A new online mapping tool is making it easier for insurers to quickly obtain motor vehicle theft statistics for all local government areas across the country.

Data can be selected by state/territory, type of theft, theft numbers/rates and vehicle body group, after which a short informative report is generated.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) developed the tool with research service Comprehensive Auto-Theft Research System (CARS), which integrates information from police, registration authorities, insurers and vehicle industry sources.

Access is password-protected but NMVTRC Executive Director Ray Carroll says passwords are available to insurance personnel.

“It is a geographical tool so it allows a visual comparison of the different areas,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “You can call up a map of NSW and see the hotspots right away without trawling through columns and tables.”