Platinum and rhodium are two of the most valuable metals in the world, and most of us carry small amounts of them every day…in our vehicles. Catalytic converters, part of a system that cleans out pollutants from vehicle exhaust and prevents them from entering the atmosphere, contain trace amounts of these precious metals. Increasingly, thieves are motivated to steal catalytic converters so they can resell them on the black market. As the prices rise on these precious metals and automakers use more of them to comply with clean air regulations, so too does the rate of thefts.
Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise all over the country, including in Connecticut. According to a recent report by Connecticut News 8, police in Cheshire reported that catalytic converters were taken from vehicles in a parking lot at the town's high school, elementary school, and from two commercial parking lots. The robberies all happened during daylight hours and more of the same is being seen throughout the state.
“The Cheshire Police Department would like to remind everyone that if they see something suspicious, call the local Police Department to report it,” Cheshire Police said in a statement. “Through the vigilance of all, these perpetrators can be brought to justice.”
Unfortunately for victims of catalytic converter thefts, the repair bill can be high. Since thieves quickly cut the catalytic converter out of the car, they often do extensive damage to the vehicle’s body. So in addition to replacing the converter, vehicle owners are also on the hook for repair to the body of the car.
Insurance professionals recommend that vehicle owners take a number of steps that can help prevent the theft of their catalytic converter. For starters, it makes sense to etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter to make it easier for law enforcement to identify it. It also makes sense to park your vehicle in public and well-lit areas, which may discourage thieves. Finally, it may help to install an anti-theft device, particularly if you have a vehicle with larger amounts of precious metals, such as a hybrid/gas model. This precaution involves bolting a metal shield to the frame of the car to cover the catalytic converter, preventing thieves from stealing it. While there is an expense involved in the purchase of the device as well as the installation, it is significantly less than replacing the catalytic converter and repairing any damage to the body of the vehicle. Alternatively, do-it-yourselfers may have some luck in purchasing an anti-theft shield online and installing it themselves if they have the right tools and the know-how.
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