your identity or break into your home later.

Crooks often look to duplicate plates to carry out crimes and throw off authorities. For this reason, avoid sharing images of your car’s number plate on social media (blur it or crop it out) or car-selling sites, and consider using anti-theft screws to secure your physical number plate on your car if you live in a crime-prone area.

Safety comes first. Move to a safe place, don’t confront the individual, and always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.  

Following a break-in or realisation that your vehicle has been stolen:

• call the police to make a report
• don’t touch anything (this can interfere with the investigation)
• contact your insurance company, who will help you with the claims process
• reach out for support if you need it.

All content on the NRMA Insurance Blog is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be professional advice.