It is therefore important for people to do what they can to prevent theft of their catalytic converters. When you start the car, it may be much louder than usual because a stolen catalytic converter will disconnect the muffler. In short, if your catalytic converter is stolen, youll likely be covered under comprehensive auto insurance but not collision insurance. Yes, Catalytic converter theft is usually covered by comprehensive auto insurance if the insurance package you have is an all-inclusive comprehensive plan. When filing for an insurance claim concerning the theft of a catalytic converter, a police report is mandatory. Plus, you wouldn't be able to pass safety and emissions inspections without a catalytic converter. All insurance rates, products, and services are presented without warranty and guarantee. People steal catalytic converters for the resale value of their components. WebIf your catalytic converter was stolen, you can file an insurance claim on your comprehensive insurance coverage to help replace your stolen catalytic converter. Christa Ehrler is a wordsmith, copywriter, and traveler with over seven years of digital publishing experience. Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. Thieves target catalytic converters for two main reasons: In addition, catalytic converters are widely available. The way that the converter is installed can also make a difference. If you dont have comprehensive insurance, youll need to pay for the repair out-of-pocket. A catalytic converter is part of your cars exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions. Any gas-powered car made after 1975 can be a target, but the top vehicles for catalytic converter theft tend to be older cars because they have a larger amount of valuable metals in their catalytic converters. Catalytic converter theft may leave some owners panicked for answers with their insurance companies, but drivers can rest assured that there are many options. Thieves then sell it to a scrap metal yard, which will then sell it to someone else who can remove and recycle the precious metals. You cannot drive without a catalytic converter. Any insurance policy premium quotes or ranges displayed are non-binding. Catalytic converters are fitted on petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars. Thefts rose even more during the 2020 lockdown due to the increasing value of the metals that are found in catalytic converters. Catalytic converter theft is covered under your comprehensive coverage. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company. Other types of auto insurance wont. or comparison engine, providing real-time rates and insurance services in all 50 states through its relationships with carrier and agency partners. report a claim Cars with a high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, including vans and 4x4s. If you discover your catalytic converter has been stolen, take your car to a mechanic immediately. Steps for filing a claim with your insurance company to replace your stolen catalytic converter 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. Gases such as carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea when inhaled. Content provided by Insurance Panda is for consumer education purposes, and is not intended to suggest any relationship with the brands or products compared herein. Install a cage around your catalytic converter. This is because metals degrade as they filter pollutants from exhaust, and hybrids have lower emissions than gas-powered cars. A stolen catalytic converter naturally falls under the theft category. As catalytic convert theft rates skyrocket, its more important than ever to protect your vehicle against catalytic converter theft. But as well as the cost of replacing the converter you may have to fix any damage done to your car during the theft. 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. What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? Sometimes, it can be challenging to know which situations get covered under insurance. If you cant do that, try to park in a well-lit area or an area with surveillance cameras. The car wont drive smoothly, it will accelerate loudly, and it will generally sputter and jolt as you speed up while driving.. Over the last few years, theres been a large increase in the theft of catalytic converters. Your insurance company can explain the next steps to take like visiting a local repair shop and paying your deductible. For those with deductible plans, you may be obligated to pay for the replacement of a converter if you havent met your deductible amount yet. You may also notice a foul odor from the unclean exhaust now exiting the vehicle. A catalytic converter is a key automotive component that reduces harmful emissions. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance company will help you through the next steps in repairing or replacing your car, as needed. Emissions enter the catalytic converter and pass through a metal-coated ceramic honeycomb inside. Few people check their catalytic converter before starting their vehicle. above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. 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. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. Does my car insurance cover me in other cars? If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Insurance doesn't have to be complicated. How to Update Your Drivers License After Moving to a New State. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. What did you do? 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. Gases pass through an input pipe into the converter itself, which looks like a metal box. Will a Citation Impact My Insurance and Driving Records. Complete car repairs. Park your car in a well-lit area, or install motion-sensitive lights around your house to deter thieves. Shop Around for Comprehensive Car Insurance To Protect Yourself. Life insurance teamMonday-Thursday 9am-10pm ETFriday-Sunday 9am-8pm ET, Home & auto insurance teamMonday-Friday 9am-9pm ET, Disability insurance teamMonday-Friday 9am-6pm ET, 555 S. Mangum St., 6th FlDurham, NC 27701. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. A typical catalytic converter repair job costs $1,100 to $2,600, including parts and labor. Popular vehicles include the Toyota Prius, the Chrysler 200, the Honda CR-V, the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ford Econoline series of vans. Use our free car insurance quote tool above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. Catalytic Converter Theft - Full Coverage Car Insurance. Your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the stolen converter and any surrounding damage caused by the theft. If you get under your car and see that there are missing pieces, often indicated by open holes, broken pipes, or missing bolts, you are the victim of theft. Bolt-on converters are easier to steal, so concerned owners should check to see how their converter is attached. How much does it cost to replace a stolen catalytic converter? Email us ateditorial@policygenius.com. However, you should keep in mind that Collision Coverage does not cover you in the even of an auto accident involving an animal. Is Catalytic Converter Theft Covered by Insurance? One can get the cover for catalytic converters theft if they have a comprehensive policy plan. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i Our panel of insurance experts has reviewed the content to ensure that our reporting and statistics are accurate, easy to understand and unbiased. As such, more and more precious metals have been incorporated into the creation of catalytic converters, leaving thieves more inclined to steal them. Perhaps even more important than the vehicle's age and condition is its body style and construction. Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Having your converter stolen is a horrible feeling. Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. The final insurance policy premium for any policy is determined by the underwriting insurance company following application. Thievesusually work by jackingup the car to access the catalytic converter,enabling them to cut it out-and it doesnt take longto do. Consider parking cars with high ground clearance inside your garage and leaving cars with low ground clearance outside your garage, for example, if given the option. By 2020, however, catalytic converter thefts hit a new record at 1,203 per month. Confirm with your insurance company about whether your auto insurance policy has catalytic converter theft coverage. In 2020, insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter ranged from $500 to $3,000. Catalytic converter thefts have increased to record highs in recent years. According to the Congressional Research Service, 14,433 catalytic converters were stolen in 2020. There are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your catalytic converter being stolen: Read about smart doorbells and how you canset up a smart home on a budget. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MyCarVoice.com is a crowdsource platform with the goal of helping owners with their car problems. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In somecases,the DPF (diesel particulate filter) is also stolen from diesel cars. It consists of a ceramic honeycomb coated in metals (typically platinum, rhodium, and palladium) that allows dangerous substances in the car's exhaust to recombine and convert into safer gases. If your cars rear is inaccessible, thieves will be less likely to target your vehicle since the converter will be harder to get. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Have you ever had something stolen from your car? Chat now to ask Flo anything or explore commonly asked questions. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'mycarvoice_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mycarvoice_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');But the good news is, if you have comprehensive car insurance, then any theft that occurs to your vehicle is covered. What Is a Catalytic If someone steals your catalytic converter, you may be able to claim it under your comprehensive auto insurance policy. And if the claimisfor more than your cars worth then the insurance company will write it off. She is a Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. If approved, your insurer covers the cost of the new converter minus the deductible, which you pay out of pocket. You may also smell the emissions coming from your vehicle when the catalytic converter is missing. Which is why its crucial to know what your car insurance covers. However, replacing a catalytic converter on some vehicles may cost $3,000 to $4,000. The vehicle will also seem less responsive than usual and will lack acceleration. His shop installs one by bolting a metal shield to the vehicle frame to cover the catalytic converter, which costs about $350, including installation. Catch what's new from Progressive online, on TV, and on the road. To compare quotes from many different car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. Be prepared to The organization tracks the number of catalytic converter thefts reported to insurance agencies. A bonus with installing an alarm is that some insurance companies may offer a car alarm insurance discount. This type of insurance is an optional add-on to standard liability insurance, which covers your vehicle in the case of an accident. FAQs Shop Around for Comprehensive Car Insurance To Protect Yourself Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise. What Are the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies for 2023? Consider calling a tow truck because driving without the converter can be hazardous. Park carefully: When you are deciding where to park, choose a spot close to a wall and park with your exhaust pipe next to the wall to make it hard to reach. However, suppose your converter is worth $1,500 and your deductible is $1,000. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, however, there are ways to reduce the risk of catalytic converter theft: Invitations for applications for insurance on assurance.com are made through Assurance IQ, LLC, only where licensed and appointed. For example, SUVs, trucks, and hybrids tend to be the best cars for thieves to target because of the catalytic converters value and ease of access. Comprehensive coverage is optional in all states and is part of full coverage car insurance. In some cases, such as with leased or financed vehicles, the lender may require you to purchase comprehensive coverage. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Assurances license information can be foundhere. Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save. Oxidation catalysts add oxygen to pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) to make it carbon dioxide (CO2). Reviewed by Its important to note that different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to covering theft. Yes, catalytic converter theft is covered by car insurance, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'mycarvoice_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mycarvoice_com-banner-1-0'); This way, you can prepare for any eventuality when it comes to dealing with catalytic converter thefts. This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. Plan for your familys future. Questions about this page? This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The additional and inexpensive cost of comprehensive coverage can save car owners discomfort and stress. 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. WebDoes this include catalytic converter theft? Still have questions? This code holds a lot of information, including who your. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. They are easy to steal: The catalytic converter is easy to access on most cars, which makes them an easy target for thieves. Larger converters, such as those found in trucks or vans, may cost more. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. Some drivers have reported paying fines of thousands of dollars for driving without a catalytic converter. Rhodium . help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. As long as your insurance is up to par, then you dont have to worry about the cost of repairs. The large hole of a missing catalytic converter will contribute to both the noise and the smell. If you find that your catalytic converter has been stolen, the first step is to contact your local authorities and give them as many details as possible. In 2020, insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter ranged from $500 to $3,000. If you are driving with your windows down and start to experience these symptoms, your catalytic converter may be missing. Hybrid cars can also be a favorite for thieves because their catalytic converters see much less use than standard cars, resulting in metal that's easier to salvage. Contact your states insurance commissioner Most states will have a special unit to deal with issues such as unfairly denied insurance claims, or a mediation program that will help policyholders negotiate a disputed claim with their insurance provider. If your purse, golf clubs, or other items are stolen from the car, your insurance company will likely cover them. In addition, filing multiple claims could lead to an increase in your premiums later on. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter costs much more than what thieves get from scrap yards. Comprehensive coverage includes catalytic converter theft, which many car insurance companies offer. And for good reason, converters are extremely expensive to replace. Does your insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Policygenius Inc. (DBA Policygenius Insurance Services in California) (Policygenius), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in New York, New York, is a licensed independent insurance broker. The first and foremost is to install a security system in your car. Learn More. This means that if you do not have comprehensive coverage, you must pay out of pocket for the entire cost of replacement. Thats a staggering increase of 3900% in converter thefts! Catalytic converters mounted under vehicles are usually easy to access and remove using power or even hand tools. Insurance payouts are stacking up, but many other theft victims don't have coverage. Itll depend on your insurance policy but if the theftiscovered by your insurance,youll need to consider the excess thats payable. Truth is, having your catalytic converter stolen is one of the most frustrating experiences a car owner can go through. Prices vary based on how you buy.

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