{"id":407392,"date":"2022-10-28T11:01:04","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T15:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.automoblog.com\/?p=407392"},"modified":"2023-11-30T17:07:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T22:07:14","slug":"catalytic-converter-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.automoblog.com\/catalytic-converter-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Catalytic Converter Theft: What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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If a dramatic spike in Google searches are any indication, catalytic converter theft has become a hot topic in recent years. The average number of searches each year for \u201ccatalytic converter theft\u201d jumped 3,544% from 2018 to 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we explore why interest in catalytic converter theft has spiked recently, using statistical data to analyze the issue. We also dive into some of the reasons why people steal catalytic converters, how to prevent the theft of a catalytic converter from your vehicle, and what to do if your catalytic converter is stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catalytic Converter Theft Is On the Rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Theft of catalytic converters has increased dramatically over the past several years, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). A recent report from the NICB<\/a> says that drivers filed 1,298 claims for catalytic converter theft in 2018. That number more than doubled in 2019, with 3,389 such claims filed. Insurers saw that number skyrocket in 2020, when drivers filed 14,433 catalytic converter theft claims \u2013 a roughly 325% increase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some Areas See More Catalytic Converter Theft Than Others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While thefts are on the rise nationwide, some areas have seen a bigger uptick than others. The website BeenVerified used a combination of NICB data and Google search trends to analyze which areas of the country are catalytic converter theft hotspots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States With the Highest Rates of Catalytic Converter Theft<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to BeenVerified, these states saw the highest number of catalytic converter thefts in the first half of 2022:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rank<\/strong><\/th>State<\/strong><\/th>Catalytic Converter Thefts Per 100,000 Registered Vehicles<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1<\/td>Hawaii<\/td>87<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>Texas<\/td>85<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Connecticut<\/td>84<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>Washington<\/td>81<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Colorado<\/td>76<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Minnesota<\/td>64<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>Indiana<\/td>63<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>Oregon<\/td>60<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/td>California<\/td>59<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/td>Arizona<\/td>52<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

States With the Largest Increase in Catalytic Converter Theft<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to the company\u2019s report, these states saw the largest increases in catalytic converter theft between 2021 and 2022:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State<\/strong><\/th>2022 Catalytic Converter Thefts<\/strong><\/th>Percentage Increase: 2021-2022<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Indiana<\/td>1,402<\/td>199.7%<\/td><\/tr>
Connecticut<\/td>1,052<\/td>195.7%<\/td><\/tr>
New York<\/td>2,215<\/td>121.9%<\/td><\/tr>
Rhode Island<\/td>179<\/td>121.2%<\/td><\/tr>
Pennsylvania<\/td>1,619<\/td>118.6%<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia<\/td>1,080<\/td>118.5%<\/td><\/tr>
Idaho<\/td>191<\/td>112.6%<\/td><\/tr>
New Jersey<\/td>1,171<\/td>109.7%<\/td><\/tr>
Delaware<\/td>130<\/td>106.5%<\/td><\/tr>
Massachusetts<\/td>771<\/td>91.4%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
*Comparison numbers based on January – July of 2021 vs. 2022, using NICB data and Google search trends and adjusted for seasonality.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Which Cars Are More Likely To Have Their Catalytic Converter Stolen?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certain makes and models of vehicles have their catalytic converters stolen more often than others. This is due to factors such as the prevalence of those makes and models in a given area and how easy their catalytic converters are to access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Targeted Cars for Catalytic Converter Theft <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The vehicle data and auto research company CARFAX used records from 60,000 service shops to identify which vehicles have their catalytic converters stolen more often than others. In September, the company released a report that identified the following as the vehicles most often targeted for catalytic converter theft at the national level:<\/p>\n\n\n\n