Catalytic converters, part of a car's exhaust system, resemble small mufflers; they scrub toxic gases and pollutants from an engine's exhaust. Valuable metals—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—inside the converters reduce harmful emissions via chemical reactions.

Increased demand has sent prices for these metals soaring. A thief can slither under a vehicle and unbolt or saw off a converter in just minutes.

Replacing a converter isn't cheap, running anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Pickups and SUVs are popular targets because they sit higher off the ground, making it easier for a thief to get to the converter.

Fortunately, catalytic converter theft has declined recently, perhaps because of the preventive measures shared below, but catalytic converters are stolen from anywhere cars are parked, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Car owners can discourage thieves with a few security tips:

• When possible, park your car in a garage instead of leaving it in a driveway.
• If you have a carport or parking space at home, install motion-detector security lights to discourage thieves.
• During the day, at work or away from home, park where there's foot and vehicle traffic rather than in isolated areas, making anyone who might be targeting your car more likely to be seen.
• Buy a converter protection device; you can find an extensive selection online. For many vehicles, metal shops can bend and weld rebar to form a cage around the converter. These devices function as deterrents, but don't guarantee theft prevention.

Keep your car protected with insurance you can count on from a name you trust. Get a quote from AAA Insurance today. 

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