Catalytic converter theft

Did you know Texas has the second-highest number of claims for Catalytic converter theft in the country?

With a whopping $21.5 Million in claim costs across the country, it is no wonder people have taken notice of this type of theft. Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise since the pandemic. The metals used to make the catalytic converts include platinum, palladium, and rhodium, all of which thieves sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars per ounce. Previously, these robberies were rare, but since the prices for rare metals have risen, so has the motive for the thefts. Catalytic converter theft can happen anywhere, and in many cases, the replacement cost is well in the $2,000-$3,000 price range.

Some ways to protect yourself:

• Park in a secure area, like a garage, somewhere well-lit, or with a high volume of people around.
• Turn up the sensitivity on your car's alarm system.
• There are anti-theft options available in the form of cables, cages, and steel shields that can be added to your vehicle to help protect it. These generally range between $250-$800 to have professionally installed.
• Check to be sure your insurance has coverage for this type of theft.

What to do if this happens to you:

• Contact your insurance company and take pictures of the damaged exhaust pipe where the catalytic converter used to be.
• Check with a local muffler shop to ensure whether or not it is ok to drive your vehicle to the shop.
• File a police report, which can easily be done online in many jurisdictions.
• While your new catalytic converter is being installed, ask the repair shop about adding an anti-theft device to prevent future thefts.

sources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/07/21/how-to-avoid-catalytic-converter-theft-avoidance-tips/8026062002/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/5-ways-to-foil-catalytic-converter-thieves