Victoria car theft claims hit $244 million ahead of election

Victoria’s alarming rate of car theft has topped the Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) state election action list, after new figures again identified it as the nation’s car-theft capital.

More than 12,300 motor vehicle theft and burglary insurance claims were lodged in Victoria during the 12 months to June 30, 2026, costing insurers $244 million, nine per cent more than during the previous financial year.

The upward trend is particularly concerning in metropolitan areas and contrasts with falling vehicle-theft claims across every other state and territory, according to the ICA.

During the first half of 2026, the number of claims in Victoria increased by 28 per cent, while those in New South Wales fell by the same proportion.

Queensland recorded more vehicle-theft claims than Victoria in 2023 but has since reduced them, while Victoria’s rate has continued to climb.

This saw the cost of Victorian vehicle-theft claims rise by 26 per cent during the first half of 2026, having increased by 168 per cent since 2022.

“In Victoria, a car is stolen or broken into every 43 minutes,” ICA CEO Andrew Hall said in a statement.

“While other jurisdictions have brought these losses down, Victoria has moved in the opposite direction. There are now more cars stolen or broken into in Melbourne in a year than in every other capital city combined.”

The ICA is calling for action from Victoria’s next government, outlining 10 policy recommendations in its report, A Safer and Stronger Victoria, released ahead of the state election scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026.

“This election is an opportunity for every party to commit to these practical reforms that will make Victoria safer, strengthen disaster recovery and put downward pressure on insurance costs, and we look forward to working with the next government on exactly that,” Mr Hall said.

“When cars are stolen or homes and businesses broken into, the targeted families and owners wear the disruption and anxiety, but the costs flow back to the whole community through higher premiums.”

The report said Victorian motorists pay the second-highest insurance premiums in Australia, with the average comprehensive policy costing $1285.

The ICA’s proposed measures to reduce vehicle theft and property crime include a statewide strategy, stronger intelligence sharing, targeted prevention measures and investment in specialist law-enforcement capabilities.

Victoria Police officially launched a publicly accessible online stolen-vehicle database this week. The tool allows users to enter a vehicle’s registration, make and model to check whether it has been reported stolen and notify police of its location.

It comes only days after Toyota Australia launched a new anti-theft device for two of its most popular models, the LandCruiser 300 Series and LandCruiser Prado 250 Series.

The device follows the introduction of a Toyota-branded steering-wheel lock earlier this year and was developed amid significant thefts of Toyota vehicles, including the RAV4 SUV and HiLux ute.

MORE: The troubling numbers behind Victoria’s car theft crisis