1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

stolen catalytic converter & aftermarket replacement through insurance- some takeaways

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by rm04, Apr 12, 2021.

  1. wasambi

    wasambi New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2020
    15
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Jose
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I did a good amount of digging for anti-theft devices and went with the MillerCAT and tilt sensor alarm as well! My neighborhood got hit a couple times ever since I got mine installed (via Next-door) and my Prius survived the onslaught every time. It seems like they go for easy targets and an alarm definitely helps to bring attention to the thief. At the time, MillerCAT only had aluminum cat shields but they expanded their offering to include steel. I would have gone with that but the aluminum one is still doing me good!
     
  2. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2010
    326
    169
    3
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Glad to hear -- I also have the Millercat shield and a tilt sensor, and so far it's been good. Hope it stays that way. :cautious:
     
  3. tashaviaf

    tashaviaf New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2021
    19
    8
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Welp.
    It only took six days for my original catalytic converter to be stolen off my just-bought-last-week 2008, 2nd Gen Prius (AKA the most sought-after one on the market right now with the highest value), right on the corner with security cameras, in a "good" neighborhood (Williamsburg BK).

    I'm in NYC. Any suggestions? Is it safe to drive or should I have it towed? I haven't spoken to Geico yet to see if this is covered but I do have comp/collision.... hopefully this will be covered? (I just paid $5k for this vehicle since it was already converted to a camper and I plan to live out of it). It has 206k miles so I'm comforting myself by saying that the catalytic probably needed replaced soon anyway, I do not know. Argh.

    I didn't even get a chance to make a happy post about my new (to me) car to share with ya'll :(
     
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,485
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It is probably safe to drive.
    Make sure that the wires for the o2 sensor aren't shorted or grounded (a little black tape on each will do) and then you can drive it just fine at least far enough to get it repaired...
    Good Luck!

     
    tashaviaf likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Take the “?” off that; it better be covered. How much is your deductible?
     
  6. tashaviaf

    tashaviaf New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2021
    19
    8
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thankfully I only have a $100 deductible, however I'm thinking it might not be worth it to make a claim and have my already-expensive-AF-NewYork rates go up since it appears I should be able to put a cheaper aftermarket on it (bc NY is a CARB state but for 2009 and newer, mine is a 2008). Calling around shops now, so exhausting.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Here's what's involved.



    Here's a good inexpensive one.

     
    tashaviaf likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Ask them. If for example, your premiums go up by the price of OEM Cat, there is something wrong with this picture.
     
    douglasjre and tashaviaf like this.
  9. tashaviaf

    tashaviaf New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2021
    19
    8
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Just to update you/all, I spoke with my insurance (Geico) who said it WOULD be covered, AND there is no immediate rate increase/surcharge because obvs I wasn't "at fault". However, every 6 months they review policies and while they can't assure me that this wouldn't factor in to their decision on rate increase/decrease, I am gonna go through them anyway because it is gonna be much cheaper than paying out of pocket right now.

    The only "issue" if you can call it that, is that they replace with OEM or comparable parts, which means I'll be right back to square one at risk, ugh... but of course I am expediting all of the measures I've been wanting to take anyway (just literally didn't have time since I've had the car here for less than a damn week). So... parking garage, cat shield ordered, yadda yadda.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah right after the replacement (or in conjunction) would be prudent time for shield install, especially in your ‘hood.
     
    tashaviaf likes this.
  11. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Don't worry it will. Insurance companies never lose money
     
    Georgina Rudkus and Mendel Leisk like this.
  12. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Insurance companies are not charities. They will raise rates for those who make too many claims, even with comprehensives.

    High risk individuals, who refuse health care protective measures, will either pay higher rates or even be refused. If the law does not allow refusal, the rate will be accordingly sky high.

    Even for life insurance, refusal to take health protective measures, may even be classified as an escape clause and refusal of a claim like the clauses as due to war.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think too, if lots insurance-up, and make prompt/frequent claims for cat theft, the crime may get more attention: the clamour from insurance companies would carry more weight?
     
    Georgina Rudkus likes this.
  14. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    1,708
    823
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    One would only hope so.
     
  15. Boojoo007

    Boojoo007 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2012
    64
    6
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Looking to get a tilt sensor + alarm + shield for my Prius C 2011. Any idea where I can look to get one installed?
     
  16. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Motorcycle alarm. Some have remotes that alarm if moved
     
    Boojoo007 and PriusCamper like this.
  17. RT6

    RT6 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2022
    12
    3
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Had our CC stolen recently. Why do you prefer the Magnaflow over the Walker? It's twice as much, so I don't want to spend the money unless it's for a good reason. Thanks.
     
  18. rm04

    rm04 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2021
    53
    27
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Well from what I've read the Magnaflow are just better quality but it seems that a popular choice amongst people here is to just go all the way cheap with a $150 cat off Amazon

    The Walker I have has held up for a year so far with no check engine lights on
     
    RT6 likes this.
  19. RT6

    RT6 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2022
    12
    3
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yeah, after consulting with one forum member in particular, who has put in over a dozen or so cc's, I went with his recommendation, which is SKU:TSCCCC-0012-yita, on yitamotor.com. He said it's the only cheap one he's found where all the parts fit correctly with no issues, except that you need to buy a 1.l75" clamp because their 2" clamp is too big.
     
  20. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,775
    4,372
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I just went and looked at their offerings... Seems they don't provide the plumbing between both cats and that's going to be way more work, as well as way more potential areas that could leak if you didn't' connect them right?

    The best low price aftermarket cat we agree on here at PriusChat is this one: Catalytic Converter For 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Toyota Prius 1.5L EPA OBD2 | eBay

    Screenshot from 2022-05-04 17-20-24.png