Park close to a wall, keeping your exhaust pipe as close to the wall as possible. Find answers to your insurance questions, insights into current trends, and tools for navigating life in our resource center. So knowing how you can protect your vehicle can be key. 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. If youre able to claim on your insurance, bear in mind that your insurance premiums will probably increase as a result. Larger converters, such as those found in trucks or vans, may cost more. Since the cost of fixing a vehicle after catalytic converter theft without your insurance companys assistance can easily be more than several thousand dollars, it is imperative to decrease the risk of future thefts as much as possible. 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. Much like your muffler, converters help dampen the engine sound. Comprehensive insurance covers your car against loss or damage that was not the result of a collision. 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. As the name suggests, collision insurance only covers damages caused to your vehicle by another vehicle. Sometimes, it can be challenging to know which situations get covered under insurance. He loves nothing more than taking something apart and putting it back together again. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i Our panel of insurance experts has reviewed the content to ensure that our reporting and statistics are accurate, easy to understand and unbiased. If your catalytic converter has been stolen, you can file a comprehensive claim. Preventive measures include: Looking for more information about auto insurance? Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? If you get under your car and see that there are missing pieces, often indicated by open holes, broken pipes, or missing bolts, you are the victim of theft. Additionally, a police report may be essential to your insurance coverage. To file a claim for catalytic converter theft, contact your insurance company. Insurers and law enforcement have been able to identify a few patterns. The first and foremost is to install a security system in your car. Another option for those who want to protect their catalytic converters is to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for catalytic converters. There are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your catalytic converter being stolen: Read about smart doorbells and how you canset up a smart home on a budget. Learn about our editorial standards and how we make money. They will check local security cameras and work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Without the catalytic converter to stop these emissions, the scent will not be that of a typical car but instead much more pungent. Your email address will not be published. After you pay your deductible, your insurance should cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your catalytic converter, up to the value of your vehicle or the limits of your policy. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen. In somecases,the DPF (diesel particulate filter) is also stolen from diesel cars. It consists of a ceramic honeycomb coated in metals (typically platinum, rhodium, and palladium) that allows dangerous substances in the car's exhaust to recombine and convert into safer gases. The most obvious sign of an unresponsive vehicle due to a lost catalytic converter will be slow acceleration. This type of insurance is an optional add-on to standard liability insurance, which covers your vehicle in the case of an accident. Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. Additionally, your check engine light coming on is one of the most obvious signs your catalytic converter is missing. 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. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save. If you are driving with your windows down and start to experience these symptoms, your catalytic converter may be missing. This foul smell should be almost immediately noticeable and emits from the cars exhaust line. For more information on how we use your data, please see our privacy policy. New catalytic converters can be extremely costly for the same reason. The Bottom Line: Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? A typical comprehensive coverage deductible is $250 to $500. Do Car Dealerships Offer Temporary Insurance? Our car insurance industry partnerships dont influence our content. Take extra precautions for cars with high ground clearance (like SUVs). Car insurance can cover catalytic converter theft, but only if you have the right type of coverage. Written by Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure that content is correct at the time of publication. 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. 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. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Can someone drive my car and be covered on my insurance? Its important to note that different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to covering theft. 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. Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save. See car insurance quotes from our partners. Browse our catalogue of industry-leading Cat Shields here. Insurance doesn't have to be complicated. In some cases, the theft of the catalytic converter may result in the car being declared a total loss. Copyright 2012-2023 Insurance Panda. You may receive a check from your insurance company for the replacement cost, or it may send the payment directly to the shop. This includes replacement of a stolen catalytic converter. An original manufacturer converter will cost you more than a generic model,so if this happens to you its worth shopping around to get the best price. Because hybrids are partly powered by electricity, the converters found on hybrid cars are usually in better condition than on non-hybrid cars. For instance, carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, enters the converter, mixes with oxygen, and exits as carbon dioxide. Web3. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Top-selling hybrids and hybrid models that dont have a matching all-gas equivalent may be most vulnerable because theyre easier to identify. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. Disclaimer: CarInsuranceCompanies.com strives to present the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on saving money on car insurance possible. Some of the signs of a stolen catalytic converter include: You may also notice missing parts under your vehicle after catalytic converter theft. Collision insurance, on the other hand, will not cover catalytic converter theft. A typical engine will not draw too much attention. If your car is an older model, it may be Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Dont Get Burned by Catalytic Converter Theft: Is Your Insurance Enough? With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. Will a Citation Impact My Insurance and Driving Records. Catalytic converter theft is covered under your comprehensive coverage. Assurance IQ, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. Assurance IQ, LLC is not affiliated with Assurance Agency, Ltd., nor any government agency. Will My Insurance Premiums Rise After a Catalytic Converter Insurance Claims? Generally speaking, if you have comprehensive auto insurance, you will be covered for catalytic converter theft. Theyre found underneath the car with the exhaust system and are designed to help reduce harmful emissions from the car engine. And for good reason, converters are extremely expensive to replace. Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? Should You Be Concerned? She is a storyteller who believes in the power of words. It can take just 1 to 3 minutes for a competent thief to remove a catalytic converter. Chat now to ask Flo anything or explore commonly asked questions. It costs approximately $1,100 to $2,600 to replace a catalytic converter on an average vehicle, including parts and labor. This coverage can be added to your policy by endorsement providing coverage for losses due to identity theft; credit and public records monitoring, and identity or travel documents replacement. However, no car is truly safe. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We offer insurance by phone, online and through independent agents. File a claim with your insurance: If you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can file a comprehensive claim with your insurance company to cover the damage. Adjust your car alarm settings to react to vibrations. Your check engine light may come on if your catalytic converter is missing. Know which cars are higher targets for catalytic converter thieves. Look for catalytic converter protection devices online or in stores. Content provided by Insurance Panda is for consumer education purposes, and is not intended to suggest any relationship with the brands or products compared herein. 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. You may also want to look for abrasions and other evidence of tampering. Which Cars Are Most Targeted for Catalytic Converter Theft? In 2020, insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter ranged from $500 to Thievesusually work by jackingup the car to access the catalytic converter,enabling them to cut it out-and it doesnt take longto do. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. What Is a Catalytic According to the NICB, a new catalytic converter can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. In some vehicles, such as larger cars, SUVs, and trucks, the loss of a catalytic converter can result in less low-end torque. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise. Comparison shopping should be easy. Remember that catalytic converter replacement is covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision or liability coverage. 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. This cage-like device is installed around the converter, making it more challenging and time-consuming to access and steal. How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter From Theft. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The catalytic converter is responsible for handling the emissions of a car. 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. If you discover your catalytic converter is missing, take your car to a repair shop and have it replaced as soon as possible. Converters may also combine hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) to create water vapor (H2O). These can deter potential thieves and keep your vehicle safe while it is out of your sight. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Life Insurance Options. Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save. This is accomplished with a catalyst, which is often made of a rare metal like platinum, rhodium, or palladium. Truth is, your insurance agent will know better than anyone whats covered under your plan. Sign up for tips on how to improve your credit score, offers and deals to help you save money, exclusive competitions and exciting products! Which cars are most likely to have the catalytic converter stolen? How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter that was stolen? You may be asked to provide the case number of the report so the agent can follow up. There are several steps you can take to prevent someone from stealing your catalytic converter:. You can find your catalytic converter on the underside of your vehicle. Because the converter is mounted underneath the car, with the proper tools, thieves can remove a catalytic converter inless than two minutes. Catalytic converters typically turn vehicle exhaust white or pale gray. How Much Does It Cost To Refinance A Home? Catalytic converters contain precious metals palladium, platinum and rhodium that scrap metal dealers can extract and resell. Your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the stolen converter and any surrounding damage caused by the theft. 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. How can I protect my catalytic converter from theft? 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. Can I Drive Without a Catalytic Converter? If you notice that your vehicle is struggling in these areas, check to see if your converter is still in place. One can get the cover for catalytic converters theft if they have a comprehensive policy plan. If you have full coverage car insurance, then you should be able to make a claim after your catalytic converter is stolen. 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. What is a Life Insurance Annuity And How Does it Work? WebDoes this include catalytic converter theft? Insurance covers catalytic converter theft if you have comprehensive coverage. A bonus with installing an alarm is that some insurance companies may offer a. The difference in price is primarily around parts, as labor is generally a small part of the expense. May car owners would agree that vehicle protections take much thought. . How Does a Catalytic Converter Get Stolen? A Guide to Understanding Insurance Risks, Understanding The Role of Insurance Limits in Your Policy, Personal Liability Insurance: Protecting Yourself From Unforeseen Legal Costs, Loss of Use Coverage: What to Know Before You Need It, Understanding The Different Types of Home Insurance Riders. SmartFinancial can help you view free car insurance quotes in just minutes after you enter your zip code below and fill out a brief questionnaire. If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. Why are catalytic converters so expensive? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Weve researched ways to help keep your car safefrom this type of theft. 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. Is long-term disability insurance worth it. Yes, catalytic converter theft is covered by car insurance, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. But as well as the cost of replacing the converter you may have to fix any damage done to your car during the theft. Reduction catalysts break up nitrogen oxide (NO) into nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) gases, which are harmless on their own. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our, Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert. The most commonly targeted cars within the last three years are: Many thieves target tall cars like SUVs and trucks since they are easier to access. This code holds a lot of information, including who your. help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 1-855-695-2255 for assistance. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter costs much more than what thieves get from scrap yards. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. This honeycomb transforms the emissions from dangerous automotive exhaust into safer gases. 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Car insurance, then you should be almost immediately noticeable and emits from the top car,...