What do I do if someone stole my catalytic converter?

If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. They will check local security cameras and work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Additionally, a police report may be essential to your insurance coverage.

Does insurance cover a stolen catalytic converter?

Is a stolen catalytic converter covered by insurance? If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Comprehensive coverage will typically pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal.

How much is a catalytic converter worth when stolen?

Thieves can make anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard catalytic converter, and ones from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1,400. These parts are also relatively easy to access from under the vehicle.

How can I stop someone from stealing my catalytic converter?

Can catalytic converters be traced stolen?

“Once a thief gets away with your catalytic converter, there is often little law enforcement can do to prove a suspect committed a theft,” said Gray in the release. “By requiring these parts to be marked, a detached catalytic converter can be traced back to its original vehicle and legal ownership can be established.

Someone Stole my Catalytic Converter.... Again..

Is stealing a catalytic converter a federal crime?

The PART Act will require that new vehicles have unique identifying numbers stamped on catalytic converters during assembly, as well as establishes a federal criminal penalty for the theft, sale, trafficking or known purchase of stolen catalytic convertor, supporters of the bill noted.

How long can you drive without a catalytic converter?

As part of a car's exhaust system, the catalytic converter helps to reduce air pollution. You will not harm your engine or your car in any way by driving without a catalytic converter. It's not always a good idea to drive around without one, even if it works.

What car has most catalytic converters stolen?

Why do thieves steal catalytic converters?

Why are people stealing them? Thieves target catalytic converters because of the value of the metals found inside the devices. Catalytic converters are typically made up of three precious metals: platinum, palladium and rhodium. The value of all three metals have risen sharply in price in the last decade.

How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?

Catalytic converter replacement isn't cheap. For most vehicles, the average cost of a catalytic converter repair is between $945 and $2475 including parts and labor. The catalytic converter cost itself can be up to $2250 of that. That might be close to your car's value or more!

Who would buy a stolen catalytic converter?

In the current market, catalytic converters can be resold to recyclers for as little as $50 or to precious metal dealers for as much as thousands of dollars per ounce, reported the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

How much do criminals get for a catalytic converter?

Thanks to the increasing prices of the precious metals used in the production — i.e, platinum, rhodium and palladium — an ill-gotten catalytic converter can “typically” fetch between $50 and $250 when sold to an unscrupulous recycling facility, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

How much is a catalytic converter worth on the black market?

According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, a global non-profit organization with a focus in public policy, criminals typically sell stolen catalytic converters for $50-$500 to internet buyers or scrapyards.

How much do thieves sell catalytic converters for?

The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it. It can cost you on average up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one.

Which cars are at risk of catalytic converter theft?

Those vehicles most often targeted for catalytic converter theft during the past three years in California are the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Honda Accord, Ford Econoline, Honda CRV, Ford F-250, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Ford Excursion and the Toyota Tacoma.

How easy is it to steal a catalytic converter?

Unfortunately, stealing a catalytic converter is very easy to do. Thieves usually slide underneath a car with a battery-powered reciprocating saw and cut it right out of the exhaust line. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes and makes as much noise as any other power tool.

How do thieves sell stolen catalytic converters?

Thieves target vehicles like Toyotas, Fords and Hyundais getting under the car to cut the catalytic converters, sometimes in less than a minute. The converters are then sold to junkyards and scrap yards for a couple of hundred dollars. For you to replace it though can cost over $2,000.

What vehicles have the most valuable catalytic converters?

How do I know if my catalytic converter was stolen?

The first sign of a stolen catalytic converter is incredibly loud vehicle noises. You will find that when driving without your catalytic converter, it will sound like your vehicle is roaring—especially when starting or giving it gas.

Why are people stealing catalytic converters from Toyota?

Currently, Prius is being targeted because catalytic converters of hybrids need more of the precious metals to work properly because they don't get as hot as those installed on conventional vehicles, since the combustion engines of hybrids only run part of the time.

Can you sell a car without a catalytic converter?

(a) No dealer or person holding a retail seller's permit shall sell a new or used vehicle equipped with a catalytic converter unless the catalytic converter has been engraved or etched with the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle to which it is attached.

Can I replace my catalytic converter with a straight pipe?

The short answer is yes you can.

This is because a catalytic converter's primary job is to convert dangerous emissions (like carbon monoxide) from gasoline-fueled engines into more environmental-friendly gases, like carbon dioxide or water vapor.

What does your car sound like without a catalytic converter?

You'll notice a loud rumbling or roaring sound when you turn on the engine if your catalytic converter is missing. This sound gets louder when you hit the gas. The exhaust is not working correctly, so the vehicle also drives rougher than usual, often with a sense of sputtering as you change speed.

What do thieves do with stolen catalytic?

So why are catalytic converters a hot item for thieves? "These catalytic converters are stolen off of vehicles and they're taken to recycling locations where they're turned in for money," explained Raquel Zick, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer.

How long does it take to replace stolen catalytic converter?

Experienced thieves can remove a catalytic converter in one to two minutes using basic tools. What can net a thief hundreds of dollars at a scrapyard or recycler can then cost you thousands of dollars to replace, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.