Tweet
We (Mrs. TGK & I) came back from work (my year-round job), went to her Highlander. When I started the engine, we both knew something was seriously amiss. This SUV sounded more like a sports car
--the noise actually drowned out the radio and the car rattled when I accelerated
.
As we would be passing a Toyota dealer (the same one where we bought that vehicle, come to think of it), I pulled up to the service area. A technician met me and when I described the problem. We turned on the engine again. He asked if I had parked at a train station. When I replied yes, he looked at the undercarriage.
The problem: The catalytic converter was stolen. OMG!
The tech told me that he had a vehicle in for the same problem and asked if I had comprehensive coverage on that vehicle. When I replied in the affirmative, the service manager suggested that I report this to the police and file a claim as they charge $2100
for this type of repair. With the insurance, it would only be the deductible ($250 out of pocket, in this case
).
Well we went to the police next and had to wait since we arrived at the top of the hour (shift change
). When the officer finally took our report, he explained that the recent rise in precious metals, including platinum, has made that more lucrative--the thieves can get as much as $300 for the scrap in the converter.
With the report, I filed the claim and this sort of report was not a surprise to the claims adjusted or body shop manager (referred by the insurance--they do good work).
Warning to my fellow CSer's:
If you drive a pickup or SUV consider a lock for your catalytic converter. I just ordered a CatClamp. Everyone verify that you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle.
Warn your friends about this nonsense!
--the noise actually drowned out the radio and the car rattled when I accelerated.As we would be passing a Toyota dealer (the same one where we bought that vehicle, come to think of it), I pulled up to the service area. A technician met me and when I described the problem. We turned on the engine again. He asked if I had parked at a train station. When I replied yes, he looked at the undercarriage.
The problem: The catalytic converter was stolen. OMG!
The tech told me that he had a vehicle in for the same problem and asked if I had comprehensive coverage on that vehicle. When I replied in the affirmative, the service manager suggested that I report this to the police and file a claim as they charge $2100
for this type of repair. With the insurance, it would only be the deductible ($250 out of pocket, in this case).Well we went to the police next and had to wait since we arrived at the top of the hour (shift change
). When the officer finally took our report, he explained that the recent rise in precious metals, including platinum, has made that more lucrative--the thieves can get as much as $300 for the scrap in the converter.With the report, I filed the claim and this sort of report was not a surprise to the claims adjusted or body shop manager (referred by the insurance--they do good work).
Warning to my fellow CSer's:
If you drive a pickup or SUV consider a lock for your catalytic converter. I just ordered a CatClamp. Everyone verify that you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle.
Warn your friends about this nonsense!
I hope you get extricated from this crapola. 
Comment