IAL Insurance

09/20/2025

Where does your insurance carrier rank on this list?

07/26/2025

Most common items that catch fire while charging: (List below)

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1. Power Tools (Drills, Saws, Lawn Equipment)
• Examples: Drill batteries from Home Depot (Ryobi, DeWalt, Milwaukee), battery-powered lawn mowers, string trimmers.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Heavy-duty lithium-ion packs generate significant heat.
• Off-brand replacement batteries or chargers (often bought online) lack proper overcharge protection.
• Batteries stored in garages can be damaged by heat or moisture before charging.

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2. E-Bikes, Scooters & Hoverboards
• Examples: Hoverboards, electric scooters, e-bikes, especially cheap imports.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Many budget models (particularly from China or no-name brands on Amazon/Alibaba) use low-quality cells.
• Lack of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification.
• Overcharging or using the wrong voltage charger can trigger thermal runaway.
• Note: Fire departments have flagged e-bike and scooter battery fires as among the most explosive and fastest-spreading residential fires.

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3. RC Drones & Model Aircraft
• Examples: DJI drones, racing drones with LiPo (Lithium-Polymer) batteries.
• Why Fires Happen:
• LiPo batteries are more unstable than standard Li-ion cells.
• They can swell, leak, and ignite if punctured or charged incorrectly.
• Hobbyists often “fast-charge” for convenience, increasing risks.

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4. Personal Electronics
• Examples: Smartphones, laptops, tablets, power banks.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Rare for brand-name devices (Apple, Samsung, Dell) but common with counterfeit or cheap chargers.
• Off-brand power banks are a significant fire source because of poorly regulated cells.

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5. Children’s Toys with Rechargeable Batteries
• Examples: Ride-on cars, remote-control cars, LED scooters.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Low-cost toys often have unprotected battery packs.
• Parents may leave them charging overnight, sometimes in bedrooms.

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6. V**e Devices & E-Cigarettes
• Examples: V**e pens, large “mod” vapes.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Small cylindrical batteries (18650 cells) can vent or explode if overcharged or damaged.
• Many users swap batteries or use non-standard chargers.

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7. Home Energy Storage & Solar Battery Packs
• Examples: Tesla Powerwall, off-brand home battery systems.
• Why Fires Happen:
• Far less common, but when they fail, fires are catastrophic.
• Typically caused by installation issues or defective battery management systems.

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Key Takeaway for Insurance & Risk Mitigation
• High-Risk: Hoverboards, e-bikes, scooters, drones, and cheap tool batteries.
• Moderate Risk: Power tools, kids’ ride-on toys.
• Low (but not zero) Risk: Phones, laptops—when using certified chargers.

07/26/2025

Good rule … do NOT leave lithium batteries charging unattended. Use a LiPo-safe charging bag or fireproof container for extra protection.

06/11/2025

Half of Small Business Injuries Could Have Been Prevented

42% of business owners say employee resistance is barrier to adopting new safety measures.

06/11/2025

75% of Small Businesses Experienced Workplace Injuries in 2024

While injury-related expenses cost small businesses more than $20,000 in 2024, half of these injuries were reported as being preventable, according to Pie Insurance.

05/05/2025

An ERIE agent can help.

05/04/2025

Bundle & Save

04/16/2025

Learn more today.

04/04/2025

With ERIE's Extended Water coverage, you can get the peace of mind offered by Sewer or Drain Backup and Flood coverage.

If it can rain or snow, it can flood. Learn more about how to protect your home and personal belongings with ERIE's Extended Water Coverage.