When accidents occur, having RACV Renters Insurance can help alleviate the financial pressures of having to replace your possessions - or find somewhere else to live.
Security
How to protect your storage and belongings in apartment car parks
Apartment car parks and lockable storage cages may seem secure, but these areas are particularly susceptible to theft and opportunistic burglaries.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria's research indicates that apartment residents are most concerned about thefts from storage cages and cars, as well as car thefts. In addition, the Crime Statistics Agency reported that there were 7,384 thefts and burglaries from multi-dwelling carparks and storage cages in Victoria for the year ending March 2025, a 36 per cent increase from the previous year.
Bambi Gordon, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, says apartment dwellers should avoid becoming complacent, and ensure anything they store in a communal car parking area is as secure as possible.
Whether it's spare furniture, camping gear, bicycles or tools, your valuables can be vulnerable to theft and damage if not stored properly.
As well as ensuring your contents insurance or renters insurance, and car insurance are up to date, there are several things that apartment owners and renters can do to help protect their valuables.
Security tips for apartment car parks and storage cages
Look out for tailgaters entering a car park
Apartment car parks might look safe at first glance, since they often requiring swipe card access or remote control gates. Yet these shared spaces come with unique risks. High traffic, multiple residents, visitors, tradespeople and delivery drivers all increase the chance that someone unauthorised could gain access.
When entering or leaving the car park, avoid letting another car or pedestrian in. Look around you, use your mirrors to see behind you, and wait for the door to close securely before parking or leaving the premises.
Neighbourhood Watch recommends checking that nearby security gates, access doors or fire escapes are also securely closed, and not left open or propped open.
If you do see someone acting suspiciously, contact the Victoria Police Assistance Line. If a crime is in progress, call Triple Zero (000) instead.
Lock your car and remove valuables
Even if your car is in a secure garage or car park, valuables should not be left on display. When you leave your car, take your garage remote, fob or swipe card, wallet or handbag, GPS and any coins with you.
"Most thieves break into cars because they see something they want inside," Gordon says. "By removing any valuables from display in your vehicle, you can reduce the likelihood of theft."
Make sure your windows are fully closed and always lock your vehicle. In addition, keep your keys or car fob hidden and out of sight once you’re in your apartment. OBD locks can also help prevent push-start car theft.
With number plate theft on the rise in Victoria, it’s worth fitting anti-theft screws, too. You can get them fitted at a Neighbourhood Watch safe plate events, your local police station, or buy the screws from a hardware store.
Protect your bicycle or motorbike
If you have a bicycle, e-bike, motorbike or scooter, lock it securely to the available parking infrastructure or a solid fixed point within the parking area. If your apartment block doesn't have secure bike parking, consider keeping your bicycle inside your apartment.
There are a range of security devices that will help prevent bike theft. Neighbourhood Watch recommends securing the handles with a steering and/or ignition lock and using a manual locking device, such as an alarmed disk, D lock or strong, thick chain and padlock.
Record the serial number of your bicycle and any identifying features, so that if it’s stolen, you can include these details when you report the theft to police.
Secure your apartment storage care
Gordon says there are extra precautions worth taking to protect your belongings in a storage cage. Don’t store anything you consider valuable, precious or sentimental in your storage cage, and invest in a quality steel lock, potentially one fitted with an alarm.
An open wire cage packed with bicycles, surfboards, golf clubs or other expensive gear makes for an appealing target.
"People with wire fences around their security cage should line the cage with plastic sheeting or something similar, so that potential offenders are not tempted by what is being stored inside," Gordon advises. You can also store items in opaque containers or lockable plastic tubs where possible, so contents aren't obvious.
Keep especially valuable items (like power tools or e-bikes) out of the car park entirely if possible, like inside your apartment or an internal storage area.
Check your contents insurance coverage
Even with strong security measures, sometimes theft or damage happens. Understanding what your contents insurance covers can help you recover faster.
Many apartment residents overlook that belongings kept in storage cages, garages or car parks may not be fully covered under standard contents insurance. Check your policy wording carefully: some insurers exclude communal areas or limit cover to a lower amount. Consider adding extra coverage if you store high-value items like bicycles, surfboards or tools.
If you're unsure, contact your insurer to confirm coverage and ask whether you need to update your policy.
Install a sensor light and security cameras
If there is insufficient lighting in the communal garage or carpark, it may be an issue you can raise with the body corporate or owners’ corporation. Options include professionally installed motion activated senor lights.
Some residents install small security cameras facing their car bay or storage cage to help deter burglars from breaking in. Always check building rules and privacy policies before installing cameras.
Help build your local community in the apartment complex
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria has information on how to create a safer and more connected community. Their programs include Connect Up, which helps connect neighbours in high-rise residential towers.
Gordon advises that building a friendly and supportive community within your apartment complex is a valuable way to help prevent theft. "Setting up an online community, such as a WhatsApp group or private Facebook group, will help residents keep in touch, and watch out for each other," she says.
As well as setting up an online community, you can build neighbourly connections by greeting your neighbours when you see them and organising a barbecue at a local park.
More: How to improve street security in your neighbourhood
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
