Auto Insurance And Stolen Catalytic Converters: What's Covered?

If your catalytic converter is stolen, you may be wondering if your auto insurance will cover it. The short answer is yes, provided you have full coverage or comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage will pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal. However, for those without full coverage or comprehensive coverage, theft will not be covered by insurance. It is important to confirm with your insurance provider if they cover catalytic converter theft, as despite its name, comprehensive insurance does not cover everything. Additionally, you will need to find out your deductible amount, as you will need to pay this portion before your vehicle insurance coverage kicks in.

Comprehensive coverage

The catalytic converter is part of a car's emissions system and reduces harmful emissions. It is located between the engine and the muffler on the underside of the vehicle. It is made of valuable metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, which makes it a target for thieves.

If your catalytic converter is stolen, you should first contact the police and file an official report. Then, get a quote for repairs from a mechanic, as there may be additional damage caused by the theft. Finally, file a claim with your insurance company. They will inspect the vehicle and assess the damages before offering a settlement.

Full coverage

If you have full coverage or comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Comprehensive coverage will pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal.

The 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.

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. 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. This combination makes catalytic converters a popular target for thieves.

Any gas-powered or hybrid 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. The technology wasn't as refined for older cars, so their catalytic converters can have more metals than newer ones. Newer cars, however, can have metals in better condition because the converters haven't been subjected to as much wear and tear.

If your catalytic converter has been stolen, take your car to a mechanic immediately. Consider calling a tow truck because driving without the converter can be hazardous. You should also contact the police to file an official report so you have the necessary paperwork to file a claim against your comprehensive insurance.

Claim process

If your catalytic converter has been stolen, the first step is to get confirmation from a mechanic. Driving a short distance without a catalytic converter is usually okay, but to avoid long-term damage to your vehicle, the catalytic converter will need to be replaced.

Once you have confirmed that your catalytic converter has been stolen, the next step is to call your local police station and report the theft. This will be useful for your insurance claim, and it also helps the police to gather information about catalytic converter theft in the area.

Now, it's time to contact your insurance provider and start the process of making an insurance claim. You can do this by calling your insurance company and letting them know that you wish to begin the claim process. Your insurer may send you some forms to fill out, or they may request some information from you, such as your insurance policy number, date of birth, address, or other identifying information.

Depending on the situation and your insurer, you may be asked to get an estimated cost of repair from a mechanic. The estimate will need to be approved by your insurer before repair work can begin.

Once your claim has been approved and the repair work has been completed, the insurer will settle your claim. This will either be done by reimbursing you for the cost of the repair, or your insurer may pay the repair shop directly. The time this takes varies between different insurers and can be anywhere from a couple of hours to a few months.

Preventing theft

Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter theft is a rising problem, with thieves targeting the valuable metals within the converters. Luckily, there are several ways to protect your vehicle from theft. Here are some tips to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen:

• Know if you're a target: Trucks, SUVs, and vehicles with high ground clearance are common targets due to easy access to the converter. Older cars are also attractive to thieves as their converters contain larger amounts of valuable metals.
• Install an anti-theft device: Invest in a cable locking device or a steel shield that fits over the catalytic converter. Cages made of high-strength steel and stainless steel cables welded to the car's frame are also effective deterrents.
• Paint your catalytic converter: Use high-temperature fluorescent orange paint and inscribe your vehicle identification number. This makes it traceable, and scrap metal dealers may be less likely to accept it.
• Set up an alarm or camera: Adjust your car alarm sensitivity so that it goes off when someone tampers with your car. Install motion-sensitive lights or a motion-sensitive dash cam to catch thieves in the act or record their license plate.
• Park in well-lit and busy areas: Thieves prefer to work in the dark and in secluded areas. Parking in a well-lit and busy area may deter them from targeting your vehicle.
• Park in a garage: If possible, park your car in a locked garage to reduce the risk of theft.
• Get to know your neighbors: Join neighborhood networks such as NextDoor to stay informed about any suspicious activity or reports of theft in your area.
• Check your car insurance: Ensure you have comprehensive insurance coverage, which typically covers stolen auto parts.
• Lower your insurance deductible: If you own a vehicle at high risk of catalytic converter theft, consider lowering your deductible amount to minimize potential costs.
• Etch your vehicle's VIN onto the converter: This makes it easier to track stolen converters and deter thieves.
• Use a catalytic converter protection system: Install a physical shield made of high-quality, durable metal around the converter to make it more difficult for thieves to access.
• Install an alarm system: Use electronic devices with sensors that monitor vibrations, heat, or the presence of a person under your car. When triggered, these alarms produce a loud noise to scare off potential thieves.

Signs of theft

Signs of catalytic converter theft

• Loud noise: A vehicle with a stolen catalytic converter will be much louder than usual, sounding more like an airplane than a car.
• Engine warning light: An engine warning light on your dashboard may appear due to oxygen sensors in your exhaust being triggered.
• High-value target vehicle: Pickups, SUVs, hybrids, and older cars are common targets for catalytic converter theft. This is because they are generally easier to access and contain larger amounts of valuable metals.
• Noxious exhaust fumes: Without a catalytic converter, your vehicle will emit noxious exhaust fumes, including carbon monoxide. You may smell these fumes inside the cabin of your car, which can be dangerous and even deadly.
• Bluish, smoky exhaust: The exhaust from a vehicle without a catalytic converter will be thicker, dirtier, and likely to have a gray-blue tint.
• Visible damage or missing parts: If you look underneath your vehicle, you may see an empty space and exposed sections of the exhaust line where the catalytic converter has been cut out.
• Poor engine performance: Your vehicle may feel sluggish or sputter when you try to drive it, as the absence of a catalytic converter affects the engine's ability to calculate the proper fuel injection rate.

Frequently asked questions