Hybrid Catalytic Converter Theft

[MakinDoForNow]

As I/we divert this catalytic converter thread further off course, here's something to consider:

I used to sell auto/home insurance in the 1970s/80s. Back then your premium was based on type of vehicle, driving record, distance to work, home location, multi-car discount, etc, etc. Lower deductible amounts and higher amounts of liability insurance also raised your bill.

But now in many states the insurance companies also pull a credit check on you, and a lower score can also increase your overall amount. I still don't understand how the companies correlate your credit score to your chance of making a claim, but its in their calculations.

Low credit score indicates higher probability in becoming involved in insurance fraud.

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[technolithic]

Catalytic converters are extremely low risk targets for thieves. I live in DC where there’s a cop on every corner and all felonies are prosecuted in the notoriously harsh federal system, and guess what? It still happens. It only takes a team a few minutes to get it out.

It boils down to the material conditions. As long as the internals are high value, and there are companies willing to buy them from random dudes, it will be a problem.

 

[My1stFord]

Any insurance claim will end up raising your rates, and most of us have deductibles (mine is $1000). Regarding "extremely unlikely", again that will depend on where you live. Houston has a huge issue with activist judges, district attorney, mayor, and some say now even the new police chief that are SUPER soft on crime so crime is rapidly increasing (recently gave an armed robber deferred adjudication who only days later got in a shootout with police in another armed robbery), and we've seen a 400% increase in catalytic converter thefts since just last year.

Houston has 1.3 million cars with 300 thefts pretty month. That's a 0.02% chance per month. Not that it's nothing but not enough for me to freak out over. Does a hybrid truck increase those chances? Perhaps the areas you frequent?

 

[Sjbuck2021]

You could just choose not to stress over events that are extremely unlikely to happen to you - and that you're insured for if it does.

I had one stolen off my last f150. Had it fixed but truck never seemed the same.

 

[Sjbuck2021]

Thieves target commuter lots. Don't use them if you can help it.

 

[technolithic]

Houston has 1.3 million cars with 300 thefts pretty month. That's a 0.02% chance per month. Not that it's nothing but not enough for me to freak out over. Does a hybrid truck increase those chances? Perhaps the areas you frequent?

According to Facebook and local news inner cities are completely lawless and engulfed in flames at all times

 

[JASmith]

According to Facebook and local news inner cities are completely lawless and engulfed in flames at all times

I dunno, I think they downplay the "fiery yet mostly peaceful" crime if anything, heh! Its only when you subscribe to some of the police feeds you hear about how bad it really is, with a 74% increase in homicides in Houston from that of 2019. Heck, didn't even hear anything about the fact that they have dozens of truly gigantic neon orange signs that says prostitution is a felony until we drove past a few even right by the elementary school when picking up some Papas BBQ, while a bunch of streetwalkers were walking right past them and we were practically the only truck in the area that had a legit license plate with some cars having no plates and most having those fake paper ones.

But even here in my Sugar Land Costco up the street, supposed to be the safest area in Houston, caught the usual fake paper plate thieves smash&grabbing in the parking lot, but hopefully with more people getting park-capable dash cams we can nab the catalytic converter and smash thieves:


Probably just as worthwhile a discussion as installing shields under the cat.

 

[MLowe05]

I had one stolen off my last f150. Had it fixed but truck never seemed the same.

In what way? I hear a lot of people say this about anything that happens to a car requiring a repair. I think most of it is emotional.

I hit a deer with my E-class and did $16,000 worth of damage to it, which was repaired. Car seemed exactly the same as before.

 

[technolithic]

I dunno, I think they downplay the "fiery yet mostly peaceful" crime if anything, heh! Its only when you subscribe to some of the police feeds you hear about how bad it really is, with a 74% increase in homicides in Houston from that of 2019.

Lol if you say so. From my vantage point all I see are apocalyptic reports of lawlessness. Feeding into the paranoia of suburbanites is big business.

Have the authorities in Texas considered arming vehicles? That seems to be their first solution to every social problem

 

[JASmith]

Lol if you say so. From my vantage point all I see are apocalyptic reports of lawlessness. Feeding into the paranoia of suburbanites is big business.

Have the authorities in Texas considered arming vehicles? That seems to be their first solution to every social problem

Well, yeah, with your head in the sand, that is a difficult vantage point to get the big picture.

And I'm guessing you haven't been in TX 2.0 in a while, the authorities only arm the criminals now after emptying all our prisons.

 

[Old Ranchero]

Lol if you say so. From my vantage point all I see are apocalyptic reports of lawlessness. Feeding into the paranoia of suburbanites is big business.

Have the authorities in Texas considered arming vehicles? That seems to be their first solution to every social problem

time for a come-back of personal Urban Assault Vehicles!

 

[Old Ranchero]

In what way? I hear a lot of people say this about anything that happens to a car requiring a repair. I think most of it is emotional.

I hit a deer with my E-class and did $16,000 worth of damage to it, which was repaired. Car seemed exactly the same as before.

did the deer have insurance?

 

[Old Ranchero]

Thieves target commuter lots. Don't use them if you can help it.

found that out 1st hand back in 1984 when I parked my 1975 Mustang ll in a park and ride to carpool with friends for an evening outing. Came back and found my brand new stereo and EQ ripped out.

 

[Sjbuck2021]

In what way? I hear a lot of people say this about anything that happens to a car requiring a repair. I think most of it is emotional.

I hit a deer with my E-class and did $16,000 worth of damage to it, which was repaired. Car seemed exactly the same as before.

I think maybe it was because of an aftermarket cat welded on.

 

[JASmith]

A coworker asked me today if I knew of any reputable shops in the area, and sure enough its for his catalytic converter just being stolen from his Mitsubishi SUV. I heard it in the garage after work, sounds like those 90s ricers with no cat. Not that its an exciting story, but the timing of it is freaky! Goes to show its not as uncommon as some think.

Here's a video from just a couple weeks back, shows how fast they can yank them too, and for this poor guy they even stole the replacement catalytic converters... oof:


They offer some other tips:

I wonder if its legal to make non-lethal booby traps. Like have a chain jb-welded to the top of the cat so when you remove it, it pops a glitter bomb, air horn, and pepper spray.

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