Rising Gas Prices Are Driving an Increase in Fuel Theft
An increase in gas prices has led to a rash of fuel thefts from vehicles. How can you prevent it?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
And it can especially be a
pain in the wallet
when the national average price per gallon is currently sitting at around $4.27 for regular and nearly $5 per gallon for premium.But that increase in gas prices is causing a rash of fuel thefts across North America, according to law enforcement agencies.
Gas thieves are causing expensive damage
While the price of gas has fallen a bit since it hit its peak of $4.33 last week, gas prices haven’t been this high in general since the summer 2008, when the price per gallon peaked at $4.11 before falling off to under $2 per gallon by that December.
Kelley Blue Book
reported that thieves are stealing fuel from parked vehicles, and not just siphoning it. As one RCMP constable noted, some thieves are committing some pretty egregious property damage by drilling holes into the gas tank to collect gasoline. This leads to some pretty costly repairs, with the average cost of fuel tank replacement hovering between $1,200 and $1,400.
Other departments are warning that thieves are crawling under large vehicles to cut the rubber filler neck leading to the tank to siphon out the fuel.
If gas prices continue to rise, KBB writes, gas theft is likely to become even more common.
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Protect yourself from gas theft
But there are ways to make yourself less likely to be victimized by fuel theft, which mirrors the preventative measures taken by car owners from the string of catalytic converter thefts in recent years.
KBB recommends parking your vehicle indoors, or in a well-lit area if indoors isn’t an option. It also recommends avoiding parking in one spot for a long period of time, such as catching a cab to the airport rather than leaving your vehicle parked in the long-term airport parking lot unattended.
If you must park on the street, KBB recommends positioning your car so that the fuel door faces the road. The more exposed your vehicle is to passers-by, the less likely it is that thieves will target it.
Finally, KBB recommends investing in a locking gas cap. Much like how locking your car doors prevents would-be thieves from casually reaching, a locking gas gap keeps those who would siphon your gas from gaining access.
You could also consider making your next vehicle purchase an EV. No gas means no gas theft, and the price at the pump is already influencing new car buyers to consider going electric.
Make sure you’re covered
Of course, if more intrepid thieves bring something to cut your fuel line or puncture a hole in your gas tank, a locking gas cap won’t do much to prevent permanent damage to your vehicle.
If your vehicle is vandalized by one of these fuel bandits, your insurance may cover the repair so long as you have comprehensive coverage—and Jerry can help find that coverage for you.
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