Every year, courier vehicles across Australia lose thousands of dollars’ worth of goods to theft. A single stolen van or missing load can wipe out a day’s earnings, strain client relationships, and potentially put future contracts at risk. For small courier businesses, that kind of disruption can be devastating.
In 2025, the challenge is only growing, as today’s thieves are more organised, tech-savvy and quick to seize any opportunity. However, while the challenges are real, so too are the solutions. With the right mix of modern technology, smarter habits and tailored insurance, you can dramatically reduce your exposure to theft.
To get you started, we’ve outlined six essential tips that will make cargo theft prevention part of your everyday routine.
Stay one step ahead with GPS and real-time tracking
Courier operators now have access to advanced GPS systems that do much more than show where your van is on a map. Modern telematics, for instance, can:
- Track your vehicle live so you always know its exact location.
- Send alerts if your vehicle leaves a set area (geo-fencing) — for example, if you’ve set a delivery zone in Perth and the van suddenly moves outside that boundary without your approval.
- Flag unusual detours or stops (route deviation warnings) that could signal something’s wrong.
Why it matters in 2025: Thieves often strike when vehicles are unattended or follow drivers who stick to predictable delivery patterns. With these systems, you get instant alerts if your vehicle is moved unexpectedly. This gives you the chance to act quickly, sometimes before the theft has even been completed.
Protect your vehicle with these steps
- Invest in a telematics system that includes remote immobilisation.
- Enable alerts for unauthorised movement outside your delivery schedule.
- Share tracking access with fleet managers or dispatchers for rapid response.
Insurance tip
Insurers may view GPS-tracked vehicles as lower risk. This can strengthen your position if you need to make a claim and may even reduce premiums on commercial motor vehicle insurance.
Cargo theft prevention through smarter parking and route planning
Where and how you park can make a big difference to your security. Even stopping briefly in the wrong location, like a quiet side street or poorly lit area, can make your van an easy target. In fact, most cargo thefts occur during short delivery stops or when vehicles are left unattended overnight.
Why it matters in 2025: These days, organised thieves are more strategic than ever before. Many keep an eye on courier routines, noting the same stops or vehicles parked in the same spot night after night. If your schedule never changes or you regularly leave your van in vulnerable areas, you could be making yourself an easy target.
What you can do now
- Park only in well-lit, visible areas where there’s plenty of foot traffic or CCTV coverage.
- Change your delivery routes and schedules when possible to make it harder for thieves to predict your movements.
- Use secure depots, monitored truck stops or locked storage yards for overnight parking instead of leaving your van on the street.
Insurance tip
If cargo is stolen because of something avoidable — for example, leaving your van unlocked or parking somewhere unsafe — your insurer might reduce or even reject your goods in transit claim. By showing you’ve taken sensible precautions, you’re not only protecting your load but also giving yourself a stronger case if you ever need to make a claim.
Strengthen your vehicle’s security with modern technology
Courier vehicles are a very common target for thieves. And in 2025, relying on standard locks alone simply isn’t enough. The reason is that criminals are now equipped with tools like signal jammers and lock-picking devices.
That’s why modern courier fleets are turning to advanced security technology, including high-quality alarms, immobilisers, reinforced deadlocks and tamper-proof seals to keep both vehicles and cargo secure.
Why it matters in 2025: With thieves becoming more sophisticated, traditional locking systems are too easy to take advantage of. Investing in upgraded security measures makes your vehicle a far less attractive target and can prevent opportunistic thefts.
Practical steps you can take
- Install a reliable immobiliser and use a steering wheel lock as a visible deterrent.
- Fit reinforced locks on cargo doors to make break-ins harder.
- Apply tamper-evident seals on high-value shipments so you can detect if cargo has been accessed.
Insurance tip
Upgrading your vehicle security does more than just keep thieves out. It can also work in your favour if you ever need to make a claim. Why? Because insurers are more likely to back you if you can show you’ve taken sensible steps to protect your van and cargo.
Train drivers to stay alert and vigilant
There’s no question that technology now plays a highly important role in cargo theft prevention. But, at the end of the day, your drivers are still the first line of defence. A distracted driver, or one who gets a bit too relaxed, can undo even the best security systems. That’s why regular training and building a culture of awareness are so important for every courier business.
Why it matters in 2025: Courier drivers are under more pressure than ever — long hours, tight delivery windows, and constant multitasking. With so much going on, all it takes is a small lapse in judgement, like leaving the van unlocked for a quick drop-off, for organised thieves to take advantage.
How to put this into practice
- Run regular training sessions on spotting suspicious behaviour and responding appropriately.
- Reinforce the rule: never leave vehicles unlocked or idling unattended, even for a moment.
- Promote a workplace culture where drivers feel comfortable reporting near-misses, suspicious activity or security concerns.
Insurance tip
If theft happens and training records show gaps, liability could shift back onto the driver or business. Documenting regular driver training demonstrates that your business takes proactive steps to reduce risk. And this is something insurers may look favourably on when assessing a theft-related claim.
Use digital proof of delivery and contactless drop-offs
Not every missing parcel is the result of theft. Oftentimes it’s a simple misunderstanding, or a customer dispute about whether a delivery was actually completed. The problem is that lost or disputed deliveries can have the same financial and reputational impact as theft.
That’s where digital tools can help you. Proof of delivery apps, for example, now allow couriers to capture time-stamped photos, signatures and even GPS location data to confirm when and where an item was dropped off.
Many platforms also support contactless delivery confirmation, which has quickly become a customer expectation since the rise of e-commerce and safety-driven delivery standards.
Why it matters in 2025: Customers increasingly expect visibility and accountability for their orders. Clear proof of delivery reduces false theft claims, prevents disputes, and builds trust with your clients. All of this is crucial in a highly competitive courier market.
Practical steps to take today
- Use courier apps that capture time-stamped photos and digital signatures for every delivery.
- Implement contactless confirmation methods, such as QR codes or PIN entry, especially for high-value goods.
- Provide real-time tracking updates so clients know exactly when a delivery has been completed.
Insurance tip
Most goods in transit insurance policies require proof of handover when lodging a claim. That means that having reliable digital records can be the difference between a smooth claim payout and a costly dispute. Keeping these records also shows insurers that your business takes theft prevention and accountability very seriously.
Pair strong security with the right insurance protection
No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that theft could happen. That’s why insurance is such a major part of your overall risk management strategy. The right mix of policies make sure that if something does go wrong, your vehicle, goods and income are all protected.
Why it matters in 2025: Couriers are carrying more parcels than ever, and plenty of them are high-value items like electronics, retail stock, or medical supplies. At the same time, thieves are getting smarter, and recovery rates are still low. Without the right cover, even one incident could put a serious dent in your finances or disrupt your business.
Simple steps to stay protected
Check in with your broker at least once a year to make sure your insurance still matches the way you work. As your business grows or your delivery contracts change, your cover may need adjusting too.
It’s also important to have the right protections in place. For most couriers, that usually means:
- Commercial motor vehicle insurance: Covers your van or ute if it’s stolen or damaged.
- Goods in transit insurance: Protects the items you’re delivering if they go missing or get damaged.
- Public liability insurance: Steps in if someone makes a claim against you linked to a theft incident.
- Income protection: Helps keep money coming in if you can’t work because of a theft-related disruption.
Insurance tip
Having the right cover is only part of the picture. If you can show your insurer that you’ve taken sensible steps to reduce risk, it can make the claims process faster and smoother. And in some cases, it might even help keep your premiums down.
Protect your business against cargo theft in 2025
Cargo theft may be an ongoing challenge but, as you’ve seen, with the right mix of smart technology, strong driver awareness, and tailored insurance cover, you can stay one step ahead.
The key is to take proactive measures, and not wait until after a theft has already cost you time, money and reputation. At GSK Insurance, we help you do just that. We work with couriers and delivery operators across Australia to build insurance packages that cover the real risks you face every day, from stolen goods and damaged vehicles to liability claims and lost income.
Talk to our brokers today about tailored insurance protection for your courier business, and gain the peace of mind to keep your deliveries moving securely in 2025 and beyond.
