Guides
Catalytic converter theft and your insurance
Why thieves target catalytic converters, how comprehensive coverage pays for a stolen one, the deductible math, and how to make your car a harder target.
A stolen catalytic converter is covered only if you carry comprehensive coverage, the optional part of a policy that pays for theft, vandalism and other non-crash damage. Liability-only policies pay nothing. If you have comprehensive, the insurer pays to replace the converter and fix any damage the thief did cutting it out, minus your deductible. With a $1,000 deductible on an older car, the claim may not be worth filing.
Why converters get stolen
A catalytic converter is the part of the exhaust system that turns harmful engine gases into less harmful ones. It has been required on U.S. cars since 1975. Inside are platinum, palladium and rhodium, metals worth more by weight than gold. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says one can be removed in just a few minutes. Metal recyclers typically pay $50 to $250 per converter, and up to $800 for one removed from a hybrid.
The theft wave tracked metal prices. In its May 2023 report, NICB counted insurance claims for converter theft rising from 16,660 in 2020 to 64,701 in 2022. California and Texas together accounted for more than 32,000 of the 2022 thefts. NICB calls those claim counts a snapshot of an underreported crime, since owners without comprehensive coverage have no reason to file. That 2023 report is the most recent national count NICB has published that we could find. Treat the risk as local and dependent on metal prices rather than as a fixed national trend.
Trucks and SUVs with high ground clearance are easier to slide under. Hybrids are attractive because their converters are worth more. Cars parked on the street or in open lots overnight are the usual targets.
What insurance pays
| Your coverage | Converter stolen | Damage from the cut (pipes, sensors, wiring) | Rental car while it is fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability only | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Comprehensive | Covered, minus deductible | Covered as part of the same claim | Only with rental reimbursement |
The replacement will be priced by the insurer's estimate. Depending on your policy and state, it may be an aftermarket converter rather than an OEM part. Some states, California most notably, have strict emissions standards. A replacement there has to be a model approved for your vehicle, which can raise the cost and stretch the repair time.
A worked example
Say a thief takes the converter from your pickup and cuts through an oxygen sensor wire on the way out. The shop quotes $2,600 for a compliant converter, the sensor, welding and labor.
- With a $500 comprehensive deductible, you pay $500 and the insurer pays $2,100.
- With a $1,000 deductible, you pay $1,000 and the insurer pays $1,600.
- With liability only, you pay the full $2,600.
Comprehensive claims for theft generally carry less weight in pricing than an at-fault crash. They still go into your claims history and the CLUE report other insurers check. If the payout after your deductible is small, run the numbers with the Should I file a claim? calculator before filing. The should you file a claim or pay out of pocket? guide covers the trade-offs.
What to do if yours is stolen
The first sign is usually a deafening roar when you start the car. Then:
- Don't drive it far. An open exhaust can leak fumes into the cabin, and a hanging pipe or cut wire can do more damage. Have it towed if you can.
- File a police report. Most insurers want a report number for any theft claim, and police track the pattern.
- Photograph the underside and the cut marks before anything is moved.
- Call your insurer or start the claim in the app and ask whether you have rental reimbursement. Parts delays can keep the car off the road for days.
- Keep receipts for towing and any rental.
For a whole car stolen rather than a part, see what to do if your car is stolen.
How to make your car a harder target
NICB's suggestions are low-tech:
- Park in a garage, or in well-lit areas covered by cameras.
- Install an anti-theft device. Shields, cages and cables bolted over the converter make removal slow and noisy. Ask your insurer whether it gives an anti-theft device discount for one. Many discounts are aimed at alarms and tracking systems rather than converter shields, so do not assume.
- Etch your VIN on the converter. A marked converter is harder to sell and easier to trace. NICB has held VIN-etching events with muffler shops and dealers, and some shops add high-heat paint so marked converters stand out to recyclers.
States have also gone after the resale market. NICB tracked 163 catalytic converter bills across 37 states in 2022, with 31 enacted. Typical laws require sellers to prove ownership, require scrap buyers to keep records, and penalize buying converters without paperwork. Rules differ by state.
Should you add comprehensive for this?
If your car is older and you dropped comprehensive to save money, a converter theft shows what you gave up. Comprehensive on an older car is often inexpensive relative to the replacement cost of this one part. Price it at a $500 or $1,000 deductible and compare it with what a theft would cost you out of pocket. The deductible break-even calculator helps with the break-even math, and comprehensive coverage explained covers everything else the coverage pays for.
Key takeaways
- Only comprehensive coverage pays for a stolen catalytic converter. Liability-only policies pay nothing.
- NICB counted 64,701 converter theft claims in 2022, up from 16,660 in 2020, with California and Texas accounting for more than half.
- The claim includes the converter and the damage from cutting it out, minus your deductible. A rental is covered only with rental reimbursement.
- File a police report, photograph the damage, and weigh the payout against your deductible before claiming.
- Garage parking, a converter shield and VIN etching make theft harder and resale riskier for thieves.