We’ve all heard tales of automobile break-ins the place thieves goal a handbag, stereo system or different valuables left contained in the automobile. However not too long ago, a brand new kind of automotive crime is on the rise: catalytic converter theft.
In response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, there have been 1,298 catalytic converter thefts reported in 2018. By the tip of 2020, that quantity had climbed to 14,433 – a greater than 1,000% enhance! And sadly, this alarming development exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
However what precisely is a catalytic converter? And how will you stop your automobile from turning into a goal? Maintain studying to search out out.
What’s a catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter is a key element of your automobile’s exhaust system. Its job is to assist scale back dangerous emissions by chopping down on the quantity of pollution that exit the tailpipe.
How does a catalytic converter work?
Inside combustion engines generate energy by burning gas, like gasoline or diesel. When this gas is burned, it produces exhaust gasses.
(See additionally: What’s The Distinction Between Common and Premium Fuel?)
Nearly all of this exhaust gasoline accommodates nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor – emissions that are principally innocent. Nevertheless, as a result of your automobile is unable to burn 100% of the gas that enters the engine, it additionally produces some dangerous pollution: particularly carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide. When a majority of these emissions enter the ambiance, they’ll produce smog and acid rain.
We’ll spare you the total chemistry lesson, however a catalytic converter makes use of a “catalyst” to “convert” these dangerous emissions into the less-harmful byproducts of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
To perform this, the converter makes use of a ceramic honeycomb-type construction to warmth the exhaust gasoline. The ceramic is coated with a number of sorts of valuable metals (platinum, rhodium and palladium), which function the catalyst. When your automobile’s exhaust gasoline interacts with these metals, they create chemical reactions that scale back the quantity of dangerous pollution exiting the tailpipe.
Why do individuals steal catalytic converters?
There are two explanation why catalytic converters are being focused for theft.
- Scrap metallic for money: The dear metals used as catalysts are precious… and costs are on the rise. In actual fact, in March 2021, rhodium costs peaked at practically $30,000 an oz! Whereas the value of those metals ceaselessly fluctuate, a typical catalytic converter can include wherever from $200 to greater than $1,000 value of scrap metallic.
- Resale for elements: Stolen catalytic converters may be offered to people or less-than-honest restore retailers wanting to save cash over shopping for a brand new substitute half.
So between metals recycling and black market auto half gross sales, there’s cash to be made out of stealing catalytic converters.
How do I do know if my catalytic converter has been stolen?
You’ll be able to’t inform in case your catalytic converter has been stolen by merely your automobile. However you’ll know as quickly as you begin the engine.
To steal a catalytic converter, a thief might want to crawl below your automobile, minimize either side of the converter and take away it from the exhaust system. Meaning your automobile will basically be working and not using a muffler, making the engine extraordinarily loud.
What ought to I do if my catalytic converter has been stolen?
In case your catalytic converter has been stolen, it’s a good suggestion to name the native authorities and file a police report. Then, it is best to prepare to get your automobile towed to a close-by restore store.
Can I drive my automobile if my catalytic converter has been stolen?
Since your catalytic converter is just a part of the exhaust system, your automobile can technically run with out it. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply it’s a good suggestion to only drive off.
When the catalytic converter has been minimize out, exhaust gasses can be launched beneath your automobile as an alternative of behind it. Not solely will this make your automobile be loud, however you additionally run the danger of these dangerous exhaust gasses getting into the cabin.
And right here’s another factor to contemplate. If a thief has simply been sawing away on the underside of your automobile, there’s a risk different essential elements may have been broken, too.
How a lot does it price to switch a catalytic converter?
In response to CARFAX, the common price for a brand new catalytic converter ranges between $1,800 to $2,000. However for luxurious automobiles and sports activities automobiles, it may price much more.
Do I’ve to switch my catalytic converter?
Given the excessive substitute price, chances are you’ll be questioning if you have to substitute the catalytic converter. Sadly to your pockets, the reply is sure.
As a result of your catalytic converter is designed to take away dangerous pollution, it’s truly federally unlawful to take away it out of your exhaust system. Moreover, a lacking “cat” can set off a test engine mild, impression the efficiency of your automobile and end in some foul exhaust smells.
Does automobile insurance coverage cowl catalytic converter theft?
In case your catalytic converter has been stolen, chances are you’ll not should foot the invoice alone. That’s as a result of the elective complete protection in your auto insurance coverage coverage pays for damages that happen outdoors of a automobile accident, corresponding to vandalism, hearth or theft. At Erie Insurance coverage, this protection consists of catalytic converter theft.
Meaning when you select to file an insurance coverage declare, all you’ll should pay is your deductible (the amount of cash you pay towards repairing your automobile earlier than insurance coverage kicks in). In case your catalytic converter is stolen, your native insurance coverage agent may also help you evaluate your protection and speak you thru your choices earlier than you file a declare.
See additionally: How one can Select a Deductible
Are some automobiles at greater threat for catalytic converter theft?
Catalytic converter theft is an opportunistic crime by nature. The simpler it’s for the thief to get away, the extra doubtless they’re to focus on your automobile. This typically places high-riding automobiles like vehicles and SUVs at better threat as a result of they don’t should be jacked up for the catalytic converter to be eliminated.
How can I stop catalytic converter theft?
With the current rise in catalytic converter thefts, some corporations have began to make protecting cages that may be put in over your exhaust system. Since that is principally against the law of comfort, a cage will make your automobile much less of a straightforward goal.
Past that, your greatest probability at defending towards catalytic converter theft is to observe the identical precautions that defend your automobile towards vandalism – like putting in an alarm or parking in a secure, well-lit space.
Defend what issues
Discovering that you simply’ve been the sufferer of theft or vandalism is sufficient to smash anybody’s day. However with auto insurance coverage from ERIE, you don’t should face it alone. We do every part we will to make our claims course of handy and quick. As a result of the earlier we will resolve your declare and substitute your loss, the earlier your life returns to regular. See what makes us completely different and discover a native automobile insurance coverage agent close to you.