Car theft Qld: Insurance claims show explosion in offences

Queensland has recorded a 101 per cent jump in car theft insurance claims from 2015-24, the biggest increase of any state. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Premier David Crisafulli was elected on an “adult crime, adult time” platform. Picture: Steve Pohlner

• Explained: Qld’s youth crime crisis

Twice as many cars are being stolen each year in Queensland compared to a decade ago, with the cost to victims totalling more than $100m a year.

Almost 7000 claims were made last year worth $113m, amounting to 19 claims a day and 1201 more than the more populated New South Wales.

It comes as the LNP state government introduces its crack “adult crime, adult time” laws in a move to decrease victims of crime and enact tougher penalties on young criminals, including car thieves.

The shocking new data shows Queensland recorded a 101 per cent jump in car theft insurance claims from 2015-24, the biggest increase of any state.

Residents also lost more than $113m to stolen cars last year, a 305 per cent jump from 2015 and the highest increase in the country.

Insurance Council of Australia deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane said the statistics were a growing concern.

“This new data analysis shows alarming rates of motor vehicle theft claims in some parts of the country, which will ultimately cost us all,” Ms Macfarlane said.

The data, by Insurance Statistics Australia, showed Queenslanders made 6919 car theft claims last year compared with 3434 in 2015, with more claims in regional areas than the cities.

More claims were recorded in Queensland than New South Wales, with Victoria the only higher state at 9816 claims.

Shockingly, the frequency of car theft claims in Queensland rose by 62 per cent in rural and regional Queensland, and 39 per cent in metropolitan Queensland in the past 10 years.

Ms Macfarlane said the numbers should not go unrecognised.

“The value of motor vehicles has increased significantly since 2015, as has the cost of parts and labour, putting upward pressure on premiums across the country,” she said.

“However the frequency of motor theft and the cost of that theft, as recorded by the insurance industry, should not go unrecognised.”

According to Queensland police data, car theft (unlawful use of a motor vehicle) has also increased in the past decade.

In 2015, the rate of offending was 16 offences per 100,000 people. In 2024, the rate of offending had increased to 29 per 100,000.

Car thefts in Queensland have led to multiple fatalities, including most recently the death of beloved grandmother Rosemary Franzidis who was allegedly hit by a stolen car north of Brisbane in November.

Premier David Crisafulli vowed to bring down victim numbers during his tenure by enacting tough youth justice measures, which includes sentencing juveniles as adults for serious crimes.

The Bill also removes detention as a last resort from legislation and allows courts to consider an offender’s full criminal history.

Originally published as Car theft Qld: Insurance claims show explosion in offences