Grant & Cohodes Insurance

09/08/2022

Catalytic Converter Thefts
By admin | September 6, 2022
Catalytic Converter

It takes less than two minutes for a thief with a reciprocating saw to crawl under your vehicle and make the two or three cuts required to steal your catalytic converter. Less than two minutes time to take a part they will salvage for $200 and you’ll need to replace it at a cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.

What is a catalytic converter? It is part of the exhaust system that helps reduce airborne pollutants that could harm people as well as the environment, turning 90% of harmful emissions into less harmful gases. A well-maintained catalytic converter improves the efficiency of a car, directly affecting its overall health and performance.

Can a car run without it? Typically, yes. It may throw an engine fault code as it looks for the catalyst to filter before reaching the rear oxygen sensor present in the exhaust system to adjust the fuel or air-to-fuel ratio.

Why do thieves steal catalytic converters? Catalytic converters contain small amounts of precious metals that can be sold to unscrupulous scrap dealers. Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium line an area of the system. There is usually less than 3 to 5 grams of these metals per converter. Today’s market value for an ounce of these metals (Rhodium $28,425.00, Palladium $2,645.00. Platinum $1,178.75) makes it enticing for those willing to take the risk.

So what can you do to help protect yourself from a catalytic converter thief?

Park carefully. Make it as difficult as possible for someone to get under your vehicle. Well-lit areas can help deter as well. Park your vehicle inside if possible.
Do not leave your vehicle in unattended lots for long periods of time.
Have your vehicle identification number (VIN) etched, engraved, or written on your catalytic converter to alert scrap dealers the unit may be stolen. This could also help local authorities if the thief is caught.
Consider having the unit welded or permanently secured to the vehicle frame.
Install an under-carriage guard plate. This metal plate covers the entire catalytic converter area practically eliminating access to the unit.
The goal is to make it as difficult as possible for a thief to quickly steal your catalytic converter. If they look under their vehicle and see one of these deterrents, they are more likely to move on to an easier target.

The IMT Loss Control Department has resources available to help our agents and policyholders in their efforts to reduce exposures and injuries while promoting safety at the workplace and in the home. We have a host of online, streaming and on-demand tools at our disposal to consult and work with you. Please contact our office if you think could benefit from additional information or education and training materials.

02/20/2019

A small business had automatic payments set up to go to a vendor who provided their office supplies every month. One day an employee in accounting got an email that appeared to come from the vendor asking that payments to be sent to a different account.

01/25/2019

Wood Stove safety. Things to know to keep you safe

Having a wood-burning stove as a source of supplemental heat during the colder months can result in significant cost savings on your electric bill, but did you know it can cause an increase in premium on your homeowners insurance?



What to know:



•Even if you have a new wood-burning stove, the act of burning wood as a source of heat creates the possibility of sparking or spitting of hot embers. Taken in combination with combustible materials around your wood-burning stove, there is an increased risk.

•If you are considering having a wood-burning stove installed, be sure it is UL approved and professionally installed. Not only will this help ensure the safety of your home and family, but many insurers will not provide insurance unless certain safety standards or clearances are met. Most insurance carriers will want to do an additional inspection on the unit itself as well.

•Notify your insurance company of the presence of such a stove in your home to ensure you have proper coverage on your home and belongings.



How to maintain wood-stove safety:



•Have the chimney and stove cleaned and inspected annually before you begin using it for the season.

•Look over your unit and chimney regularly for potential cracks. This will help you catch something small before it becomes an issue.

•Follow all clearance requirements in the home. This rule applies to people and pets as well as furniture and other combustible materials. This will help prevent burn injuries as well as limit the risk of a fire starting outside the unit.

•Only burn dry wood. Burning wood can cause deposits known as creosote to build up. If not properly maintained, these deposits can ignite and cause chimney fires.



Having a wood-burning stove doesn’t have to be scary. Make sure you fully understand the risks and responsibilities associated with having one in your home. Also, be sure to talk with your insurance agent or carrier if there are ever any changes in your home that could impact your insurance. Stay warm out there!



References:

•https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/WoodPelletStoveSafety.ashx

•https://www.doityourself.com/stry/10-safety-tips-to-remember-when-using-a-wood-burning-stove

12/21/2018

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

11/21/2018

Tis the season for tossing logs into the fireplace or cranking up the furnace. While winter hasn’t officially arrived, it’s close!

Heating your home during the winter months can be costly. One of the most relied upon systems in your home is your furnace. Sadly enough, it may also may be the most neglected system. It’s often tucked in a closet or in your basement. Even when you flip the switch to turn it on, you may not think about it.

Investing in smart technology and avoiding common heating mistakes can be beneficial for you, your family, and your wallet.

Programmable vs. Smart Thermostats

Growing up, my parent’s home had a basic thermostat. Other than setting the temperature, it was either on or off.

In my current home, I have a programmable thermostat that allows me to create a schedule based on the needs of my family. The problem with this type of thermostat is, it can be difficult to program.

I’ve managed to figure mine out and it works well. While programmable thermostats get the job done, the latest trend is the installation of smart thermostats.

10/15/2018

When the sun sets on another boating season, it is time to get your boat ready for the cold winter months. Taking the necessary steps to winterize your boat will safeguard the vessel and its motor against the elements, so it is ready to...

03/16/2018

Have a SAFE and happy St. Patrick's Day everyone !!!

10/27/2017

09/15/2017

School is back in session - which means there is more congestion on the streets - school buses, kids walking to school, and parents either dropping off or picking up their kids .

It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

More children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location, according to the National Safe Routes to School program. According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus.

Here are a few precautions you can take to keep kids safe :


•Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic

•In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection

•Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign

•Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas

•Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way



You should also take these steps to keep the kids who may be taking the bus to school safe:


•Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children

•If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.

• Stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus

•Be alert; children often are unpredictable and may dart out into traffic when you least expect it .



If you take these few easy precautions, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.

06/30/2017

Hoping everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend !!

06/16/2017

FORE !!

As everyone's eyes are on the US Open Golf Tournament this weekend - it is a good time to refresh all the golfers out there on some golf cart safety tips.

*When you get into the cart, read over the warning and safety guideline stickers that are in the golf cart. They serve as good reminders as you begin your rounds of golf .


*Keep your arms and legs inside the cart when the cart is in motion. There may be obstacles - tree branches, for example - that arms or legs extended from the cab of the cart can hit - causing injury.


*Most carts in use on golf courses are not equipped with safety belts. Don't go flying around corners or attempt sharp curves at top speed - this can result in someone being thrown from the cart .


*Watch the cart path. Just like a driver on a highway can be distracted by something and lose sight of the road, golfers can also get distracted and drive right off the designated cart path.

* Be especially aware on cart paths around around the clubhouse, and at any intersections or bottlenecks on the course. This can prevent a collision with another cart.


*Don't take the cart to places on the golf course where it is not intended to go: Through trees, over rough terrain, down through ravines, or through water.

All these simple common sense rules will ensure that a relaxing day of golf doesn't take a turn for the worse.

Go out there and enjoy !!

05/26/2017

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend everyone !