Questions about this page? Catalytic converters mounted under vehicles are usually easy to access and remove using power or even hand tools. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. 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. What Is a Catalytic Because hybrids are partly powered by electricity, the converters found on hybrid cars are usually in better condition than on non-hybrid cars. This includes replacement of a stolen catalytic converter. This Insurers and law enforcement have been able to identify a few patterns. Your car insurance policy may cover catalytic converter theft if you purchased comprehensive coverage for your car. Oxidation catalysts add oxygen to pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) to make it carbon dioxide (CO2). Is Catalytic Converter Theft Covered by Insurance? Rod Knock: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions. Way, People Also Ask does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft. Cars that are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen are ones with fewer precious metals and therefore scrapyard value. Any car with a catalytic converter can be targeted, but some cars are more common targets than others. Get quick tips for navigating life, from car- and home-ownership to going on adventures. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. 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. If you have multiple vehicles, park the ones with lower ground clearance outside of the vehicles with higher ground clearance (like SUVs). This makes it difficult for a thief to access your catalytic converter. Tips For Troubleshooting. Why are catalytic converters stolen? Comprehensive coverage will typically pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal. 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. Torque is the rotational force often associated with tasks like towing, hauling, or climbing. , it is imperative to decrease the risk of future thefts as much as possible. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and to a shocking degree. The final insurance policy premium for any policy is determined by the underwriting insurance company following application. Covered incidents include vandalism, damage from falling trees or objects, weather damage, and theft. In 2020, insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter ranged from $500 to $3,000. We do our best to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate. While your car will not break down without a converter, you may face fines for driving without one installed. Depending on the car and the condition of the catalytic converter, thieves can get quite a big payout for a relatively easy theft. Descriptions of all coverages and other features are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Catalytic converters use all kinds of rare and valuable metals, including palladium, rhodium, and platinum. Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure that content is correct at the time of publication. Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. The metals used in catalytic converters are quite valuable, and they can be easier to steal due to their exposed location on the underside of a vehicle. Finally, it would be best to have your car serviced by a professional. 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. Your car insurance may cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter. view my claim. Which cars are most likely to have the catalytic converter stolen? If you discover that your catalytic converter has been stolen, there are several steps to take to make sure it gets replaced properly, including: Contact the police: Youll need to file an official report so you have the necessary paperwork to file a claim against your comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive car insurance covers theft-related problems, including stolen cars and stolen car parts (like a catalytic converter). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance? 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. If a hole and evidence of tampering are present, your catalytic converter is likely missing. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. Insurance payouts are stacking up, but many other theft victims don't have coverage. With identity theft becoming more common and costly, having Farmers Identity Shield may give you some peace of mind for only pennies a day. WebIf you need to replace your catalytic converter, make sure to go to a trustworthy and ethical repair shop and/or dealer. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. Shop Around for Comprehensive Car Insurance To Protect Yourself. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. Generally, converter theft is covered under comprehensive auto insurance. Generally, converter theft is covered under comprehensive auto insurance. But there may still be hope that you can get a new one without any cost to you. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our, Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert. In 2018, there were 1,300 reported thefts; in 2021, there were more than 52,000. Find answers to your insurance questions, insights into current trends, and tools for navigating life in our resource center. Emissions enter the catalytic converter and pass through a metal-coated ceramic honeycomb inside. Itll depend on your insurance policy but if the theft is covered by your insurance, youll need to consider Park close to a wall with the exhaust pipe closest to the wall. And for good reason, converters are extremely expensive to replace. Get a Life Insurance quote today. In these events, comprehensive coverage will pay to replace the converter, as well as any associated damaged caused by the hasty removal of the converter. If your converter is stolen, your insurance may cover the theft, depending on the circumstances and the type of policy youve purchased. Yes, Catalytic converter theft is usually covered by comprehensive auto insurance if the insurance package you have is an all-inclusive comprehensive plan. Depending on the replacement cost, you can determine if using your comprehensive insurance makes sense or if you want to pay out of pocket. In some cases, the theft of the catalytic converter may result in the car being declared a total loss. They will check local security cameras and work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Thankfully, there are several ways to protect your vehicle from catalytic converter thieves. Especially with the surge in catalytic converter thefts. Since catalytic converters convert pollutants into a harmless gas, they are an essential component in our fight for a cleaner world. Additionally, catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal for experienced thieves and it is impossible to track them if they are stolen. Not all products, coverages, & discounts are available in every state. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The United States has required catalytic converters on all gas-powered vehicles since 1975. 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. Steps for filing a claim with your insurance company to replace your stolen catalytic converter Thefts rose even more during the 2020 lockdown due to the increasing value of the metals that are found in catalytic converters. This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. [1] A combination of the valuable metals used inside catalytic converters and supply chain issues that make catalytic converters harder to get have spurred an increase in catalytic converter theft across the country. Consider installing a catalytic converter protection device. Unfortunately, it is an essential component of your vehicle and would need to be replaced fairly quickly after a theft. 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. Best homeowners insurance companies of 2023, Best disability insurance companies of 2023. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts have increased by 1,215% since 2019. What does an insurance company do when your car is stolen? How much is a catalytic converter worth in the UK? Should You Be Concerned? 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. 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. It's no wonder that theft has surged dramatically in recent years increasing by over 400% in 2021 alone. Since catalytic converters are the last line of defense against dangerous exhaust emissions, you would have to replace one very quickly if it has been stolen. Additionally, your check engine light coming on is one of the most obvious signs your catalytic converter is missing. Is long-term disability insurance worth it. An annual cost of $100 to $300 ($8 to $25 a month) can Web3. "comp" coverage generally reimburses you when your car is damaged from theft, vandalism, fire or hitting an animal. An engine of a missing catalytic converter will sound much louder than a usual motor. The catalytic converter is responsible for handling the emissions of a car. The, Cars with a high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, including vans and 4x4s. Explore our data-based deep dives to understand the latest trends on and off the road. And if you dont have comprehensive auto insurance, now might be a good time to consider adding it to your policy. This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement. Does homeowners insurance cover a leaking roof? Which Cars Are Most Targeted for Catalytic Converter Theft? Will My Insurance Premiums Rise After a Catalytic Converter Insurance Claims? Install a cage around your catalytic converter. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Catalytic converter theft is covered under your comprehensive coverage. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Catalytic converter theft is covered under your comprehensive coverage. Plus, comprehensive coverage can help cover repairs and losses like vandalism, theft, hail and other damages that are not related to a collision. All rights reserved. However, while comprehensive policies are generally similar, they are not required to offer a standard set of coverages. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 1-855-695-2255 for assistance. Tell your insurance agent as soon as possible that your catalytic converter has been stolen and that youve filed a police report. Complete car repairs. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These components have always had value, but rising rates in recent years have made them particularly valuable. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Between key fobs and security alarms, car protection can seem like a lot to handle for many drivers. 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. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 1,298 Americans told their insurance company that their cars catalytic converter had been stolen in 2018. Use our free car insurance quote tool above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. 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Does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft is covered under comprehensive auto insurance Expert likely missing the website, call!