Responding to Fentanyl Risks in Vehicle Break-Ins: Strategies for Insurers

In recent years, insurance companies have observed a troubling trend: a sustained surge in vehicle break-ins across the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, over one million vehicle break-ins were reported in 2023 alone – and this number continues to increase each year.

The year-over-year increase in car theft has been compounded by another troubling trend: a significant increase in fentanyl distribution. In 2024, the DEA reported that the rate of fentanyl seizure has nearly doubled since 2022, calling it “the nation’s greatest and most urgent drug threat”. Both of these trends have combined to create safety and financial headaches for insurance companies. 

When stolen vehicles are recovered, the presence of illicit drugs – especially fentanyl – poses significant dangers to both insurance adjusters and customers alike. As rates of both vehicle break-ins and fentanyl distribution continue to rise, it’s become critical for insurers to be able to safely test stolen vehicles for drug contamination when faced with possible foreign substances in the car. 

The Hidden Dangers of Fentanyl Exposure

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is incredibly potent and highly lethal in small amounts. According to the CDC, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States. Alarmingly, 42% of pills tested for fentanyl by the DEA contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl – a potentially lethal dose. When vehicles are broken into and used to transport or store fentanyl, the contamination risk becomes severe. 

Insurance adjusters, who are often some of the first to inspect these vehicles, are at heightened risk of accidental exposure through inhalation or skin contact. The potency of fentanyl cannot be overstated, being 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Because of its potency, even minimal incidental exposure to the drug can be potentially lethal to those working around it.

The Costly Measures Taken by Insurance Companies

Given the substantial risks involved with recovering vehicles that have been exposed to opioids like fentanyl, many insurers are left facing difficult scenarios with few solutions.

Without access to adequate drug testing and fentanyl neutralization services, insurance companies may choose to total recovered vehicles that show signs of drug contamination in order to avoid exposing their adjusters and customers to potential harm. This approach, while necessary for safety, underscores the need for effective remediation services that can eliminate risks of exposure and allow for safe, proper case management.

A Solution Through Remediation

As a result of the challenges posed above, many insurance providers are beginning to partner with remediation specialists to help address this complicated issue. These remediation providers are experts at safely assessing, screening, and restoring contaminated areas back to normal conditions with minimal disruptions to their surroundings.

The screening and remediation is complex and requires training, proper materials, and careful adherence to safety procedures. Aftermath’s remediation process has been developed specifically with insurance companies’ needs in mind. Take a look at how we do it. 

How Aftermath Services Safely Neutralizes Fentanyl

Our fentanyl testing and remediation process follows a careful step-by-step process outlined below to safely restore contaminated areas in vehicles, homes and offices.

Setting Up a Decontamination Zone

• Establish a designated area for decontamination, ensuring it is isolated from other parts of the vehicle.
• Ensure individuals involved in the neutralization process are donning appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Assessment

• Evaluate the potential contamination to determine its extent and severity and identify any potential risks.

Testing for Hazardous Levels

• Conduct testing of the neutralization site to assess the contents of the affected area using a third-party testing kit.

Neutralization

• Proceed with the neutralization process using a 100% effective neutralizing agent to eliminate any remaining traces of fentanyl or harmful opioids. Physically remove and dispose of neutralized materials by trained personnel.

Retesting and Certification

• After completing the neutralization process, conduct additional testing to certify the contaminated area is now safe.

Restoring Safety With Professional Remediation Services

By partnering with specialized fentanyl neutralization and decontamination service providers, insurance companies now have a safe solution for ensuring a customer’s property can be assessed and handled properly.

When dealing with dangerous substances like fentanyl, it’s critical that safe conditions are restored through accurate assessment and expert handling. With the right remediation services at their disposal, insurers can effectively respond to these new risks, create safer working environments, and bring greater peace of mind to everyone involved.

To learn more about fentanyl neutralization services or to partner with Aftermath Services for remediation, visit our services page here.