Across Alberta, catalytic converter theft is on the rise. Why is this? There are three metals found inside that are quite valuable: platinum, rhodium, and palladium. As the prices of these metals continue to rise, so do the thefts.
A catalytic converter is part of an automobile's exhaust system, and reduces harmful emissions by changing the harmful compounds from the engine’s emissions into safe gases, like steam. They work to split up unsafe molecules in gases that cars produce before they are put back into the air. Catalytic converters are located on the underside of a vehicle, and look like a large metal box with two pipes coming out of it.
Tips for Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft
- Try to park in well lit areas and/or areas with security cameras to decrease likelihood of theft. If possible, park your vehicle in your garage, especially in the evenings.
- Install a vehicle alarm for additional protection against theft.
- You can engrave the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the converter. This may increase difficulty when trying to sell the part, and can make the converter easier to track down, should it get stolen.
- You may consider buying an aftermarket part (a replacement part not made by the original manufacturer) that can be installed and covers the converter. However, this may alter the coverage of your insured vehicle. Before making any major changes to your vehicle, we recommend discussing this with your broker.
Additional Resources
To learn more about catalytic converters, and catalytic converter theft, visit these links:
