Striking out on your own and working in the gig economy may seem like a risky endeavor for people working in tech or the arts. But one area where being self-employed is actually coming out ahead is in the trucking business. Self-employed truck drivers, also known as owner-operators, earn more per hour and work longer, … Continue reading “In 2019, Independent Truck Drivers Are Earning More Than Company Drivers”
Liability coverage makes up a big part of an independent insurance cost. This pays out injuries and property damage after a wreck. When it comes to over-the-road drivers or long-haul truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that a $750,000 minimum limit be met for the primary auto liability coverage. However, most … Continue reading “In the Trucking Insurance Market, High Liability Rates Are Increasingly Common”
In California, the trucking industry is in the middle of a legislative upheaval over certain exemptions and tests for truck drivers on the state’s highways. Legislation that could disrupt the owner-operator trucking model in California is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk to be signed. Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) passed the state senate’s Standing Committee … Continue reading “AB 5 Passes California State Senate Hearing – What Does this Mean?”
The commercial trucking industry is in the middle of a major overhaul right now. From a massive labor shortage to the electric and autonomous truck markets developing at a fast pace, trucking isn’t the same as it has traditionally been, and is expected to continue in this way in the coming years. One trend that … Continue reading “Driver-Facing Cameras in Trucking Operations: Yea or Nay?”
Flatbed trucks are larger than normal trucks that carry heavy loads, including heavy machinery, steel, vehicles, and more. Because of a flatbed’s payload and its design, the goods that are being shipped are more vulnerable to external exposures, and the trucks themselves are inherently more of a liability on the road when it comes to … Continue reading “Important Insurance Considerations for Flatbed Trucks”
Following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s determination in December of last year that federal law preempts California’s meal and rest break rules, many trucking companies are trying to determine how this is going to affect them with the California courts. Los Angeles Superior Court became the first state court in California to apply the … Continue reading “FMCSA Update: California Yields to Preemption Determination”
After working in the towing industry for a period of time, you’re bound to pick up a shorthand for certain classifications, industry terms, and road service items. But with a new generation of drivers taking the wheel, it may seem like a bunch of jumbled letters thrown together. With this in mind, it’s probably best … Continue reading “Towing Operators: Make Sure You Understand the Lingo”
Cargo theft of freight trucks on the road has always been a prevalent threat to freight companies. And even though numbers are down, with the uptick in e-commerce and electronics pose a potential threat for trucking companies and their clients. Drivers will park their truck at a stop, go inside to rest, and then come … Continue reading “Truck Stop Cargo Thefts: What Can Be Done”
When it comes to trucking operations, having truck insurance is an important component to keep everything moving in a transparent way. However, if a motor carrier’s driving history is flagged with having the same number as another company, finding the right coverage can be increasingly difficult. Interpreting risk information should be in every carrier’s understanding … Continue reading “How CAB Reports Function in Underwriting Trucking Operations”
The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has recently announced it will be establishing the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a new database that will include information related to violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its controlled substances and alcohol testing program. Currently, the Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, Medical … Continue reading “FMCSA Establishes Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for Commercial Drivers”
