The Orlando Police Department is warning residents to protect themselves against costly catalytic converter theft.
The cost to replace and install a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000, and while most comprehensive vehicle insurance may help cover a stolen part, the department is advising residents to take a few simple steps to minimize the risk of theft.
Those tips include knowing if a car is a target, as hybrids, SUVs, and trucks have more valuable and, generally, more easily removable catalytic converters. Officials recommend etching a license plate number or vin onto the converter to help alert a scrap dealer that it may be stolen.
Parking vehicles in well-lit areas close to public entrances, installing anti-theft devices, and installing motion-sensitive lights and cameras are additional steps that police recommend taking to reduce the chances of your vehicle being targeted.
“Understanding when your car might be a target for catalytic converter theft is the first key to preventing it,” reads a social media post from the Orlando Police Department.