Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your exhaust system contains precious metals that thieves want to sell for a profit. 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. 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. Do Car Dealerships Offer Temporary Insurance? So knowing how you can protect your vehicle can be key. Additionally, catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal for experienced thieves and it is impossible to track them if they are stolen. Stealing a catalytic converter is easier than you might think. Quotes and offers are not binding, nor a guarantee of coverage. Installing one that includes lights and indicators can deter thieves who will not find setting off the cars alarms worth the hassle. Reduction catalysts break up nitrogen oxide (NO) into nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) gases, which are harmless on their own. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Plus, you wouldn't be able to pass safety and emissions inspections without a catalytic converter. Without the catalytic converter to stop these emissions, the scent will not be that of a typical car but instead much more pungent. If your vehicle has had multiple replacements of catalytic converters or is an older vehicle, your insurance may not fix it and opt to give you the value of the car instead. If you notice that your car exhaust is now black or brown, it may indicate that your catalytic converter is missing. 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Life Insurance Options. When to use auto vs. health insurance for car accident injuries. In some cases,and especially on older cars, the repair will cost more than the car is worth. Email us ateditorial@policygenius.com. How can I protect my catalytic converter from theft? Be sure to send photocopies with your resubmitted claim and not the originals. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Catalytic converters convert exhaust into less harmful gases and any vehicle made after 1974 must have one installed. Catalytic converters contain valuable components like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. or Chris Harrigan has an economic degree from Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University. If you have multiple vehicles, park the ones with lower ground clearance outside of the vehicles with higher ground clearance (like SUVs). 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. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise. Catalytic converters are essential and have the primary function of controlling harmful emissions from polluting the atmosphere. Whats the difference between ATV vs. a dirtbike? 2023 Smartfinancial.com Ins LLC DBA SmartFinancial Insurance. Wait for the technician to repair your vehicle, allow your insurance to pay for repairs (minus your deductible), and continue driving as normal. Even vehicles shipped from overseas must have a compliant catalytic converter; if it lacks one, a new one is usually installed before sale. If you cant do that, try to park in a well-lit area or an area with surveillance cameras. Does home insurance cover damage from fallen trees? Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Should You Be Concerned? In some vehicles, such as larger cars, SUVs, and trucks, the loss of a catalytic converter can result in less low-end torque. Lets get into this! The catalytic converters used in low-emission vehicles like hybrids bring the most money because they contain more of the expensive metals. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Confirm with your insurance company about whether your auto insurance policy has catalytic converter theft coverage. Some drivers have reported paying fines of thousands of dollars for driving without a catalytic converter. The additional and inexpensive cost of comprehensive coverage can save car owners discomfort and stress. 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. This means that if you do not have comprehensive coverage, you must pay out of pocket for the entire cost of replacement. Its found between the engine and the muffler. The hybrid models often targeted for catalytic converter theft include the older model Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris, Honda Jazz, and the Lexus RX. This cage-like device is installed around the converter, making it more challenging and time-consuming to access and steal. Will My Insurance Premiums Rise After a Catalytic Converter Insurance Claims? Get an alarm: A car alarm that responds to vibrations can let you know if someone is trying to steal your catalytic converter. Our car insurance industry partnerships dont influence our content. If you notice that your vehicle is struggling in these areas, check to see if your converter is still in place. It is therefore important for people to do what they can to prevent theft of their catalytic converters. To compare quotes from many different car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. Insurance doesn't have to be complicated. Catalytic converters are an essential element to your car's exhaust system that minimizes dangerous emissions to make your vehicle more environmentally friendly and less pollutant. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Another option for those who want to protect their catalytic converters is to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for catalytic converters. By February 2021,18 states were considering legislationto help curb the spread of catalytic converter thefts. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page. Unfortunately, it is an essential component of your vehicle and would need to be replaced fairly quickly after a theft. Use our free car insurance quote tool above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. Chris Harrigan In 2020, insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter ranged from $500 to This makes them worth more. the comprehensive coverage available on the market. This combination makes catalytic converters a popular target for thieves. In short, if your catalytic converter is stolen, youll likely be covered under comprehensive auto insurance but not collision insurance. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company. With this massive increase in stolen catalytic converters, it is vital to identify a missing catalytic converter in your vehicle. Ocean Finance,Think Park,Trafford Park, Mosley Rd,ManchesterM17 1FQ. This vital component was added to vehicle manufacturing in the 1970s and has become a mandatory part of the automobile industry. Christa Ehrler is a wordsmith, copywriter, and traveler with over seven years of digital publishing experience. In some cases,and especially on older cars, the repair will cost more than the car is worth. The technology wasn't as refined for older cars, so their catalytic converters can have more metals than newer ones. Although all catalytic converters are valuable to thieves, they target some car makes and modelsmore than others. Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. report a claim Because, until you hit the deductible amount, you and only you are responsible for covering repair costs on your vehicle. Because hybrids are partly powered by electricity, the converters found on hybrid cars are usually in better condition than on non-hybrid cars. She is a Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. It all depends on your policy. Gather evidence This can include police reports, any eyewitness information, photographs or other supporting evidence. Converters use two primary types of catalysts: reduction and oxidation. 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. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. WebDoes this include catalytic converter theft? Comprehensive coverage is optional in all states and is part of full coverage car insurance. If youre a recent victim of catalytic converter theft, then you might be wondering what your recourse should be. This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement. The number of catalytic converter thefts in the United States. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. And if the claimisfor more than your cars worth then the insurance company will write it off. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. Catalytic converters mounted under vehicles are usually easy to access and remove using power or even hand tools. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and to a shocking degree. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. It costs approximately $1,100 to $2,600 to replace a catalytic converter on an average vehicle, including parts and labor. Contact us for answers. 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. Looking for the best possible coverage for catalytic converter theft can be difficult, but we can make it easier. How Much Is Car Insurance for 24-Year-Olds? Rhodium . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If concerned that your converter is at risk of being stolen, you may want to have a professional engrave your catalytic converter with your cars vehicle identification number or VIN. Plus, comprehensive coverage can help cover repairs and losses like vandalism, theft, hail and other damages that are not related to a collision. 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. Cars that are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen are ones with fewer precious metals and therefore scrapyard value. This code holds a lot of information, including who your previous auto insurance company was, any history of car theft, or your cars manufacturing or recall information. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. Your insurance company should cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. Are 2-Door Cars More Expensive to Insure? Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Car insurance companies meet your needs new catalytic converter theft, then you might think photocopies... Offers are not available in all states do not have comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle easier! Use our free car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on page... 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