How to Prevent Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Theft
If you drive a Toyota Prius, it’s a good idea to invest in comprehensive car insurance coverage to protect your wallet from catalytic converter theft.
Written by Liz Jenson
Reviewed by Pat Roache
Unfortunately, the Toyota Prius is a major target for catalytic converter thieves, since the hybrid engine means that the converter contains even more precious metals than normal.
Whether you’re concerned about a catalytic converter-related
car theft
or have discovered that yours is missing, we’ve got your back. Together, we’ll look at strategies for preventing catalytic converter theft, what to do if yours was stolen, and what type of car insurance
you need to cover it!Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIs it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius?
You might think that your
Toyota hybrid
is safe from catalytic converter theft but, unfortunately, thieves are still likely to target a catalytic converter from your Toyota Prius. While hybrid cars are partially electric, they are also partially powered by gasoline, meaning that they still need an exhaust purification system to pass emissions testing. This system includes your catalytic converter, a notoriously expensive piece of equipment that is often targeted by thieves.
Top Toyota Prius years that catalytic converter thieves target
The most commonly targeted Toyota Prius models are those from 2004 through 2009, i.e. the second-generation Prius. These models are over 40 times more likely to experience some type of theft than other Priuses, and thieves typically target the catalytic converter specifically.
These Prius models were a hot commodity at the time of their release, so it makes sense that thieves would recognize and target these vehicles for catalytic converter theft.
Why are Toyota Prius catalytic converters stolen?
Because your Prius has a hybrid engine, it contains even more precious metals than a standard car engine. These precious metals might include platinum, rhodium, palladium, and more.
When thieves steal a catalytic converter from a
Ford F-150
, for example, they might be looking at a payout of about $150. If that same thief steals a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius, however, they could get as much as $1,000 for that single part alone. Toyota Prius catalytic converter replacement cost
On average, replacing the catalytic converter in a Toyota Prius will cost you between $2,124 and $2,151. Labor costs make up just $87 to $110 of that cost, whereas the catalytic converter itself will cost you $2014 to $2064. That’s one expensive car part!
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Prius
Since getting a replacement part is so expensive, it makes sense that you’d like to do everything you can to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to protect your car—and your wallet—from catalytic converter thieves.
Park in a secure area
The best way to prevent people from stealing your catalytic converter is to keep your car in a locked personal garage. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone! When you can, park your vehicle in a well-lit area with video surveillance. This will discourage thieves and keep your vehicle safe.
If you have to park on the street, try to stick to busier areas to make sure there are other people around your car when possible. This will make it more difficult for thieves to target your vehicle without being spotted.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Anti-theft devices like catalytic converter shields are a great way to prevent catalytic converter theft. These devices are usually either an aluminum plate or cage that covers your catalytic converter.
These products are designed to be installed at home, so this is a great project for you and your vehicle. You can find catalytic converter shields at most auto body shops, or online if you’d prefer to shop from home!
It’s also worth mentioning that, if you install one of these devices, your insurance may even give you a discounted rate on your
comprehensive insurance
as a result.Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Catalytic converters tagged with your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) won’t be sellable on the black market, so etching your VIN into your Prius’s catalytic converter is a great way to discourage thieves.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular catalytic converter etching events, so finding one of these events in your area is a great way to get this service done. Otherwise, you can bring your Prius to a muffler shop to get your VIN etched on.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
While comprehensive insurance won’t actually prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, it will undoubtedly protect your wallet.
Unless you spring for this type of coverage, you won’t be able to submit a claim for catalytic converter theft, which means that the replacement cost will be out of pocket. A
full-coverage insurance policy
will ensure that your Prius is protected in the event of a catalytic converter theft.What to do if your Toyota Prius’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you realize that your catalytic converter has been stolen, the first step is to contact the authorities. They may be able to use security footage to locate your catalytic converter, depending on where your vehicle was parked when the theft occurred.
Even if you’re not able to locate your catalytic converter this way, though, you’ll need a police report on file when you contact your car insurance company. If you have comprehensive car insurance coverage, you’ll be able to
file a car insurance claim
to help with the cost of a replacement part. This could potentially save you over a thousand dollars!Once you’ve talked to your insurance company, a representative will work with you to help you schedule vehicle repairs. You’ll need to meet your
comprehensive deductible
, then your insurance will cover the rest.If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, however, you’ll have to find a mechanic and pay for a replacement on your own. In these cases, it’s best to try to find a mechanic who uses aftermarket parts, as this can make the replacement a little less expensive.
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Can you drive a Toyota Prius without a catalytic converter?
In the meantime, you can still drive your car! However, it’s important to note that your vehicle’s overall performance will suffer after the loss of your catalytic converter, and your Prius won’t be able to pass any emissions tests without this part in place.
As such, driving around without a catalytic converter is not a long-term solution to this problem. It’s best to get this issue fixed as soon as you can to keep your car’s engine running smoothly.
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