It has been a requirement for all vehicles since 1975 and is made up of a metal honeycomb that filters and transforms hazardous compounds in the exhaust into a safer gas. His shop installs one by bolting a metal shield to the vehicle frame to cover the catalytic converter, which costs about $350, including installation. Comprehensive Coverage Includes Catalytic Converter Theft, What to do if Your Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen, How to Prevent Future Catalytic Converter Thefts. Using powertools,the thieves can get away with your catalytic converter in just a couple of minutes. Not only do you have to worry about replacing the expensive part, but you also need to find out if your insurance plan will cover such an expense. In fact, catalytic converter replacement costs range from about$900 on the low end to $3,500 or even a bit more on the high-end. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. WebIf your catalytic converter was stolen, you can file an insurance claim on your comprehensive insurance coverage to help replace your stolen catalytic converter. Although all catalytic converters are valuable to thieves, they target some car makes and modelsmore than others. If you happen to own any of these cars, you may want to read on to learn how to take extra precautions to keep your car safe. Contact your insurer to ask about catalytic converter coverage or to make a claim for catalytic converter theft. Since the cost of fixing a vehicle after catalytic converter theft without your insurance companys assistance can easily be more than several thousand dollars, it is imperative to decrease the risk of future thefts as much as possible. Get a personalized Health Insurance quote now. With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. The United States has required catalytic converters on all gas-powered vehicles since 1975. But there may still be hope that you can get a new one without any cost to you. It doesnt totally prevent theft, but it does make your car a harder target. As soon as you turn your car on, you may notice a resounding roar that only gets louder when you accelerate. Its against the law to remove the catalytic converter from your vehicle in every state. What Are the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies for 2023? Drivers who do not have comprehensive insurance will not be covered for any type of car theft and will have to pay for a replacement themselves. You can confirm the catalytic converter theft by looking underneath the car for an obvious hole in the undercarriage near the muffler. Browse our catalogue of industry-leading Cat Shields here. Adding Extra Coverage with Life Insurance Riders, How Investing In Life Insurance Can Benefit Your Financial Strategy, Comparing Health Insurance Plans and Networks, Health Insurance Marketplace: A Guide to Coverage Options and Eligibility, Secondary Health Insurance: A Look at How It Works, Understanding The Differences Of Copays, Deductibles, and Coinsurance, Guide To Finding Health Insurance Coverage Between Jobs, Navigating The Health Insurance Subsidy System: A Beginners Guide, How To Choose the Right Medicare Plan for You, How to Get Better Dental Coverage from Medicare, Comprehensive Insurance: A Complete Overview, Understanding High-Risk Auto Insurance: Who Needs It and Why, Pay Per Mile Car Insurance: A Perfect Fit For Low-Mileage Drivers, What is an Insurance Peril? Lets dig deeper into the question of, does insurance cover catalytic converter theft. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. Considering the cost to replace and repair any damage, it may be in your best interest to protect yourself with comprehensive auto insurance just in case. Required fields are marked *. How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter From Theft. Insurers and law enforcement have been able to identify a few patterns. This code holds a lot of information, including who your. Liability coverage is required in virtually every state, while no state requires comprehensive or collision coverage. Use our free car insurance quote tool above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. If your catalytic converter has been stolen, then it may be covered by insurance. Since catalytic converters convert pollutants into a harmless gas, they are an essential component in our fight for a cleaner world. Rhodium a metal ten times more profitable than platinum makes the theft of a cars catalytic converter worth the risk for many thieves since just an ounce of these metals can produce a cumulative of around $30,000 per ounce. Currently, he is using his business and insurance expertise to provide insurance data analysis and visualizations to enhance the user experience. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Between key fobs and security alarms, car protection can seem like a lot to handle for many drivers. By 2020, however, catalytic converter thefts hit a new record at 1,203 per month. help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate The number of catalytic converter thefts in the United States. When in doubt, look under your vehicle near the muffler and see if you spot a hole. Catalytic converters convert exhaust into less harmful gases and any vehicle made after 1974 must have one installed. Can I Drive Without a Catalytic Converter? In some vehicles, such as larger cars, SUVs, and trucks, the loss of a catalytic converter can result in less low-end torque. Thankfully, if you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, youre in luck. But as well as the cost of replacing the converter you may have to fix any damage done to your car during the theft. Please note that information published on this website does not constitute financial advice, and we arent responsible for the content of any external sites. These components have always had value, but rising rates in recent years have made them particularly valuable. Comprehensive car insurance has considerable advantages for those with specific concerns about theft and vandalism. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. The metal inside the converter is valuable, making it easy to resell these devices to scrap yards or other buyers. If you start your car and notice that it sounds significantly louder than usual, check under your vehicle to see if anything is obviously missing. If you want confirmation that your insurance will cover your car in the event of catalytic converter theft, call them and ask directly. How Much Is Car Insurance for 24-Year-Olds? Comparison shopping should be easy. Some examples include electric cars, cars made before 1974, diesel catalytic converters, Subaru, Ford, Hyundai, Dodge, Mazda, Nissan sedans and minivans. Learn More. How Does a Catalytic Converter Get Stolen? People steal catalytic converters because they contain valuable metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. Way, People Also Ask does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft. It can take just 1 to 3 minutes for a competent thief to remove a catalytic converter. Compare quotes from several insurance carriers to ensure that you get the best deal on your auto insurance overall. Your insurance company should cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. This information may be different than what you see when you visit an insurance provider, insurance agency, or insurance company website. Catalytic converter thefts have been growing steadily over the past few years. You may also smell the emissions coming from your vehicle when the catalytic converter is missing. Since the catalytic converter is located at the back of the car, near the muffler, parking with the vehicles rear close to a wall will make your car harder prey. The most commonly targeted cars within the last three years are: Many thieves target tall cars like SUVs and trucks since they are easier to access. Additionally, the police will be able to provide a report which may be helpful in getting insurance to cover the replacement expenses. It only takes a few minutes for a thief to steal a catalytic converter, so multiple catalytic converters can be stolen in a relatively short amount of time. Your exhaust system contains precious metals that thieves want to sell for a profit. Does my car insurance cover personal injury claims? So knowing how you can protect your vehicle can be key. , it is imperative to decrease the risk of future thefts as much as possible. Confirm with your insurance company about whether your auto insurance policy has catalytic converter theft coverage. Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. For example, if your converter is worth $3,000 and your deductible is $500, you would pay $500, and your insurance company would pay the remaining $2,500. All rights reserved. Install a cage around your catalytic converter. Here are 6 common signs to look for: This sign offers certainty that something has been removed from your car and in most cases, it is your catalytic converter. The more expensive a catalytic converter is to replace, the more likely it is to be targeted by thieves, but many catalytic converter thefts are simply crimes of opportunity. They will work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the stolen converter and any surrounding damage caused by the theft. Yes. Making a claim for your catalytic converter theft could also cause you to lose a claim-free discount. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As long as your insurance is up to par, then you dont have to worry about the cost of repairs. Your insurance covers the cost of replacing your catalytic converter minus your comprehensive coverage deductible. You could be charged with heavy penalties and fines due to environmental protection laws if you are caught driving a car without one. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own insurance. In states like California, Texas, and Illinois, the average number of thefts per month rosefrom 652 in January 2020 to 2,347 by December of the same year. They contain rhodium, palladium, and platinum, and its the value of these metals that are making them attractive to thieves - theyre all precious metals that are more valuable than gold. If your converter is stolen, your insurance may cover the theft, depending on the circumstances and the type of policy youve purchased. above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. 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