Anti-theft devices saved vehicle insurers and car-owners $60 million in claims in the last financial year, according to Australia’s peak body on vehicle theft reduction.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council’s annual report shows thefts across the country dropped by 7% in the past year. However 57,971 thefts were still recorded.

The council says thieves are resorting to stealing cars manufactured prior to 1999 – thanks to the increasing number of vehicles fitted with immobilisers.

This has saved communities across the country $60 million in insured and non-insured costs and costs to victims.

And although the overall theft costs was $640 million last year, it’s dramatically less than the $1 billion in losses recorded in 1999.

The number of recovered short-term stolen passenger and light commercial vehicles has dropped by 11% to 35,257.

But profit-motivated thefts continue to pose a huge problem, with only a slight decrease from 10,834 to 10,700.

The council says the uptake of immobiliser devices in vehicles has been a major driver in these reductions.

Executive Director Ray Carroll told insuranceNEWS.com.au most vehicles across the country are now fitted with immobilisers. That means the council can scale down its immobiliser fitting program for older vehicles. 

“With the rate now reaching 70%… national attrition of the older fleet will now be left to do the job,” he said.