Recently, there has been a major increase in the theft of catalytic converters across Canada. A catalytic converter is a specific and valuable part of a vehicle’s exhaust system. They are typically made from layers of precious metals designed to reduce many of the toxic emissions created by a vehicle’s engine. This car exhaust component can be made up of precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which makes this part very appealing to steal and resell for a high value.
How catalytic converters are stolen
Using power tools, catalytic converters can be stolen from beneath a vehicle in a matter of minutes. Trucks and SUVs have been highly targeted over other vehicles, as they sit higher off the ground. This makes it easier for would-be criminals to get underneath and access the undercarriage of the vehicle. Most of these parts are unmarked, which makes them harder to trace to an individual vehicle. These valuable parts can be stolen for their resale value or sold to scrap yards and recycling facilities for the metals they contain.
Business owners who own vehicles for commercial use can suffer not only losses to their vehicles, but also losses due to vandalism and property damage from these catalytic converter thefts. This is why it is super important for proper protection to be put in place.
Tips for preventing your catalytic converters from being stolen
To make the vehicles in your business’ possession a harder target for catalytic converter thieves, here are eight best practices for you to consider:
- Park all of your vehicles within a fenced compound whenever possible. When a fenced area is not available or feasible, parking cars in well-lit areas can act as a deterrent.
- Park your vehicles in a way that makes it harder to access their underside, such as against a wall or by other lower vehicles.
- Consider hiring a mechanic to etch an identification number into the device as a deterrent, which can make it harder for thieves to sell stolen converters to some scrap yards. This can also assist authorities in tracking the catalytic converter.
- Increase security around your building by doing the following:
- Install barbed wire protection along all fences.
- Install video surveillance cameras around the interior and exterior of your business. Adding signage indicating your lot is protected with video surveillance can stop break-ins before they happen.
- Add motion sensor lights to poorly lit areas.
- Consider investing in loud audible alarms, as these can be designed to alert police or monitoring companies when fences are cut, windows are broken, or access to the building is breached.
- Install beam security for long sections of fenced compounds. When the beam is interrupted, an alarm is triggered.
- Use 24-hour monitoring stations. Having your burglar system monitored notifies a third party when an alarm is tripped, who in turn notifies local authorities of the security breach.
- Report any suspicious activity to your local authorities.
- Work with other local businesses who may be experiencing similar issues. Having a community approach to theft prevention can cause potential thieves to move on to easier targets.
- Where possible, have catalytic converters welded to the frame of the vehicle to make removal difficult.
Protect yourself and your business with insurance
While theft prevention should be a top priority for your business, it’s also vital that you protect yourself with insurance. Preventative measures can help reduce crime, but things can still go wrong. Without the right coverage, you may have to cover all the costs if you’re a victim of theft. Learn more by visiting our Business Insurance page today.
This blog is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on the information. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply to coverage. See policy for details.
