A surge in vehicle crime and home break-in figures in Victoria has pushed up insurance premiums more quickly than in other states, according to analysis by the Insurance Council of Australia.

The number of insurance claims for theft of or from motor vehicles in the state has grown 61.73% in two years, compared with an 18.63% increase in Queensland and an 11.7% decrease in NSW. Motor premiums have increased 6.14% in Victoria over the period, and 4.1% in Queensland and NSW.

Claims on domestic home and contents policies for theft or burglary are up 28.4% in two years in Victoria, compared with 9.2% in Queensland and 2% in NSW. Premiums have risen 7.3% in Victoria, 1.5% in Queensland and 3.4% in NSW, the analysis shows.

National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council Executive Director Ray Carroll says the true scale of vehicle crime is worse than insurance statistics indicate.

He told insuranceNEWS.com.au that only about half of thefts result in a claim, due to young people having to pay high excesses and many low-value cars being recovered.

However, he believes a corner may have been turned this year.

“Since January the figures have started to fall again as a result of Victoria Police getting on top of some repeat offenders,” he said.