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Thefts of catalytic converters keep surging. That's costing drivers and insurers.

Jun 2, 2023
As trace metals become more valuable, thefts keep climbing, causing headaches for drivers, mechanics and insurance companies.
A car mechanic installs a catalytic converter to control pollutants. Thefts mushroomed  between 2018 and 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
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The war in Ukraine could make stealing catalytic converters more lucrative for thieves

Mar 22, 2022
They're valuable in part because the palladium inside is expensive. And Russia provides much of the world's palladium.
"You can get anywhere from $60 to $100 in recycling a catalytic converter, but you end up costing the victim thousands of dollars in repairs," says Avo Bagramyan of Automotive in Los Angeles.
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