As a trucking company, reducing your commercial insurance premiums can be an important way to increase the profitability of your business. But how can you do this?
One of the most effective ways to lower your commercial truck insurance premiums is to adopt a safety mindset throughout your organization.
What is a Safety Mindset and How Does It Relate to Lowering Truck Insurance Premiums?
A safety mindset is a proactive approach to safety that includes both individual and organizational components.
It starts with each person assuming personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of others. This means being aware of potential hazards, taking steps to mitigate risks, and always being prepared for emergencies.
When it comes to fleets, a safety mindset must be adopted at all levels, from management on down. This means creating and enforcing policies and procedures that promote safe driving habits, investing in training and education for all truck drivers, and using technology to improve safety.
By taking these steps, fleet owners can create a culture of safety that will not only prevent accidents and injuries but also lower their trucking insurance premiums. This makes sense as insurance carriers want to encourage safe driving habits, so they’re more likely to reward those who are focused on safety.
Of course, not all accidents can be avoided no matter how safely you drive. But by showing that you’re committed to safety, you can send a positive message to insurance carriers and potentially save yourself some money on your premium.
How Can You Create a Safety Culture in Your Company?
Creating a safety culture in your company requires a comprehensive approach that demands the involvement of all employees, from top management to drivers. Here are some steps you can take to create a safety culture in your commercial trucking company:
1. Develop a clear safety policy
Develop a clear and comprehensive safety policy that outlines your company’s commitment to safety and sets expectations for all employees.
Maintain strict standards and expectations for four essential driving behaviors: speed, following distance, distraction, and fatigue. In most cases, one or more of these factors contribute to a crash.
Also, establish a clear policy on drug and alcohol use and make sure drivers understand it.
2. Hire competent drivers
No matter how urgently you need a new hire, make sure not to compromise your expectations just to fill a vacancy.
Implement relevant recruiting standards; do an effective background check to ensure the candidate fits your expectations, ensuring the individual is drug-free, well-prepared, a competent operator, and physically capable of performing the job safely.
3. Provide regular training and education
Provide regular training and education on safety topics, including regulations, best practices, and emerging safety technologies.
Defensive driving training is especially useful to reinforce driving behaviors and practices that can help your drivers avoid crashes caused by the mistakes of others.
4. Regularly monitor and evaluate driving performance
Regularly monitor and evaluate your company’s safety performance, including accident and violation data, and take proactive steps to address any issues that arise.
If you install forward-facing event recorders in your trucks, you can use the data to compare the driver’s performance to your expectations of them.
Provide timely and detailed feedback, and demand your drivers to adjust their driving habits to correspond to the expectations you both agreed upon.
5. Encourage a culture of immediate reporting
Encourage a culture of reporting, where employees feel comfortable reporting safety incidents and near misses, without fear of retaliation.
Any delay in reporting may raise the cost of the claim and may cause your insurance company to refuse to renew your insurance coverage at the end of your policy term.
6. Use technology to enhance safety
Consider using technology, such as electronic logging devices, collision avoidance systems, and backup cameras, to enhance safety and prevent accidents and violations.
If you already have several safe driving initiatives in place, incorporating safety technology and the analytics that go with it can significantly influence your bottom line.
7. Manage your DOT Safer scores
Managing DOT Safer scores is an effective way to reduce commercial truck insurance premiums.
This system is used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to measure the safety performance of trucking companies.
The scores are based on criteria such as vehicle maintenance, driver safety, and hazardous materials handling. The higher the score, the lower the insurance premiums.
By taking these steps and consistently promoting and reinforcing a strong safety culture, you can create a safer and more efficient workplace, reduce costs, lower your insurance premium, and improve your reputation in the trucking industry.
Manage Your Losses With An Insurance Company
As a fleet owner, you can face many risks that can cause losses such as vehicle accidents, theft, natural disasters, and liability claims. An insurance company can help you manage these losses in a number of ways:
- Risk assessment: The insurance company can assess your operations and identify potential risks to help you make informed decisions about your insurance coverage.
- Loss control: The insurance company can provide loss control services, such as safety training programs, to help you reduce the risk of accidents and losses.
- Claims management: The insurance provider can assist you with the claims process, providing guidance on reporting losses, documenting damages, and working with you to manage your claims.
- Safety programs: The insurance company can provide safety programs, such as defensive driving courses, to help truck drivers reduce the risk of accidents and losses.
- Cost containment: The insurance provider can work with you to control costs associated with losses, such as the cost of repairs and replacement vehicles.
Overall, a professional insurance company can help fleet owners manage their losses by providing a range of services and support aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of losses.
Conclusion
By implementing a culture of safety that is visible to your drivers and the insurance companies, you will be able to demonstrate that your company is committed to preventing accidents and injuries.
This commitment can help reduce the risk of costly claims and will result in lower insurance premiums for your trucking business.With over 50 years of experience, Mike Keith Insurance, Inc. is the Agency of Choice for many fleet owners. Our unparalleled service and “A” rated carrier base allow us to provide you with the most reasonable price and best coverage you need. Contact us today, and we will work together to design a program that best suits your needs!
