February 25, 2021
Stricter car emissions rules around the world have sent demand for the precious metals in catalytic converters surging. That has pushed up the asking price for some of the precious metals used in the device — like palladium and rhodium — to record highs. This, combined with the fact that one can be stolen in just minutes, is making vehicles a common target.
Across the nation, police are reporting a surge in catalytic converter theft cases and we’ve seen a rise in claims from our ministry customers over the month.
And it’s not just vehicles you need to protect. Thieves also look for opportunities to nab copper from air conditioning units and other HVAC systems.
Protect Your Property
Thieves are opportunists. They want easy access, so they can get what they want quickly and escape without notice. By hindering access and making detection more likely, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Here are some ideas to consider.
Hinder Access
- Store vehicles inside locked garages or sheds. If that’s not an option, have members drive vehicles home each night, so they’re not left in parking lots.
- Enclose church property with a secure fence.
- Post “no trespassing” signs.
- Place a cage or fence around air conditioning units.
- Secure the electrical power shut-off switch. Move the switch, if it’s located near the air conditioning units.
- Remove ladders and other items offering easy access to rooftop HVAC units.
- Replace copper downspouts with other materials.
- Don’t leave copper plumbing, gutters, or wiring on construction sites.
Improve Likelihood of Detection
- Ask church members to drive past the church when they’re in the neighborhood, looking for suspicious cars, people, or activity.
- Invite church neighbors to call police if they notice unusual activity.
- Have local police patrol your property regularly during evening and night hours.
- Use security cameras to monitor target areas, including construction sites. Some systems feature motion activation and can contact police if activity is detected.
- Increase lighting around HVAC units and places where thieves might hide.
- Install alarms on HVAC units. A sensor can be set to trigger an alarm if the power to the AC unit is disconnected or if the AC coolant level drops.
Protect Unoccupied Buildings
If any ministry buildings are vacant or temporarily unoccupied, it’s important to protect them. Thieves are more likely to strike empty buildings, since they're less likely to get caught. You’ll want to protect not only the building’s air conditioner, but also any copper plumbing or valuables that may be inside.
Here are some suggestions:
- Visit vacant or unoccupied buildings regularly to make sure they’re secure.
- Stagger your visits to make them unpredictable. Don’t show up every Tuesday at 2 p.m.
- Make them look “lived in.” Shovel snow, mow the lawn, collect newspapers and mail, place lights on timers, and leave a radio or television set on during your absence.
- Ask neighbors and police to keep an eye on the place.
- Keep fire and burglar alarm systems operational, so authorities are alerted to problems.
Also, it’s important to let your insurance agent know if any buildings listed on your policy are vacant or unoccupied. If a loss occurs after a building has been unoccupied for more than 60 days, your policy may exclude the loss or reduce your payment by 15 percent.
This makes protecting your investment even more significant, since your church would bear a greater share of any loss.
Of all the liability claims that Brotherhood Mutual pays out each year, bodily injury and medical claims are at the top of the list. If your ministry hasn’t experienced a slip-and-fall incident resulting in an injury, it is just a matter of time until you do.
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As I sit here in Kansas watching the news and reports of severe weather in my State and those States that surround me, I must remind myself, “there is not much I can do about this.” As a “fixer” this is difficult for me. The storms are going to roll in and at least we have the weather service who helps prepare us to “stay out of the way.” To answer my own question, we cannot avoid weather related claims.
Remember the days when hackers were imagined as shadowy figures living in their parent's basements, playing video games, and eating Doritos while crafting scam emails? Well, that image is now outdated. The world of cybercrime has evolved, and it's both sophisticated and terrifying. According to a recent annual cyber claims report from an insurance carrier called, Coalition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), received more than 880,000 complaints of cybercrime in 2023 with reported losses of $12.5 billion.
If your church or nonprofit engages in short-term, summer mission trips, this time often signals the beginning of fundraising projects. Before you appeal for donations, it is important to review the rules of what the IRS calls “deputized fundraising” making sure you have the proper policies and procedures in place to maintain compliance. Failure to maintain compliance could result in the loss of your tax-exempt status.
With Valentine’s Day upon us and the official May-to-October wedding season not far behind, many couples are searching for the perfect wedding venue. Schools and performing arts organizations are looking for end-of-year performance and graduation venues. Your church or nonprofit facility might be the perfect match. Engaging the opportunity has stewardship and community outreach benefits. But opening your facilities to other activities and users involves risk. A Facility Use Policy sets the standard for your facility use. A Facility Use Agreement implements that standard. To be effective, leaders must answer three questions.
The focus of this article is to address some of the risks and liabilities associated with having an armed safety team. Click here to read PART ONE.
Over the last few years, our agency has continued to grow and expand across the Midwest & Rockies, now spanning six states: Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. Serving over 3,000 ministries and nonprofit organizations, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support you.
Do you ever feel like some words just get overused? I do. I live in a house with two teenagers and a sweet little boy who watches everything they do. The word "literally", gets used in 80% of sentences... It isn't even impactful anymore. It means nothing. Because if they didn't use that word, I would just expect that most of what they were saying was metaphoric in nature.
The new year signals the end of one payroll year and the beginning of another. As you process employee W2s and independent contractor 1099s, take time to evaluate a critical aspect of your ministry business risk management program: proper worker classification. While the percentage of the American workforce comprising “contingent workers” (independent contractors, contract employees, temporary employees, leased employees) was rapidly increasing before COVID, since COVID and the acceptance of the remote workplace, use of contingent workers has skyrocketed. You probably have several on your payroll.
Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to speak with several thousand church safety team members across the country. By far the most common question I get from this group is “Am I covered if something bad happens?” This is not a question that only pertains to armed safety team members. Truth is, anyone who serves in the protection of a ministry should be asking that question. The purpose of this article is to help ministries be better informed and more prepared in advance of an incident occurring.
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Join us for a comprehensive, one-day training for all! Tailored breakout sessions cover complex HR topics for administration and provides in-depth training, including a deeper review into de-escalation, for the security team. In the afternoon, unite in a deep dive on child safety with proprietary insights the anatomy of an abuse claim and protecting our youth.
One positive aspect of today’s challenged economy is the availability of underutilized or empty commercial space. Before your ministry takes the plunge into a lease agreement, we want to make sure you're well-informed and prepared to avoid some common pitfalls.
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In recent times, our team has observed a growing demand for key man life insurance, particularly within the realm of church leadership. Pastors are the spiritual pillars of their congregations, providing guidance, support, and a sense of community. While their spiritual contributions are invaluable, it's equally important to consider their financial well-being and the stability of the church should an unforeseen tragedy occur.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it's time to prepare for the festive cheer, delicious food, twinkling lights, and heartwarming gatherings. But amidst all the joy and celebration, let's take a moment to reflect on something essential - the well-being of our ministry leaders.
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