The Rise in Catalytic Converter Theft

Put simply, catalytic converter theft is the theft or burglary of catalytic converters. Due to the shaky economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, catalytic converter theft has more than tripled since the initial stay-at-home orders, based on the number of insurance claims. But these numbers likely underestimate the number of actual thefts, as not every theft is covered under an insurance claim. For example, if someone doesn’t have comprehensive insurance, they can’t claim catalytic converter theft, so the real numbers could be much higher.

From 2019 to 2020, catalytic converter theft claims in the U.S. increased by 326 percent on average.

But we don’t mean to scare you. Even though rates of catalytic converter theft have increased recently, it’s still relatively uncommon compared with the number of registered vehicles on the road.

If you lack comprehensive coverage and your catalytic converter is stolen, you might have to spend $1,000 to $3,000 to repair your car. More on comprehensive coverage later.

You can spot catalytic converter theft in a few ways. Suspicious activity around your vehicle could clue you in, or you could see signs on the vehicle itself. Here’s what to look for.

Suspicious Activity

• Someone peeking inside your vehicle when it’s parked
• A vehicle near yours that’s moving slowly without any lights or following the same course over and over, which could be a sign of a burglary stakeout
• A parked car with people inside, which could be a lookout for an in-progress burglary
• Multiple car repairs at noncommercial locations
• Someone changing cars quickly
• The sound of glass breaking

Signs of Catalytic Converter Theft

• A loud, roaring sound as you start your car
• A sound that gets louder as you accelerate
• Bumpy driving
• A sputtering sound when you change speeds

In order to prevent catalytic converter theft, you’ll need to know what thieves look for so you can avoid these types of vehicles and circumstances.

What Thieves Look For

• Priuses and other common targets: Certain types of cars are common targets for catalytic converter theft. The most common, according to mechanics from multiple states, are Toyota Priuses. Due to their hybrid nature, the metal coating of their catalytic converters are in better shape and less corroded.⁴ In addition, Priuses contain two catalytic converters, not one. Other common cars for catalytic converter theft include pickup trucks, Honda vans, and box-style trucks.⁵ According to Tully Lehman, public affairs manager of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, larger vehicles like pickups and delivery vehicles tend to be targeted more, as they’re often stored in yards and left unattended overnight.
• Low visibility: Thieves are more likely to steal cars that are parked in public in dark, secluded areas without a lot of people.

Tips to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

1. Adjust your vehicle’s alarm to make it more sensitive.
2. If you park your car in your driveway or garage, install motion-activated lights.
3. Park in private garages whenever possible.
4. Install a theft prevention device on your converter, be it a strap, shield, or plate.
5. Etch or engrave your catalytic converter with your vehicle identification number (VIN). Even if someone steals it, the scrap dealer will be able to see it’s stolen and identify the owner.
6. If you have to park in public, choose high-traffic, well-lit areas.

People steal catalytic converters for two main reasons:

1. They’re easy to steal with basic tools.
2. Thieves can sell them for up to hundreds of dollars at recyclers or scrap yards.⁶

Why are these devices so lucrative? It’s because of their precious metals.

As catalytic converters contain precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium, thieves can sell them for $50 to $250 per device.⁸

If you’ve discovered that your catalytic converter is missing, follow these steps:

1. File a police report. You’ll need a police report to file a car insurance claim, so call 911 first thing.
2. Use your tracking device. If you installed a tracking device on your catalytic converter, use it to try to find the converter yourself.
3. File an auto insurance claim. If you have comprehensive coverage, contact your auto insurance provider to file a claim.

4. Replace your catalytic converter. Take your car to a repair shop to get a new catalytic converter.

Auto insurance doesn’t always cover catalytic converter theft or auto theft in general. It only covers theft if you have comprehensive coverage, which covers damage to your car from events other than collisions (compare collision vs. comprehensive coverage here). When you buy your auto insurance policy from an insurance agent or broker, make sure to include comprehensive coverage, even though no state requires it in its auto insurance requirements.

Auto insurance doesn’t always cover catalytic converter theft.

Even if you have comprehensive coverage and your catalytic converter theft is covered, you’ll still need to pay your comprehensive deductible (if you haven’t already paid it) before your insurance kicks in. After you reach your deductible, your insurance provider will cover the rest of the cost of a new catalytic converter and installation up to the limit you’ve set.

If you lack comprehensive coverage or don’t want to pay your deductible, technically, you can drive without a catalytic converter. However, your car will be loud and your ride won’t be as smooth,^9> so it’s best to replace a catalytic converter as soon as possible.

Many factors affect car insurance rates, including your age, how much you drive, and whether you live in a city or a rural area. Your catalytic converter being stolen won’t make your premiums go up, though, even if you have a covered claim. Unlike at-fault accidents, auto theft doesn’t affect car insurance costs, so you don’t have to worry about higher premiums once your car is repaired.

With a few simple precautions, you can reduce your risk of catalytic converter theft. While catalytic converters may seem simple, thieves love them for their high resale value, so make sure to park in private garages and install anti-theft devices to protect yours.