Car stereos and valuables left on display are no longer the only ‘hot property’ for thieves - now they want your catalytic converters too.

Yes Insurance has reported a large increase in the number of catalytic converter thefts which have led to car insurance claims. According to the insurer, converters are popular with thieves because they are so expensive and contain rare metals such as platinum which have rocketed in value recently. It is believed a new catalytic converter can typically be sold for around £1,000.

Owners of 4×4 vehicles have been warned to be particularly wary. They are considered ‘easy targets’ because it’s straightforward to access the exhaust system and there is no need to use a car jack.

If you fall victim to a catalytic converter theft you’ll need to inform your car insurance provider as soon as possible - but unfortunately making a claim may mean sacrificing your no-claims bonus.

As a result, drivers should take steps to avoid having their converters stolen in the first place. Generally, they are stolen during the night and motorists discover they are missing when they attempt to start the car in the morning. Consequently, the insurer advises drivers to keep their car in a garage overnight - if that’s not possible, at least park in a busy and well-lit area rather than in a secluded and dark back street. Parking in a garage at night should also lower your car insurance premiums.

In addition, added awareness is important to catch criminals in the act. Watch out for anyone doing work under a vehicle to ensure its just innocent repairs and look out for anyone loading converters into a van.

Remember any measures you take to protect your vehicle should help you secure cheap car insurance - so keep your car insurance provider informed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Gregory