It only takes a few minutes for a thief to steal a catalytic converter. Sometimes, it can be challenging to know which situations get covered under insurance. Itll depend on your insurance policy but if the theftiscovered by your insurance,youll need to consider the excess thats payable. How can I tell if my catalytic converter has been stolen? Car insurer Admiral said the. In some cases,and especially on older cars, the repair will cost more than the car is worth. SmartFinancial Insurance is a digital insurance How Much Does Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information (CA Residents Only). 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Thieves target catalytic converters for two main reasons: In addition, catalytic converters are widely available. When evaluating rates, please verify directly with your insurance company or agent. Even vehicles shipped from overseas must have a compliant catalytic converter; if it lacks one, a new one is usually installed before sale. Your insurance company should cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. Making a claim for your catalytic converter theft could also cause you to lose a claim-free discount. The catalytic converter is responsible for handling the emissions of a car. 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. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. Of course, your definitive source of answers should be from your direct insurance provider. Thieves often target them because they contain valuable heavy metals. The cost of comprehensive coverage varies depending on the company used and the state of residence. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise. Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. Comprehensive coverage will cover the costs of replacing a stolen catalytic converter and any damages related to the theft. For instance, carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, enters the converter, mixes with oxygen, and exits as carbon dioxide. Does renters insurance cover theft from cars? If youre unsure, then call 999. Written by Learn More. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. Additionally, catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal for experienced thieves and it is impossible to track them if they are stolen. For example, hybrid cars are very popular since their catalytic converters last a bit longer. Other designs resemble a cage or armor plating. view my claim. You may also notice a foul odor from the unclean exhaust now exiting the vehicle. Chat now to ask Flo anything or explore commonly asked questions. Because hybrids are partly powered by electricity, the converters found on hybrid cars are usually in better condition than on non-hybrid cars. Between key fobs and security alarms, car protection can seem like a lot to handle for many drivers. She is a storyteller who believes in the power of words. This is because metals degrade as they filter pollutants from exhaust, and hybrids have lower emissions than gas-powered cars. Read on to learn more about the most frequently stolen cars here. Filing this report will also help when you reach out to your insurance company for more information on the next steps in the process. Thus, the initial tell of a stolen catalytic converter is a very loud startup and running sound. 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. Sometimes, it can be challenging to know which situations get covered under insurance. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company. Plus, comprehensive coverage can help cover repairs and losses like vandalism, theft, hail and other damages that are not related to a collision. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. 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. If your catalytic converter gets stolen, you must replace it. Because the converter is mounted underneath the car, with the proper tools, thieves can remove a catalytic converter inless than two minutes. James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. This type of insurance is an optional add-on to standard liability insurance, which covers your vehicle in the case of an accident. The additional and inexpensive cost of comprehensive coverage can save car owners discomfort and stress. Licensed Agent for 15 Years. If you discover your catalytic converter is missing, take your car to a repair shop and have it replaced as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are several ways to protect your vehicle from catalytic converter thieves. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Stolen Catalytic Converter? Can I Drive Without a Catalytic Converter? Yes. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen. Nerves aside, we are here to help. Your car insurance may cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter. All rights reserved. The catalyst metal then converts potentially hazardous gases into safer alternatives. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Some examples include electric cars, cars made before 1974, diesel catalytic converters, Subaru, Ford, Hyundai, Dodge, Mazda, Nissan sedans and minivans. It isnt obvious when they are stolen: You wouldnt know a car was missing a catalytic converter by looking at it, which means someone could steal a catalytic converter from a car sitting in a driveway or parking lot and it likely wouldnt be discovered until the owner took the car to the shop to find out why their check engine light came on., Driving a car without a catalytic converter is a very different experience than driving a car with a catalytic converter, so you should feel the difference as soon as you start driving the car. Using powertools,the thieves can get away with your catalytic converter in just a couple of minutes. Email us ateditorial@policygenius.com. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about catalytic converter theft and how insurance covers it. However, you should keep in mind that Collision Coverage does not cover you in the even of an auto accident involving an animal. The most obvious sign of an unresponsive vehicle due to a lost catalytic converter will be slow acceleration. 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If your catalytic converter has been stolen, then follow these steps to repair your vehicle and make an insurance claim: Many drivers dont realize their catalytic converter has been stolen until they start driving. His shop installs one by bolting a metal shield to the vehicle frame to cover the catalytic converter, which costs about $350, including installation. The Growing Problem of Catalytic Converter Theft, How to Check if Your Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen, How to File a Claim for Catalytic Converter Theft, How to Protect Your Cars Catalytic Converter From Theft, from 652 in January 2020 to 2,347 by December of the same year, The Importance of Meeting Insurance Requirements for Financed Cars, The Most Dangerous Times to Drive in Every U.S. State, Be Your Own Pit Crew: Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your Car Running, Do Not Sell nor Share My Personal Information. Catalytic converters are fitted on petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. CarInsuranceCompanies.com was created to provide an online resource for drivers to learn car insurance, find car insurance companies, read reviews of car insurance providers and get fast online auto insurance quotes without being subject to the pressure of stereotypical insurance agent. Gases pass through an input pipe into the converter itself, which looks like a metal box. Your comprehensive deductible will apply to the claim, so if you have a $1,000 deductible and it costs $1,500 to replace the catalytic converter, the insurance company will write you a check for $500 and you will be expected to pay the rest out of pocket. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1 criminals racked up $6.4 billion in motor vehicle thefts in 2019, with the average cost per theft at $8,886. Is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance? The United States has required catalytic converters on all gas-powered vehicles since 1975. May car owners would agree that vehicle protections take much thought. Lets get into this! With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. What to Know When Buying a Moped or Scooter. A vehicle identification number is a number or code assigned to every automobile during manufacturing. This is especially indicative if your other instruments note that your engine temperature and oil pressure are normal. with Insurance Panda. 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. 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. Get a personalized Home Insurance quote now. Provide as much detail as possible, referencing your insurance policy where appropriate. How does long-term disability insurance work? A typical catalytic converter repair job costs $1,100 to $2,600, including parts and labor. Installing one that includes lights and indicators can deter thieves who will not find setting off the cars alarms worth the hassle. What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? Depending on the car and the condition of the catalytic converter, thieves can get quite a big payout for a relatively easy theft. The large hole of a missing catalytic converter will contribute to both the noise and the smell. Find answers to your insurance questions, insights into current trends, and tools for navigating life in our resource center. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. Popular vehicles include the Toyota Prius, the Chrysler 200, the Honda CR-V, the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ford Econoline series of vans. Currently, he is using his business and insurance expertise to provide insurance data analysis and visualizations to enhance the user experience. With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers your car against any damage or loss not due to a collision. The actual costs depend on how much your insurance will cover, your mechanic, and your vehicle type. Why are catalytic converters stolen? Catalytic converter thefts have been growing steadily over the past few years. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise as thieves look for quick money by trading valuable metals in converters for cash. WebDoes this include catalytic converter theft? Contact local authorities and your insurance company. Be sure to send photocopies with your resubmitted claim and not the originals. 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. In addition, filing multiple claims could lead to an increase in your premiums later on. Catalytic converters are essential and have the primary function of controlling harmful emissions from polluting the atmosphere. See car insurance quotes from our partners. Car insurance companies have put in provisions across the board to handle the rising threat of catalytic converter thieves and offer advice on spotting tampering or theft. People steal catalytic converters because they contain valuable metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium. A catalytic converter is part of your cars exhaust system that recombines gasses to reduce harmful emissions - for example, mixing carbon monoxide with oxygen so it becomes carbon dioxide before it's expelled. Preventive measures include: Looking for more information about auto insurance? These components have always had value, but rising rates in recent years have made them particularly valuable. Reduction catalysts break up nitrogen oxide (NO) into nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) gases, which are harmless on their own. What cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft? 2 Minute Read Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Vehicles? Generally speaking, if you have comprehensive auto insurance, you will be covered 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. You may hear sputtering noises, smell exhaust and notice spotty acceleration that may indicate that something is wrong.
Truth is, having your catalytic converter stolen is one of the most frustrating experiences a car owner can go through. Finally, it would be best to have your car serviced by a professional. Catalytic converters convert exhaust into less harmful gases and any vehicle made after 1974 must have one installed. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. Still have questions? Please note that information published on this website does not constitute financial advice, and we arent responsible for the content of any external sites. Will a Citation Impact My Insurance and Driving Records. Chris Harrigan has an economic degree from Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. 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. This includes replacement of a stolen catalytic converter. Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. Contact your insurance company ASAP. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, you should be able to make a claim for catalytic converter theft.
It does not store any personal data. Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? However, your insurer may raise rates if you have had multiple comprehensive coverage claims in recent months. With identity theft becoming more common and costly, having Farmers Identity Shield may give you some peace of mind for only pennies a day. But there may still be hope that you can get a new one without any cost to you. Reviewed by You may also smell the emissions coming from your vehicle when the catalytic converter is missing. Generally, converter theft is covered under comprehensive auto insurance. You may also want to look for abrasions and other evidence of tampering. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Call your insurance agent. They will work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Do Car Dealerships Offer Temporary Insurance? 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does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft