Enormous spikes in catalytic converter theft have been reported all through the nation in latest months. The anti-pollution units comprise treasured metals resembling platinum, palladium or rhodium and could be faraway from the underside of a automotive or truck in as little as 5 minutes.
Thieves are getting wherever from $50 to $250 per converter from recyclers, in response to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau (NICB) and changing the half can value $900 or extra.
In an effort to stem the thefts, the NICB has lately teamed up with a number of Virginia police departments to host catalytic converter etching occasions. Throughout the occasions, mechanics etch and paint automobile registration numbers onto the converters, which serves to trace the elements if stolen.
Extra etching occasions are at the moment being scheduled in Virginia. The NICB encourages regulation enforcement throughout the nation to carry related occasions to assist fight catalytic converter theft.
Different theft prevention choices embrace putting in a metal defend that matches over the catalytic converter, requiring time and further instruments to take away the half; cages fabricated from high-strength metal that’s troublesome to chop; or stainless-steel cables welded from the catalytic converter to the automotive’s body.
In case your converter is stolen, the theft is roofed by the non-obligatory complete portion of your insurance coverage coverage in some circumstances. However you may be chargeable for paying the deductible. In case your deductible is $1,000 and the fee to restore the injury prices $1,000 or possibly a number of hundred {dollars} extra, it’s possible you’ll not decide to file a declare.
Drivers are suggested to contact their insurers to report the theft and decide one of the best plan of action.
