Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our, Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert. Christopher is an internet technology expert and mechanical engineer. In 2018, there were 1,300 reported thefts; in 2021, there were more than 52,000. Prices vary based on how you buy. Instead, you should be able to make a claim and continue to pay the same rates for car insurance. Install a cage around your catalytic converter. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Larger converters, such as those found in trucks or vans, may cost more. Our goal is to give you back your freedom and peace of mind to drive and park your vehicle anywhere you want. According to theNational Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the average number of monthly thefts in 2018 was 108, which more than doubled to 282 in 2019. Many vehicles come from the factory with security systems inside, but older models may not have this feature. All Rights Reserved. Required fields are marked *. 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. A typical catalytic converter repair job costs $1,100 to $2,600, including parts and labor. To compare quotes from many different car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. As such, more and more precious metals have been incorporated into the creation of catalytic converters, leaving thieves more inclined to steal them. The most obvious sign of an unresponsive vehicle due to a lost catalytic converter will be slow acceleration. They will check local security cameras and work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Thieves use a saw or wrench to remove your catalytic converter. Rhodium . By 2020, however, catalytic converter thefts hit a new record at 1,203 per month. Be aware that its illegal to drive without a catalytic converter,so if youre a victim of this crime, you wont be able to drive your car until its repaired. Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Installing one that includes lights and indicators can deter thieves who will not find setting off the cars alarms worth the hassle. Thieves will target any vehicle, including buses! As catalytic convert theft rates skyrocket, its more important than ever to protect your vehicle against catalytic converter theft. Using powertools,the thieves can get away with your catalytic converter in just a couple of minutes. If you discover your catalytic converter has been stolen, take your car to a mechanic immediately. The additional and inexpensive cost of comprehensive coverage can save car owners discomfort and stress. Explore our data-based deep dives to understand the latest trends on and off the road. Looking for the best possible coverage for catalytic converter theft can be difficult, but we can make it easier. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter costs much more than what thieves get from scrap yards. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. If youre a recent victim of catalytic converter theft, then you might be wondering what your recourse should be. The number of catalytic converter thefts in the United States. The short answer to the question of 'is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance' is typically yes, provided you have full coverage or, Depending on the situation and your insurer, you may be asked to get an. SmartFinancial Offers Unbiased, Fact-based Information. 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. They will work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Way, People Also Ask does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft. Yes, we have to include some legalese down here. Shop Around for Comprehensive Car Insurance To Protect Yourself. A vehicle identification number is a number or code assigned to every automobile during manufacturing. Oxidation catalysts add oxygen to pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) to make it carbon dioxide (CO2). Thankfully, if you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, youre in luck. Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Christa Ehrler is a wordsmith, copywriter, and traveler with over seven years of digital publishing experience. view my claim. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. Catalytic converters include valuable metals that attract thieves who wish to grind down the metals and sell them for as much as $30,000 per ounce, Comprehensive coverage includes cases of theft, vandalism, and weather-related incidents that are outside of driver control, Each car insurance company has different costs for comprehensive coverage, but the average is approximately $100 to $300 annually, or $8 to $25 a month. 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. You may also notice a foul odor from the unclean exhaust now exiting the vehicle. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you seek to protect your vehicle from potential theft, vandalism, or damage to your catalytic converter, use your ZIP code in our free car insurance comparison tool to browse the comprehensive coverage available on the market. Does renters insurance cover theft from cars? A catalytic converter is a key automotive component that reduces harmful emissions. Steps for filing a claim with your insurance company to replace your stolen catalytic converter WebFarmers Identity Shield. There are steps you can take to protect your vehicle from 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. These large repair bills can be impossible for some motorists to meet. Cars with a high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, including vans and 4x4s. A stolen catalytic converter sold to a scrap yard can sell for $25 to $500, according to a 2021 report by the Congressional Research Service.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'mycarvoice_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_12',608,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mycarvoice_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Yes, you should contact your local police department immediately. Palladium is skyrocketing in price and can cost from $2K to $5K an ounce, while rhodium is around $22K an ounce making these two precious metals more valuable than gold, price-wise. If you dont have comprehensive insurance, youll need to pay for the repair out-of-pocket. In the several decades since the introduction of catalytic converters, their engineering and manufacturing have improved consistently. Catalytic Converter Theft - Full Coverage Car Insurance. Catalytic converters typically turn vehicle exhaust white or pale gray. This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. What does an insurance company do when your car is stolen? If your catalytic converter is stolen or stops working your car will still drive, but youll need to make getting a new one a priority to avoid breaking the law. In some cases, your insurance may cover this cost if you have the right coverage type. Theyre found underneath the car with the exhaust system and are designed to help reduce harmful emissions from the car engine. Get a catalytic converter lock: There are several types of cage-like locks that fit around your catalytic converter, making it more difficult and time consuming for a thief to try to steal it.. Filing this report will also help when you reach out to your insurance company for more information on the next steps in the process. Wait for the technician to repair your vehicle, allow your insurance to pay for repairs (minus your deductible), and continue driving as normal. Thievesusually work by jackingup the car to access the catalytic converter,enabling them to cut it out-and it doesnt take longto do. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Gather evidence This can include police reports, any eyewitness information, photographs or other supporting evidence. help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate If you want confirmation that your insurance will cover your car in the event of catalytic converter theft, call them and ask directly. When to use auto vs. health insurance for car accident injuries. Your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the stolen converter and any Our opinions are our own. People steal catalytic converters because they contain valuable metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium. New catalytic converters can be extremely costly for the same reason. We do our best to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate. Get a Life Insurance quote today. Still have questions? Browse our catalogue of industry-leading Cat Shields here. How Does a Catalytic Converter Get Stolen? You can confirm the catalytic converter theft by looking underneath the car for an obvious hole in the undercarriage near the muffler. "comp" coverage generally reimburses you when your car is damaged from theft, vandalism, fire or hitting an animal. According to the NICB, a new catalytic converter can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. Insurers and law enforcement have been able to identify a few patterns. 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. There are some available for as little as $300-$400, but those often dont work at all and, when they do, they wear out very quickly. Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure that content is correct at the time of publication. And if the claimisfor more than your cars worth then the insurance company will write it off. Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. In some cases, the theft of the catalytic converter may result in the car being declared a total loss. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. Now that you know what a catalytic converter is, what it does, and how to tell if yours has been stolen, you can evaluate your risks and decide if comprehensive coverage is right for you. What Is a Catalytic While you may not know a lot of the information, such as who stole your catalytic converter or when it happened, this report will help narrow down who the thieves are and stop them from stealing other converters in the area. While your car can run just fine without a catalytic converter, you would still need to replace it since it filters the exhaust. 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. 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. How Much Is Car Insurance for 24-Year-Olds? Some of the best tips for preventing catalytic converter theft include: Insurance covers catalytic converter theft if you have comprehensive coverage. Depending on how the catalytic converter was removed from your car, there may be other damages that were caused by the theft that need to be included in your quote. 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. The car wont drive smoothly, it will accelerate loudly, and it will generally sputter and jolt as you speed up while driving.. In that case, it may not be worth filing a claim because your insurer would only cover the remaining $500 after you meet your deductible. Adjust your car alarm settings to react to vibrations. 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. Catalytic converters are essential and have the. Is a stolen catalytic converter covered by insurance. Catalytic converter theft falls under theft and/or vandalism, and comprehensive coverage should cover it. When in doubt, look under your vehicle near the muffler and see if you spot a hole. You may be asked to provide the case number of the report so the agent can follow up. Contact your insurer to ask about catalytic converter coverage or to make a claim for catalytic converter theft. It's been a mandatory part of all gas-powered cars since the 1975 model year, and it's located between the engine and the muffler on the underside of the vehicle. Catalytic converter theft may leave some owners panicked for answers with their insurance companies, but drivers can rest assured that there are many options. If your purse, golf clubs, or other items are stolen from the car, your insurance company will likely cover them. Popular vehicles include the Toyota Prius, the Chrysler 200, the Honda CR-V, the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ford Econoline series of vans. Especially with the surge in catalytic converter thefts. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. park your car alongside a wall or with the bonnet facing a wall to make access more difficult, - although unlikely to prevent theft,they make it harder giving more time for the thieves to be interrupted, mark the converter with a unique ID allowing it to be traced back to you and making it harder for thieves to sell on, Read about smart doorbells and how you can, at home, keep your car in the garage, or a well-lit area, preferably with CCTV, dont park your car up akerb,this makes access to the underneath easier, stay alert - if someone is working underneath a car, ask yourself if theyre genuine. Whats the difference between ATV vs. a dirtbike? Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. The Bottom Line: Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? What is a Life Insurance Annuity And How Does it Work? The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018, tomore than 52,000 in 2021. Your car makes a sputtering sound when you change speeds, Your car doesnt feel like its driving smoothly, There is an increase in exhaust smells or visible exhaust emissions from your vehicle, Theres a load roar when you start your vehicle, and that roar gets louder as you accelerate, Your vehicle displays a check engine light or other warnings. Get easy explanations for all your questions. Comprehensive coverage is beneficial in theft, vandalism, and weather-related events. Additionally, your check engine light coming on is one of the most obvious signs your catalytic converter is missing. 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. 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