What counts as a police report for an insurance claim?

"Police report" is shorthand that means different things to different insurers and different state police forces. Here is the version that actually gets your claim across the line.

What you need

• A police event number — every state issues one for any reported incident
• Confirmation in writing (email or SMS) showing the event number and the date the report was lodged
• A short narrative of what was taken — your version, in your words, with model and serial numbers where you have them

The number alone is enough for most insurers. The written confirmation is what saves you when an assessor disputes whether the report was lodged on time.

How to lodge in each state

• NSW — NSW Police online services portal, or call 131 444 for the Police Assistance Line
• VIC — Victoria Police online reporting portal, or call 131 444
• QLD — Queensland Police online property crime form, or call Policelink on 131 444
• WA — WA Police online reporting portal, or call 131 444
• SA — SA Police online incident report form, or call 131 444
• TAS — Tasmania Police online reporting (verify on police.tas.gov.au), or call 131 444
• ACT — ACT Policing online reporting (police.act.gov.au), or call 131 444
• NT — NT Police online reporting (pfes.nt.gov.au), or call 131 444

For a theft in progress or any situation where there is a threat to safety, ring 000. Online portals are for after-the-fact reporting of property crime.

What insurers reject and why

• Late lodgement — most policies require the report within 24–72 hours. Lodge the same day if you can.
• No event number on the claim form — "I rang the cops" is not enough; you need the number
• Different facts in the police report vs the insurance claim — keep both consistent (write the narrative once, copy and paste)
• No serial numbers or proof of ownership — the report can be perfect; the claim still bounces if you cannot prove what was taken