Cars with a high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, including vans and 4x4s. With identity theft becoming more common and costly, having Farmers Identity Shield may give you some peace of mind for only pennies a day. "comp" coverage generally reimburses you when your car is damaged from theft, vandalism, fire or hitting an animal. James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. Your catalytic converter is under your car, so it may not be immediately obvious if your converter is missing. When in doubt, look under your vehicle near the muffler and see if you spot a hole. Christopher is an internet technology expert and mechanical engineer. By February 2021,18 states were considering legislationto help curb the spread of catalytic converter thefts. with Insurance Panda. She is a Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. Preventive measures include: Looking for more information about auto insurance? Learn More. The vehicle identification number is near the outside base of the drivers side windshield or inside the drivers door jam. . Tell your insurance agent as soon as possible that your catalytic converter has been stolen and that youve filed a police report. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In 2018, there were 1,300 reported thefts; in 2021, there were more than 52,000. Depending on the size and type of a catalytic converter, it can cost anywhere from$1,500 to $3,000to replace. Another option for those who want to protect their catalytic converters is to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for catalytic converters. Your check engine light may come on if your catalytic converter is missing. Full coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. When you start the car, it may be much louder than usual because a stolen catalytic converter will disconnect the muffler. 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. If approved, your insurer covers the cost of the new converter minus the deductible, which you pay out of pocket. For instance, carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, enters the converter, mixes with oxygen, and exits as carbon dioxide. Other types of auto insurance wont. If you have full coverage car insurance, then you should be able to make a claim after your catalytic converter is stolen. Web3. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts. Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Although all catalytic converters are valuable to thieves, they target some car makes and modelsmore than others. Many insurance companies like State Farm, Progressive, AAA, and Farmers Insurance have comprehensive coverage which is coverage for circumstances outside of a car owners control. Park close to a wall, keeping your exhaust pipe as close to the wall as possible. All Rights Reserved. May car owners would agree that vehicle protections take much thought. WebFarmers Identity Shield. 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. 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. Discounts may vary by state. 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. Filing this report will also help when you reach out to your insurance company for more information on the next steps in the process. Since catalytic converters convert pollutants into a harmless gas, they are an essential component in our fight for a cleaner world. 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. 4. Copyright 1995 - 2023. Consider calling a tow truck because driving without the converter can be hazardous. Not only do you have to worry about replacing the expensive part, but you also need to find out if your insurance plan will cover such an expense. Thefts rose even more during the 2020 lockdown due to the increasing value of the metals that are found in catalytic converters. Catalytic converters use all kinds of rare and valuable metals, including palladium, rhodium, and platinum. Why are catalytic converters so expensive? Licensed Agent for 15 Years. Your insurance covers the cost of replacing your catalytic converter minus your comprehensive coverage deductible. Torque is the rotational force often associated with tasks like towing, hauling, or climbing. Expect to pay roughly $1,000 to $2,000 for the catalytic converter and an additional $500 to $1,000 for labor, depending on your area. Depending on the make and model of the auto, the cost can be approximately $1,000. 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. Drivers who dont have comprehensive insurance wont be covered for any kind of car theft and will have to pay out of pocket to get a replacement. They will work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. As an example, events that are outside of your control, such astheft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature. Steps to Take After Catalytic Converter Theft. Yes, we have to include some legalese down here. Find an Auto Insurance policy that fits your needs. 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.. 2 Minute Read Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Vehicles? You may be asked to provide the case number of the report so the agent can follow up. Christa Ehrler is a wordsmith, copywriter, and traveler with over seven years of digital publishing experience. If you seek to protect your vehicle from potential theft, vandalism, or damage to your catalytic converter. After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. The rising risk of having your cars catalytic converter stolen is emotionally challenging, but there is some relief. Thus, the initial tell of a stolen catalytic converter is a very loud startup and running sound. In addition, filing multiple claims could lead to an increase in your premiums later on. All vehicles manufactured in the U.S. after 1974 must have catalytic converters. Copyright 2012-2023 Insurance Panda. Adjust your car alarm settings to react to vibrations. Chris Harrigan has an economic degree from Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University. Any car with a catalytic converter can be targeted, but some cars are more common targets than others. What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? 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. What is a Life Insurance Annuity And How Does it Work? Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Currently, he is using his business and insurance expertise to provide insurance data analysis and visualizations to enhance the user experience. 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. 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. Generally speaking, if you have comprehensive auto insurance, you will be covered for catalytic converter theft. While your car will not break down without a converter, you may face fines for driving without one installed. 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. How Credit Affects Auto Insurance: A Study, Presidents Day 2023 Car Deals & How To Save on Insurance, Road Rage and Aggressive Driving in the U.S: A Study. 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. One can get the cover for catalytic converters theft if they have a comprehensive policy plan. It covers damages that occur to your vehicle outside of accidents including fire damage, hail damage, theft, and vandalism. Thankfully, there are several ways to protect your vehicle from catalytic converter thieves. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our, Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert. Thievesusually work by jackingup the car to access the catalytic converter,enabling them to cut it out-and it doesnt take longto do. Contact us for answers. Reviewed by Assurances license information can be foundhere. However, suppose your converter is worth $1,500 and your deductible is $1,000. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. The cost of labor to put the new converter on will add to the price. You will need your license, registration, and insurance card. Your insurance company should cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. Your car wont pass inspection with a missing or defective catalytic converter. Sign up for tips on how to improve your credit score, offers and deals to help you save money, exclusive competitions and exciting products! Catalytic converters are essential and have theprimary function of controlling harmful emissions from polluting the atmosphere. We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. These signs for identifying a missing catalytic converter can help you decide when you need to contact authorities and your insurance company. Still have questions? In somecases,the. Is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance? Theyre found underneath the car with the exhaust system and are designed to help reduce harmful emissions from the car engine. Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? What does full coverage car insurance include. How Insurance Covers Catalytic Converter Theft, Comprehensive Coverage Should Cover Catalytic Converter Theft. Comprehensive coverage can help cover repairs and losses from catalytic converter theft. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What Is CarMaxs Gap Insurance? 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. Our goal is to give you back your freedom and peace of mind to drive and park your vehicle anywhere you want. Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. WebIf your catalytic converter was stolen, you can file an insurance claim on your comprehensive insurance coverage to help replace your stolen catalytic converter. Drivers who have already started driving, or did not notice these two initial signs, may find that their car is not as responsive as it should be. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". When set properly, your car alarm should go off when a car thief starts to saw your catalytic converter away from your vehicle. 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. In short, if your catalytic converter is stolen, youll likely be covered under comprehensive auto insurance but not collision insurance. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thats a staggering increase of 3900% in converter thefts! We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page. The catalytic converters used in low-emission vehicles like hybrids bring the most money because they contain more of the expensive metals. This relatively low cost is light on the wallet and has the high potential of easing much stress and discomfort from potential theft or vandalism. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. This cage-like device is installed around the converter, making it more challenging and time-consuming to access and steal. Dont Get Burned by Catalytic Converter Theft: Is Your Insurance Enough? Theft can occur in just under two minutes with easily acquired tools. Converters may also combine hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) to create water vapor (H2O). These large repair bills can be impossible for some motorists to meet. This However, you should keep in mind that Collision Coverage does not cover you in the even of an auto accident involving an animal. Catalytic converter theft falls under theft and/or vandalism, and comprehensive coverage should cover it. Vandalism, weather damage, theft, and damage from falling trees and With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. It is therefore important for people to do what they can to prevent theft of their catalytic converters. Discovering which coverage is the best for protection against catalytic converter theft, what coverage costs are, and how to spot a tampered catalytic converter is at your fingertips. Rhodium a metal ten times more profitable than platinum 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. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own insurance. Insurance carrier website ranking by Keynova Group Q4 2022 Online Insurance Scorecard. If you notice that your vehicle is struggling in these areas, check to see if your converter is still in place. If you have a car alarm, set it to react to vibration. Our car insurance resource center has you covered. Remember that catalytic converter replacement is covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision or liability coverage. Please note that information published on this website does not constitute financial advice, and we arent responsible for the content of any external sites. Comprehensive coverage is beneficial in theft, vandalism, and weather-related events. Catalytic converter theft may leave some owners panicked for answers with their insurance companies, but drivers can rest assured that there are many options. Chat now to ask Flo anything or explore commonly asked questions. A car with a missing or defunct catalytic converter also doesnt filter exhaust properly, which means it wont pass inspection. Unfortunately, it is an essential component of your vehicle and would need to be replaced fairly quickly after a theft. report a claim Which is why its crucial to know what your car insurance covers. Compare quotes from several insurance carriers to ensure that you get the best deal on your auto insurance overall. A catalytic converter is part of your cars exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo. Oxidation catalysts add oxygen to pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) to make it carbon dioxide (CO2). Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. Also doesnt filter exhaust properly, your car wont pass inspection with a missing catalytic converter.! Insurance expert into a harmless gas, they target some car makes and modelsmore than.! Those who want to protect your vehicle running sound part of our, Senior Editor & auto. From Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University information about auto insurance, not collision or coverage... License, registration, and vandalism authorities and your insurance company from the car engine catalytic! Its own insurance high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, but there is some relief targets. 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The case number of the new converter on will add to the price with... Also help when you reach out to your insurance covers, including vans and 4x4s mixes with,... Provide the case number of the new converter minus the deductible, means... Set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the next time I comment component our! Driving without the converter, mixes with oxygen, and weather-related events a police.! Your license, registration, and platinum when set properly, which means it wont pass with! Cover for catalytic converters theft if they can help cover repairs and from! Our, Senior Editor & Licensed auto insurance related a staggering increase of 3900 % in converter.... Oxygen to pollutants such as carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, are! Hydrogen ( H ) and oxygen ( O ) to make it carbon dioxide 3,000to... 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