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quoteThe theft of catalytic converters from motorhomes has become a large scale problem in the UK, and Caravan Guard have seen a dramatic rise in thefts during 2010 and 2011, with tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage caused each year.
We had a 550% increase in thefts during 2010 compared to 2009, and worryingly 2011 has started off even worse, with more thefts so far this year than during the whole of 2010.
It is said that motorhomes are being targeted due to their high ground clearance which makes it easier for thieves to get underneath and access the catalytic converter. Fiat and Peugeot based motorhomes seem to be the most targeted.
Thieves are targeting catalytic converters as they contain a small amount of precious metal.
The average cost of an insurance claim to replace a stolen catalytic converter on a motorhome last year stood at over £800. Such a claim could of course affect your no claims discount and almost certainly would affect your motorhome insurance renewal premium.
But there are ways that you can protect yourself, and keep your motorhome from being the next target for catalytic converter theft.
Claims Liaison manager Teresa Eastwood, has this advice
“We have come across a device called Cat Clamp. This device attaches around the catalytic converter and makes it extremely difficult for thieves to remove your catalytic converter. On top of that it does what all good security devices do; it acts as a big deterrent to any would be thieves. If your motorhome has one fitted then most thieves would be unlikely to take the time to try and break through the device.”
Teresa added,
“Our other suggestions for prevention of theft would include basic advice such as parking your motorhome in view of the general public by day and in well lit areas by night if at all possible when out and about. Likewise when your motorhome is not in use, investing in security lighting if you keep your motorhome at home or paying to store it in a high security storage site is advisable.”
Various regional police forces are organising events across the UK offering free security marking for catalytic converters. The unique marking then is registered to your motorhome’s registration details. Obviously the marking would not make it any more difficult to steal a catalytic converter but the hope is that it would devalue the catalytic converter to thieves and handlers of stolen goods and make them more difficult to sell on. Call your local police force’s non emergency helpline to ask for details of such events in your area.
For other ways to protect your motorhome from theft, please visit our motorhome security page.
The Cat Clamp device is available from http://www.catsafe.org.uk/ (see photos below of the device before fitting, and fitted to a catalytic converter)
Hi Tim,
we’ve not got those stats to hand (the claims team would need to run various reports to get them) I’m afraid.
regards,
Neil
Caravan Guard
I looked into a cat clamp for my Transit based motorhome some time ago and thought it was so expensive for what it was. On Cat Clamp web site in America it was a lot cheaper. Just think they could sell it for the same price as they do in America they would sell lots more in the UK.
Hi Neil,
Thanks for getting back to me, do you have any percentage increases/decreases since 2010?
Hi Tim,
the statistics are based on our own claims statistics and how they have increased in the last few years. So unfortuantely as previously mentioned I wouldn’t be able to provide the actual numbers, only percentages.
However the National Caravan Council (http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/) may be able to help you with some numbers which relate to the indsutry as a whole. I’d suggest dropping them an email or giving them a call, I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help.
regards,
Neil
Caravan Guard
I understand that The Freedom of Information act applies to public bodies, and that as a private limited company you are not legally obliged to share this information. However, could you tell me where you got the numbers from so I can obtain them myself? I am in the process of writing a blog on cat theft and some actual figures rather than percentages would quantify the problem. May thanks.
Would it not be better to stop scrapyards from accepting them altogether, and prosecute any that are caught with these in their possession. should you have to replace it due to it being faulty the CAT can only be disposed of by it being sent back as a part exchange item. if it is not worth money they are not going to steal it. This is an easy solution and does not cost us (The Motorists) any further costs.
I was interested at one time in the Cat Clamp and looked on the American site as well. As you might expect it was about half the price of one in the UK – decided that the UK version was just too much money what it was – Another alternative is to fit a motion alarm to the cat as part of the motorhome protection system.
Just to increase the competition can I suggest Armacat on http://www.van-locked.co.uk ? Made in Britain as well!
Good afternoon. My name is Kevin Heater from Fleet Talk Ltd who are behind the CatClamp. Firstly, thank you all for your comments and sharing your concerns. I wanted to give you information on how to contact me if you have any questions about the product. Email to [email protected].
A few people have been asking for discounted pricing on the product. We would like to offer all Caravan Guard policy holders a 10% discount on the product. Simply use the code CG10 when at the purchase stage and the discount will be applied.
John- thank you for providing the information and website for catguardian. Competition is great and keeps us on our toes, so thank you for sharing their product.
Barry- I have been advised by the OEM that these have been installed on Fiat Ducato’s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions. I will answer them as soon as I can for you. Thank you for the opportunity.
Kevin Heater
http://www.catsafe.org.uk
I’ve heard about a new website on http://www.catguardian.co.uk where the price is far less than at catclamp and it looks quite secure. What do you think? They supply for cars, vans and lorries, so I’m sure they’d be able to accommodate caravans also.
I have a coach built on a 2011 Fiat Ducato as well, any suggestions as to what catclamp will work?
Thanks
Brian, thanks for your comment.
The Freedom of Information act applies to public bodies. As a private limited company we are not legally obliged to share this information. However the reason we have chosen not to make this information readily available is because our competitors could use it to their advantage.
The biggest issue here is the alarming rate at which catalytic converter theft is increasing and we’re purely wanting to raise awareness amongst motorhome owners.
Neil, Caravan Guard
Ref Ians question on numbers stolen, Surely we are entitled to this figure under the freedom of information act. I believe under this act that if someone request the information in writing (as Ian did) he is entitle to information in the public interest.
Are the Motor caravan industry going to fit an anti theft device as standard from now on ? I know it won’t be a help to the older vehicles but the industry needs to be pro active regarding this problem.
I had exactly the same problem with my Renault Master AutoTrail. I had a CAT stolen in January (from a fully secure compound and purchased a CatClamp before I had the new CAT fitted. My Renault main dealer gave me the CatClamp back and said they it could not be fitted due to the design of the CAT and the room available. The CATClamp people were very good and gave a full refund but I was disappointed. I agree with the comment that Insurance companies should get some sort of scheme going. If they order hundreds there will surely be a discounted rate>
I bought a Cat-Clamp for our Coach built 2011 Fiat Ducato.
It was hard to fit on our gravel drive so took it to Fiat.
Fiat said they could not fit it as the cat is up behind the engine so was almost impossible to fit and it would invalidate any warranty if the cat failed.
I don’t know if this is correct or not.
Martin – I’ve been reliably informed by the people behind Cat Clamp that it will be obvious as soon as you start the engine that your catalytic converter has been removed. Without the catalytic converter and muffler attached your exhaust will create a very loud noise and lots of smoke. Our advice is not to move the motorhome at all if the catalytic converter has been removed and contact us ASAP.
Ian – The Cat Clamp standard costs around £199 and the Cat Clamp MAXX costs around £336. We are at present not affiliated to Cat Clamp in anyway, but recognise that it is the only device on the market at present that can protect your catalytic converter, which is why we have provided a link for customers to buy the device should they want to.
Mel – I’m afraid this is information that we unfortunately can’t divulge, but it is a significant enough number to make this an issue we feel needs addressing.
Thank you very much for your comments, if you have any further questions then please fire away, or drop us an email using our website contact form.
Neil, Caravan Guard
Hang some large barbed fishing hooks under the motorhome as close to the catalyst converter as possible. The person stealing will be moving fast and will not see the hooks until it’s too late.
I’d be grateful if you could please give the actual number of Cats stolen for 2009, 2010 and 2011 to date please, rather than just the percentage. Thanks.
I had mine nicked BD12 8ER, Wyke just outside Bradford! Scrap yard up the lane says a proper one off Peugot Boxer is worth £150, (new £905) but I managed to replace it with a cheaper alternative for £220 fitted and only worth £30 if nicked. So I hope they know the difference before cutting mine off again
How much is a Catclamp? If something similar could be supplied for £40-£50 would it not pay the insurance industry to offer them free to owners of vulnerable vehicles?
I have to say that insurers blaming high premiums on motorists, insured or not, is not the full story. Some years ago a repair to my son’s bike which someone ran over would have been £101 if settled immediately. However, insurer’s procrastination and apparent unwillingness to provide a courtesy bicycle led to an escalation of the bill to £243 to account for loss of earnings on his paper round and fees for costs in the small claims court.
Frightening, how do you know when it’s gone?