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Theft & Burglary
Insurance

Protect your stock, equipment and business contents against theft and burglary involving forcible entry to your premises.

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01 / Overview

What Is Theft and Burglary Cover?

The theft and burglary section of an ISR policy covers loss of or damage to your insured property resulting from theft involving forcible entry to or exit from your premises. This section is distinct from the property damage cover, which addresses physical damage from events like fire and storm but does not typically extend to theft.

For businesses holding valuable stock, specialised equipment, tools or raw materials, theft can represent a significant financial exposure. A single break-in can result in the loss of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of goods - not to mention the cost of repairing damage caused during the break-in itself.

Theft and burglary cover provides financial protection against these events, allowing you to replace stolen items and repair entry damage without bearing the full cost yourself. It also typically covers damage to the premises caused by the thieves during the break-in, such as broken doors, damaged locks and forced roller shutters.

02 / Inclusions

What Is Covered?

  • Theft of stock, inventory and raw materials following forcible entry
  • Theft of tools, equipment and machinery from the premises
  • Theft of office contents including computers, electronics and furniture
  • Damage to the building caused during the break-in (broken doors, locks, windows, roller shutters)
  • Attempted theft where forcible entry is evident but nothing was stolen
  • Theft of fixtures and fittings from the premises
  • Hold-up or robbery involving violence or threat of violence at the premises
  • Cost of re-keying locks and replacing security systems compromised during the break-in
  • Theft from locked outbuildings, sheds and storage areas on the insured premises
03 / Exclusions

Common Exclusions

Theft and burglary cover is designed for specific criminal events involving forcible entry. The following are commonly excluded:

  • Unexplained disappearance, shortages or inventory shrinkage without evidence of theft
  • Theft by employees, directors or family members (covered under fidelity section)
  • Theft from unlocked or unsecured premises
  • Theft occurring while the premises are left unattended and alarm systems are not activated
  • Shoplifting or customer theft from retail premises
  • Theft from open yards, car parks or unenclosed areas (unless specifically extended)
  • Cyber theft, fraud or electronic misappropriation of funds
  • Theft from premises that are vacant or unoccupied beyond the policy's specified period

Before issuing theft cover, most insurers will ask for a security declaration or survey setting out what's in place: locks, alarms, monitoring, CCTV, external lighting, skylight protection, and so on. Any conditions attached to the theft section will appear on your policy schedule and in the endorsements. Where conditions apply, keeping the systems in working order matters - if they're not maintained, a claim may respond differently. The specific requirements and any warranty-style conditions are best walked through with your broker before you bind.

04 / FAQs

Theft & Burglary FAQs

Forcible entry means the thief used physical force to gain access to your premises - for example, breaking a lock, smashing a window, forcing a door or cutting through a wall or roof. Most ISR theft cover requires evidence of forcible entry or exit to trigger a valid claim. This is to distinguish insured theft events from unexplained stock shortages or employee pilferage, which are addressed under different sections.
No, theft by employees is not covered under the theft and burglary section. Employee dishonesty is addressed under the money and fidelity section of the ISR policy, which provides specific cover for losses caused by fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by your staff. If this is a concern for your business, ensure you have adequate fidelity cover in place.
Standard theft cover under an ISR policy applies to items at the insured premises. Theft from vehicles or off-site locations is generally excluded unless a specific extension has been arranged. If your business regularly transports or stores goods away from your main premises, speak with your broker about extending cover to these locations or arranging separate transit insurance.
Security requirements vary by insurer, by risk, and by the sub-limit you want on the theft section. Common examples include deadlocks on external doors, key-operated window locks, a monitored alarm, security grilles or roller shutters on ground-floor openings, CCTV, and adequate external lighting. The specific conditions that attach to your policy will be set out in your schedule and endorsements. Where conditions are in place, not maintaining them in good working order can affect how a claim responds. Your broker will walk through the specific requirements your insurer applies before you bind.
05 / Related

Industries that need this cover most

Industry

Retail

High-value stock and street access make retail a primary break-in target.

 Industry

Hospitality

Cash, liquor, and equipment theft is a recurring risk after hours.

 Industry

Healthcare

Medication, devices, and patient data make clinics attractive theft targets.
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Expert Review: 18/04/2026

Verified by ISR Insurance Specialists