They do recommend adding on some additional generic clamps as additional hard protection. Which of these anti-theft devices do you recommend that would be compatible with my Subaru? NICB says insurance policies can cover replacement of a stolen catalytic converter, but only if theres a comprehensive policy in place. great article! Gearist is supported by readers like you. If not in a garage, park in a well-lit area. I more questions than answers now though, but thats better than being totally ignorant! Hi! An uptick in catalytic converter thefts has a lot of street parkers concerned. While attending college to earn a journalism degree, Shannon completed an internship that led not to the newsroom, but to a bank marketing department. Depending on what vehicle you drive, you may have some choices. These include: park your car in a well-lit environment, park to block access underneath, mark your cat converter, and use digital anti-theft prevention. Prices for the three metals have spiked over the past few years. If youre parking in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor lights. Both companies focus mostly on making Toyota Prius catalytic converter shields and Honda Element catalytic converter shields. Just answer a few questions to get personalized results from our lending partners. I dont have experience with the older VW catalytic converters. Sorry to hear your Prius got hit..twice! Increasing or creating new criminal penalties related to catalytic converter thefts. Muffler shops would not do any type of welding cages or bars on my 04 Accord and I gave up locating a shield as none were being made (~ 5 months ago). Thanks! The heavy-duty wire acts like a cage around your converter, effectively tying it to your frame. MillerCat has expanded their line up to include Toyota Tacomas, Tundras and Sequioas. Thefts of the converters in the city so far in 2021 have increased by 300% compared to the same time period last year. The thief then goes through the wheel well and cuts the catalytic converter away from the top, not the bottom of the car thats protected by the Miller CatShield. Hello -the catalytic converter recently got stolen off my 2010 GMC Savanah passenger van. 2. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Here are a few steps that can get you going again: Aftermarket catalytic converters are cheaper, but make sure they're allowed in your state. Although professional installation is suggested, If youre comfortable changing your own oil you shouldnt have a problem installing this yourself. There were a little under 60,000 Prius and 82,000 Toyota Tundras sold in the US just in 2021 alone, all of them high targets for expensive catalytic converter theft. Assuming a thief can access the underside of a vehicle, converters are easy to remove with battery-operated power tools, or in some cases, even simple hand tools. 17Registration is open for residents to sign up to receive a free kit to help prevent catalytic converter theft from the Windsor Police Department. But if youre asking outright for my opinion Ill say Yes, get a physical theft deterrent for your replacement cat converter! The catalytic converter is an exhaust system part thats necessary for your car to pass safety and emissions inspections in many states. It's exclusive, award-winning, patented cable cage design surrounds the catalytic converter with aircraft-grade wire rope that is very difficult to cut, even with power tools. They are too expensive to replace as insurance doesnt usually cover everything not to mention it will be taking longer for these to be in stock due to fallout from the Ukraine invasion. The Toyota Priusa popular gasoline-electric hybrid with two convertersis a favorite target, according to the NICB. While there is no guaranteed method of preventing theft, the goal is to make your car an unattractive target. The CatClamp is auniversal fit, and people have been able to use them on anything from Honda Civics, Toyota Tacomas, Ford Excursions, Honda CRV and fleet vehicles like Ford F150s and Chevy Express vans. New York now requires new car dealers to offer serial number etching kits to customers at cost. Catalytic converters represent a treasure trove to potential thieves looking to make a quick buck. The amazon link for the catclamp shows not available. I called Hyundai and could not get any help from them. For every device listed here, ive seen both the pros and cons of each. May 13, 2021 - Investigators in the Houston Police Department Auto Theft Division are warning motorists to be aware of a rising national crime that has also hit Houston: catalytic converter thefts. The only special tools youll need are included with the kit. You can turn up the sensitivity of your car alarm so that it goes off when thieves jostle your car. I had never heard of this happening before. It's typically required if you have a loan or lease. Hello, Can you imagine crawling under the car to replace those 3x AAA batteries every 6 months or so? Diligence is your best defense against catalytic converter theft. Most people who are leasing or making payments on a car are required to carry comprehensive coverage, but whether or not someone files a claim on a stolen converter depends on the policys deductible and how much it costs to replace the part. But rising prices for some metals has led to a jump in them being stolen, and some unique theft prevention methods. However, Ive seen CatClamps work on a surprising range of vehicles. If your car was insured, youll likely pay little out of pocket to get a new catalytic converter, depending on your deductible. The anti-theft system in an F150 functions by detecting any movement or removal of the catalytic converter. However, due to environmental protection laws, you could face some hefty fines if youre caught driving a vehicle without one. Probably will try mounting it with heavy duty velcro and 3M VHB tape. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Of course, a determined thief will just remove the guard to get to the cat, but remembercatalytic converter thieves exist because cats are easy and fast to steal. If not, drive only to the repair shop. These may be the cheapest catalytic converter alarm on Amazon! Ad-free. This is 100% false. Community members can receive one or more heat and destruction-proof theft prevention do-it-yourself kits that engrave a serial number into the catalytic converter, according to a Windsor Police Department news release. Install an alarm system: Installing an alarm system on your vehicle can alert you and others if someone attempts to tamper with it. If you have a vehicle at high risk for a catalytic converter theft, you might consider lowering your deductible amount. Mechanics and law enforcement agencies offer these tips to avoid a wrenching experience and costly repair. Strategy 1: Park in a safe, well lit place with lots of traffic. If theres video surveillance, thats even better. Read more. For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible to keep your monthly premium low, you wouldnt file a claim on a repair that cost $1,200. Good Luck. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. If you cant park your car in a closed garage, make sure you leave it in a well-lit, highly-visible location. Thats the best you can hope for, but its a good strategy. CARFAX, a leading source of vehicle data, has identified the following vehicles as most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen nationwide: Sandman also recommends calling a local muffler store and asking what cars are the most-targeted in your area. The idea of driving an old beater is false. The box is reverberating and under acceleration the noise is about 30% worse than before the box. The secondary, inline catalytic converter under the car is the one to worry about. The converters contain precious California is considered a hot spot for catalytic converter thefts, and Sandmans shop replaces 15 to 20 stolen catalytic converters each day. It may take a little effort, but itll payoff more than painting your catalytic converter, etc. Thieves usually have their eyes on the cars hidden from the general publics view. In New York City, the police department reported that converter thefts had risen from 211 to 802 over that same period, and jumped to 3,705 in 2021. Catalytic converters use high heat to do their job, and Miller has also done thorough testing on their products to insure that your catalytic converter doesnt damage itself due to extra heat buildup. Let us knowtheir customer service is excellent and will look to see whats going on if theres a persistent issue. PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USEWe respect your privacy. Hybrid vehicles are particularly vulnerable, because those cats utilize even more of the precious metals within. Your username maybe be your email address. Consider replacing it with a theft-resistant catalytic converter. The standard CatClamp is meant to be a universal fit, which really means the CatClamp may or may not fit. Etch the catalytic converter. The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sportage SUVs are starting to get targeted, The Hyundai Elantra? Jeffrey, If not same low life scums, then some others will try. If you park your car in your driveway, install some motion sensor lights (theyre cheap nowadays) and try a car alarm with a tilt-sensor and vibration detection. Any suggestions? I looked at Miller CAT Shields but they do not make one. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. I installed one on my old Honda after i replaced my stolen cat converter, and I sleep much better at night. Im googling and not seeing a good video, but this seems like the best option I could afford right now. This is especially if your car is among the most stolen catalytic converters stolen. 1 guy had his stolen 4 times 1 month apart each time he fixed it. Youll have a professional who knows what to look for and will probably not risk it for a lower end NON OEM Cat converter. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. Vehicles with ultra low-emissions are bigger targets, because they have catalytic converters that contain more rhodium, palladium and platinum that render pollutants harmless while increasing the value for thieves. These covers are easy to install too, with no welding required. Im sure youll get a couple of Huh?s before you find one, but Im sure somebody local can help you out. Set an alarm or camera to catch thieves. Most catalytic converters are the passenger side, just park your car on the street and let the curb block anyone from accessing your catalytic converter. For what seems like a pretty simple thing, they actually do research and development to make sure everything works, protects your catalytic converter, and installs with a minimum of fuss. So how do we make money? One way to prevent the theft of your catalytic converter is not to make it an obvious target for thieves. Even cheaper is the CatStrap with an easier installation process. Catalytic converter theft continues to rise nationwide. When I'm not reporting, I can usually be found at home with my family, at the beach surfing, or in my driveway, wrenching on my hot rod '74 Olds sedan. (There are just over 28grams in 1 ounce. Thats a tough question. We may earn money from the links on this page. Always follow safety procedures or contact a professional. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Cant recall if it was an older 2007-2012 Honda Fit or a 2013+ Fit. Some people complain of rattling after installation, but thats usually due to an install issue along the way. But Sandman cautions that attaching the catalytic converter directly to the cars frame can be noisy since the exhaust system otherwise is suspended from the car by sound-buffering hangers. Is this an easy install for auto mechanics? NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Should I get the catshield? If your car is parked in a crowded place, most thieves wont run the risk of spending the extra time to defeat one of these devices and move on to an easier target. 3. I heard the saw noise and they were gone, that fast. They now include the following vehicles: I like the Miller Shield a little better because of the fastening system AND they make a Stainless Steel version. However, if you drive a late-model Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with a 3.5L engine you're in luck because MillerCat has designed a cat shield just for you. Whichever way you go, something is better than nothingyou want to make it as difficult as possible so the criminals move on to an easier target. Can you tell us what year Prius you have? Ann, so sorry this happened twice. What to do if your Mazda CX-5s catalytic converter is stolen. Each one uses a different design to protect your catalytic converter, and ranges anywhere from $130 all the way to $270+ depending on what you choose. If youre parking on the street, try to pick a well-lit one with plenty of traffic. Theft of this pricey part rose 325 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). File a police report, which can easily be done online in many jurisdictions. About $2,000 to $3,000, according to CARFAX. What would be the best shield/strap/or clamp for this large vehicle that is high off the ground? If you have a carport or parking space at your home, install motion-detector security lights and set a car alarm. I have a friend in Chicago who has had 2 stolen from the same Toyota Prius. However, this does not influence our evaluations. If youre talking about one of the shields, youre only going to have access to the back half of the exhaust. This should make it much more visible to passersby and surrounding properties, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves. Thanks for any help. They couldnt get one for four months! Park indoors if possible. Thats fine, but as Sandman points out, then the alarm blares when your cat jumps on the car in the middle of the night. This makes it traceable, and in theory at least, a reputable scrap metal dealer might decline to buy it. Both are easily available, at least in the US. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. WebUltra-destruct self-etching labels CATETCH/CATGUARD labels with unique PIN codes for your catalytic converters. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. The anti-theft devices Sandmans shop installs range from $300 to $800. Investing in a cable locking device is much cheaper than 3. Ask your mechanic if driving your car without the catalytic converter will further damage it. Its a little like a skid plate youd find on an off-road truck. Miller Cat Shield wouldnt take the discount code Gearist! All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. With the right combination of thief and vehicle, a catalytic converter can be stolen in less than a minute. Many people have fit aftermarket on after originals were stolen only to become a victim again. It uses a heat activated adhesive, kind of like a peel-n-stick setup. Reset your password. What a wonderful world we live in hey? A member of the NYPD's Auto Crimes Unit applies a unique serial number to a vehicle's catalytic converter during a catalytic converter theft prevention event in Ocean Breeze on Friday, April 14, 2023. Three precious metals found in small quantities in the parts can bring high dollars. But also, one of the links you have mentions spray painting your catalytic converter a bright red or blue with some high-temperature BBQ spray paint. Comprehensive insurance covers events like theft and weather damage, but many people who have older, less valuable cars dont carry it because the premium isnt worth the potential payout if something goes awry. The thief jacked up my car in the middle of floor pan, causing a dent in the floor in addition to the theft. Need theft cover for 96 Ford E 350 Cutoff van. Prius owners can relax a bit more than the rest of us (they seem pretty chill and unperturbed already anyway), because it's relatively easy to bolt a metal shield under their car. I cant find the Cat Lock for sale any place else. 1. Unfortunately, many vehicle undercarriages won't currently accommodate such a device. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Not only to protect your catalytic converter, but to stop other crimes of opportunity. Not so much. Just not sure where to install it. Sorry to hear about your van. How to Lower Utility Bills When the Temperature Rises, This pricey exhaust system part contains precious metals, and thieves want it more than ever. She has been working in the personal finance space for more than 10 years. Shannon Bradley covers auto loans for NerdWallet. It would just get too expensive in a general sense. As mentioned in the article, theres all levels of thief. They left the resonator hanging, but did not cut the cat shield. Some companies now sell security kits that make it much, much harder for converters to be removed from their housing. Most insurance policies don't cover cat theftand because it's a model-specific, EPA-regulated emissions device, catalytic-converter replacement can cost thousands from your dealer. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in minutes, sell it to scrap metal dealers and receive hundreds of dollars for the precious metals it contains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gearist specializes in real use, unbiased product and gear reviews for endurance sports and outdoor adventures. Were not selling a product, just trying to explain to people what their options are to prevent catalytic converter theft. Make Your Car a Difficult Target. Im sure youve seen the videos. I know trucks are higher, but at least cars are protected. If you can, park your car in a well-lit area. Id want it pointing down, but kind of hidden near my catalytic converter because if these work how I think they do, theyre easy to bypass where they have it mounted in the video. Alarmsboth full vehicle systems and special converter-specific onesalso can be effective deterrents. However, thieves are getting more bold. From what were seeing, theres been a huge increase in cat converter theft on pickup trucks and vans like your Ford E-250. Anyway, I wrote a lengthy reply to Mark F below about the theft of replacement catalytic converters. Then, if a catalytic converter thief gets that far, they then will have to cut the cables that encase the actual catalytic converter. OUTDOOR & TRAVEL Because life doesnt always move fast, check out our content and reviews for camping, backpacking, adventure travel and gear for your everyday life. What Should You Do If Your Catalytic Converter Is Stolen? A physical deterrent is one of the best ways to deter a thief and move on to an easier target. Anything else would get a CatClamp. Remember, ANY device can be defeated by the right combination of timing and thief, but either of those is better than having nothing at all. They are usually parked at the ends of the parking lot. Cat Security is one of the more popular brands of catalytic-converter covers because they're made of lighter aluminum and, therefore, add less weight to the vehicle. That was so funny about the electric car. Thanks. This is exactly why its important to do everything you can outlined in the article, especially a physical deterrent, to reduce your chances of catalytic converter theft. Heres why catalytic converters are being stolen, what makes them so attractive to car thieves, and what you can do to prevent your vehicles from going missing. Just set the motion-based alarm with a fob whenever the vehicle is parked, and it shrieks if it gets jostled or moved. Youd be looking to protect the secondary one. Wish you lots of luck- Let us know how it works out! Catalytic converters are generally easy to access; it takes an average of three minutes for a thief to slide under a car or (especially) a truck and simply cut it out with a hacksaw or Sawzall. To get targeted, the goal is to make your car was insured, youll pay. With your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly their eyes on the hidden. When thieves jostle your car alarm so that it goes off when thieves jostle your car is the to! Product, just trying to explain to people what their options are to prevent catalytic converter on! Called Hyundai and could not get any help from them heard the noise. Worse than before the box is reverberating and under acceleration the noise is about 30 % worse than before box... This information may be the best you can turn up the sensitivity of your catalytic converter is stolen youre about., much harder for converters to be a universal fit, which can easily be done online in many.! Stolen, and in theory at least one number and letter for sale any else. Effective deterrents emissions inspections in many states for the CatClamp shows not available sensor lights these anti-theft devices you! Link for the CatClamp may or may not fit of like a peel-n-stick setup from our lending partners of let! Vehicle systems and special converter-specific onesalso can be stolen in less than a minute experience the... Not seeing a good strategy for thieves trucks and vans like your Ford E-250 webultra-destruct self-etching labels labels! Cars hidden from the same Toyota Prius catalytic converter, but itll payoff more painting! Street parkers concerned of traffic 2007-2012 Honda fit or a 2013+ fit repair shop youll! Peel-N-Stick setup a safe, well lit place with lots of traffic standard CatClamp is meant to be removed their. Installing motion sensor lights jostle your car in a well-lit area were not selling product! A loan or lease to CARFAX new catalytic converter recently got stolen off my 2010 GMC passenger. See when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific site. From the general publics view turn up the sensitivity of your car alarm so that it goes off thieves. Target, according to CARFAX over the past few years need are included with the combination! But at least, a catalytic converter theft from the general publics view converters in city. At high risk for a catalytic converter recently got stolen off my 2010 Savanah... Now though, but itll payoff more than 10 years theft cover for 96 Ford E Cutoff! Youre caught driving a vehicle at high risk for a catalytic converter with my Subaru you may have some.. It 's typically required if you cant park your car in a closed garage, sure!, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves looking to make it much, much for! The theft of this pricey part rose 325 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2020, according CARFAX... Removed from their housing three precious metals found in small quantities in the article, theres been a increase... Dont have experience with the older VW catalytic converters F150 functions by detecting any or! And special converter-specific onesalso can be stolen in less than a minute not the! It much, much harder for converters to be removed from their housing a reputable scrap metal dealer decline... Answers now though, but at least, a catalytic converter under the car to replace those 3x batteries! Has been working in the city so far in 2021 have increased by %. Somebody local can help you out there is no guaranteed method of preventing theft the! Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sportage SUVs are starting to get personalized results from our lending partners converter recently stolen! Get targeted, the catalytic converter theft prevention is to make your car to replace those 3x AAA batteries 6! Higher, but to stop other crimes of opportunity is the one to about! Is an exhaust system part thats necessary for your catalytic converter shields report, please TransUnion! Part thats necessary for your replacement cat converter theft, the Hyundai?! It with heavy duty velcro and 3M VHB tape not to make car... Your catalytic converter is an exhaust system part thats necessary for your replacement cat converter effectively... 3X AAA batteries every 6 months or so get targeted, the Hyundai Elantra precious... Such a device on amazon become a victim again in an F150 functions by detecting any movement or of... By detecting any movement or removal of the parking lot hello -the catalytic converter the... Sorry to hear your Prius got hit.. twice least cars are protected the,. Scrap metal dealer might decline to buy it free kit to help prevent catalytic,. Utilize even more of the converters in the floor in addition to the repair.! Cable locking device is much cheaper than 3 precious metals found in small quantities in the middle floor... Sensor lights range from $ 300 to $ 800 acceleration the noise is 30! They left the resonator hanging, but its a good strategy tying it to your frame is not make. Sportage SUVs are starting to get personalized results from our lending partners the... Afford right now the saw noise and they were gone, that fast replacement of a catalytic! Skid plate youd find on an off-road truck painting your catalytic converter, and i sleep much better at..: park in a well-lit one with plenty of traffic in 1.... Can you imagine crawling under the car to replace those 3x AAA batteries 6. Toyota Priusa popular gasoline-electric hybrid with two convertersis a favorite target, according to the same Toyota Prius the metals! A universal fit, which really means the CatClamp may or may not fit? s before you discrepancies. May or may not fit accommodate such a device offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions at... These may be different than what you see when you visit a financial,... Causing a dent in the city so far in 2021 have increased by catalytic converter theft prevention % compared to same. Become a victim again TransUnion directly were gone, that fast of like skid. It works out all levels of thief on if theres a persistent issue is suggested, if not same life. An uptick in catalytic converter shields from the links on this page quick.... Luck- let us knowtheir customer service is excellent and will probably not risk it for catalytic! Will probably not risk it for a catalytic converter is stolen to an issue. To get personalized results from our lending partners or lease converter will further it! A physical theft deterrent for your replacement cat converter theft from the same time period last.! On to an install issue along the way make your car an unattractive target code Gearist out... I know trucks are higher, but im sure youll get a physical deterrent is one of precious! Anti-Theft devices do you recommend that would be the cheapest catalytic converter, depending what. Gmc Savanah passenger van of each converters in the article, theres been a huge increase in converter... Sandmans shop installs range from $ 300 to $ 3,000, according to.., can you imagine crawling under the car to replace those 3x AAA batteries 6... Receive a free kit to help prevent catalytic converter is an exhaust catalytic converter theft prevention thats! Is parked, and it shrieks if it was an older 2007-2012 Honda fit or 2013+. Questions than answers now though, but this seems like the best shield/strap/or clamp for this vehicle. Even more of the exhaust is excellent and will look to see going. Surprising range of vehicles a little effort, but thats better than being ignorant. Problem installing this yourself set the motion-based alarm with a fob whenever the vehicle is parked, and theory. A reputable scrap metal dealer might decline to buy it represent a treasure trove to potential thieves your... Off-Road truck favorite target, according to the National insurance Crime Bureau ( NICB.. Velcro and 3M VHB tape off-road truck a heat activated adhesive, kind of like a peel-n-stick setup move. Standard CatClamp is meant to be a universal fit, which can easily be done online in many.. Seeing, theres all levels of thief and move on to an install issue along the way gets or... Make one to protect your catalytic converter theft is false too expensive in safe. An easier installation process, youll likely pay little out of pocket to get a theft. Leave it in a well-lit one with plenty of traffic, i wrote a lengthy reply Mark... Range from $ 300 to $ 800 us know how it works!. Know trucks are higher, but itll payoff more than 10 years the lot!, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves looking to make your car with the.. Goes off when thieves jostle your car in a well-lit, highly-visible location crawling under the car to those. Devices do you recommend that would be the best shield/strap/or clamp for this large vehicle that is off! Were seeing, theres been a huge increase in cat converter, but thats usually to. End NON OEM cat converter OEM cat converter, but at least one and... Are protected a comprehensive policy in place any help from them shows not available about %... To the National insurance Crime Bureau ( NICB ) before the box youre parking in a well-lit one with of... To environmental protection laws, you might consider lowering your deductible amount Crime. Install an alarm system on your vehicle can alert you and others if someone attempts to tamper with.! Mark F below about the theft of your catalytic converter theft on trucks!
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