Tag: trucking

Top 10 Mistakes Truck Owners Make When Choosing Insurance Coverage

Western Truck Insurance

Buying insurance to protect your trucking operation is a serious business. Here are the top 10 pitfalls to avoid when looking for coverage.

  1. Working with a generalist insurance agency. Trucking is a niche business and requires an agency that understands your operation, the exposures you face, and how to address them. You want an insurance agency with years of experience that specializes in trucking.
  2. Skimping on coverage. A common mistake truck owners make is not buying enough coverage. While price is a consideration, it’s critical to look at the risks associated with not having the right coverage features and limits in place to address those risks. The out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim could be financially devastating.
  3. Buying the least expensive policy. Again, price is always a consideration, but if you choose the cheapest policy available, you may end up with limited coverage and higher deductibles, leaving you vulnerable in the event of an accident.
  4. Not understanding what the policy covers. It’s essential to take the time to review your policy so you know what is and isn’t covered. You don’t want any surprises if you have a claim. A trucking insurance specialist can review your policy features and coverage terms and conditions.
  5. Failure to disclose all relevant information. Be honest and transparent during the application process. If you fail to disclose pertinent information, including the driver’s history of accidents or violations, the insurance company can deny your claim and raise your rates down the road.
  6. Outdated policy information. As your business changes, be sure to notify your agent so your insurance is up to date. You may have expanded your operation and require higher limits. You want to ensure you have the right coverage in place to safeguard your assets.
  7. Choosing lower limits. Your liability limits should reflect the assets you have at risk. The minimum state-mandated requirements may not be enough to protect your assets. Today’s litigious environment and high verdicts in trucking accidents require a close look at the Liability limits you buy.
  8. Selecting the wrong deductible option. You want to choose a deductible that is aligned with what you can afford to pay and what makes most sense between the cost savings and the increased deductible.
  9. Inaccurate information on your vehicle lists. Make sure your equipment list is correct. If you make mistakes on your equipment list, you can be overcharged or undercharged for the physical damage portion of your Commercial Trucking Insurance premium, or worse yet,  have a claim denied because the vehicle was not on the policy.  
  10.  Paying for insurance you don’t need. This is another reason to work with a trucking insurance specialist and understand what your insurance covers. You don’t want to pay for unnecessary coverage or limits you don’t need.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is an insurance brokerage specializing in commercial truck insurance. We know this stuff and want to make sure you do, too. Our clients appreciate our dedication to finding competitive rates and offering unparalleled service beyond excellent insurance options. They also value how our state-of-the-art automation provides lightning-fast Truck insurance quotes, customer service, insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more.

DOT Promotes Flexibility in Trucking Hours to Maintain Trucker Safety

Bob Holtzman

In a recently released memo, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) detailed final rules updating the hours of service to increase safety on roadways by updating existing regulations for commercial truck drivers.

The need for this change has come about due to the disruption in the nation’s trucking supply chain as a result of COVID-19. The outbreak of the virus this last spring upended everything from logistics to international shipping, which then trickled down to trucking companies, altering their service hours. In turn, this increased demand has affected trucker’s overall safety.

The solution from the FMCSA was implemented to bring more flexibility to new hours of operation, thus encouraging more rest and support for truck drivers.

Hours of Service Rules: A Closer Look

First adopted in 1937, FMCSA’s hours of service rules specify the permitted hours of operation for commercial truck drivers. In 2018, FMCSA penned an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to receive public comments on the HOS rules to limit unnecessary burdens placed on truck drivers while upholding Trucker safety on highways and roads. In 2019, the Agency published a detailed proposed rule which received plenty of public commentary.

Based on these comments and input, FMCSA’s final rule on hours of service offers some revisions to the existing rules.

First, the FMCSA will increase safety and flexibility for the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break after eight hours of consecutive driving and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status.

Secondly, the FMCSA will modify the sleeper-berth exception to allow truck drivers to split their required 10 hours of off duty time into two periods. Also, the FMCSA will modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending the maximum window of time during which truck driving is allowed by two hours.

Lastly, the FMCSA will change the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening the truck drivers’ maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the truck driver may work from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.

This change in hours of service rules is estimated to provide nearly $274 million in cost savings on an annual basis for the U.S. economy and American consumers. The trucking industry, although it has seen some disruption in recent years due to fewer available drivers and automation in driving technology, is still a major component of the national economy. The industry employs more than seven million people and moves nearly 75% of the nation’s domestic freight.

Since the onset of COVID-19, truck drivers have played a key role in getting the country through by driving supplies from state to state. FMCSA has provided relief to commercial truck drivers to get medical supplies, food, and household goods to Americans in need during these unprecedented times.

About Western Truck Insurance Services
Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more!

CA in Second Phase of Reopening After COVID-19

Bob Holtzman

As the spread of COVID-19 looks to be on a downward slope, states across the U.S. have begun to ease their social distancing restrictions, allowing people to head back outside, back to work, and back to doing some of their normal things, like eating at restaurants and retail shopping.

California’s Second Phase

But one of the hardest hit states, California, is rolling out its own reopening plan, opting for multiple stages and a slow release to get the state back to normal.

In recently released guidelines, Gov. Gavin Newsom has introduced Phase 2 of California’s reopening efforts, focusing on dine-in restaurants, shopping malls, office buildings, and more. Some parts of the state are allowed to reopen with certain modifications as long as the county gives the go-ahead. Those sectors also include logistics, which is directly tied to the trucking industry.

At this point, only 18 of the state’s 58 counties have been approved by the state government to reopen. In order to be approved for further reopening, counties must prove they meet the following criteria:

  • No more than one new COVID-19 case per 10,000 residents in the past 14 days
  • Essential workers must have access to PPE
  • At least 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents
  • Ability to temporarily house 15% of the county’s homeless population
  • Continue to monitor metrics to potentially re-enact restrictions

Regardless of where they open in the state, restaurants, schools, and shopping centers will have to follow strict rules to reduce the risk of spreading the virus any further.

CA Reopening and Logistics

The logistics sector is directly tied to trucking, as pallets of products need to be held in one location, loaded on a truck, then moved to another location. From one location to another, many different working hands will handle the product. Trucking professionals, while they may not directly come in contact with the product they haul, are advised to follow the same strict guidelines as logistics and warehouse workers who do.

Before participating in CA reopening orders, all warehouse facilities must:

  • Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan
  • Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them
  • Implement individual control measures and screenings
  • Implement disinfecting protocols
  • Implement physical distancing guidelines

For further guidance, the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA released specific outlines. The Logistics and Warehouse Guidance outlines certain protocols to be included in a company’s worksite-specific written plan, like cleaning delivery vehicles and equipment before and after a delivery is made, providing sanitation materials during deliveries, inspecting deliveries, and performing disinfection measures where appropriate before storing goods in warehouses.

Worker Guidelines

The guidelines also point to workers’ rights and expectations by highlighting the need to provide working time for workers to implement cleaning practices before and after shifts, minimizing transaction time between warehouse employees and transportation employees, such as truckers, staggering shifts and break times, and installing spacial barriers to aid in social distancing efforts.

Businesses involved in logistics, such as warehouses and trucking companies, must provide adequate employee training that covers CDC guidelines, hand washing, self-assessment at home, social distancing, and other protective measures. Furthermore, businesses must regularly evaluate the worksite for compliance with the guidance provided and make attempts to correct any deficiencies.

While trucking and logistics continue to thrive during these unprecedented times, the atmosphere around the industries, like all industries, has changed. And since California’s economy is heavily dependent upon these two sectors, it’s expected that they may be changed forever, having to following these guidelines and similar guidelines for the foreseeable future.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more!

Trucking by the Numbers: Cargo Theft, Operational Costs, and More

Bob Holtzman

The trucking industry has seen a seismic change in everything from day-to-day operations, technology, and operational costs, causing operators in the industry to have to review their goals, needs, and finances. With a new year upon us, it’s important to look at the outlook of the industry and see how companies need to adjust heading into a new year and new quarter.

Here’s a closer look at the trucking industry and how everything is stacking up.

Operational Costs

According to ATRI’s newest Ops Costs report, operational costs in the trucking industry haven’t changed too much from the prior year. The average marginal cost per mile incurred by motor carriers in 2018 increased by a 7.7-percent mark to $1.82. Costs rose in every cost center, save for tires, with fuel costs experiencing the highest year-over-year growth at 17.7 percent.

In the truck insurance industry, insurance costs saw the second-fastest yearly growth at 12 percent. But even with this increase, trucking companies are needing to fit this expense in their monthly budgets to protect against costly claims on the road or to even protect them from roadside incidents, such as accidents or lost or stolen merchandise.

Repair and maintenance costs have increased by 24 percent since 2012, hovering around 17 cents per mile, even with an increase in sales of new trucks and trailers. Altogether, motor carrier operational costs have jumped up by more than 11.6 percent.

Roadway Incidents and Deadly Jobs

Transportation incidents have continued to rise in the industry, representing the most common fatal workplace injury. Roadway incidents involving motorized vehicles are the leading fatal cause, followed by pedestrian vehicular incidents. Increased efforts in the industry are in motion to provide drivers with the tools to drive defensively even with a higher rate of traffic congestion.

In 2018, the industry saw a two-percent increase from 2017 in fatal work injuries in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fatal work injury rate remained the same at 3.5 per 100,000 full-time workers. Truck drivers had the most fatalities of any broad occupation group in 2018, and heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers had the second-most fatalities.

Cargo Theft

The holidays have just passed, and numbers out of the season in terms of cargo theft are expected to be high, as usual. The Christmas season is usually the busiest time of year when it comes to cargo theft, and with a rise in e-commerce causing more trucks to be on the road, it’s no secret that cargo theft is something to be concerned about at a growing rate.

It’s estimated that about two thefts take place every day during the holiday shopping season, a 20-percent increase compared to the remainder of the year with electronics being the main target.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes.

The Best Practices of Efficient Trucking Operations

Bob Holtzman

Running a trucking company comes with its challenges, that much is true. But trucking operations owners can invest in a series of best practices to make daily operations smoother and more efficient.

From keeping vehicles and drivers safe to saving money and looking out for your bottom line, emphasizing a focus on efficiency in your company’s blueprint is an effective overall plan. Here are some best practices to consider when wanting to create and run on an atmosphere of efficiency.

Improving Safety

Safety should be the top priority of every trucking company. It’s important to keep vehicles maintained regularly, educate your employees on driver safety, and keep your truck insurance policy updated. Commercial truck insurance is specifically tailored to your trucking company’s needs and can dive into things like trailers, pollution and in general cover repairs and replacements of parts and trucks.

Trucking companies should stress the importance of having safe operational trucks that employees use daily. And with a new wave of self-driving trucking technology stepping into the big rig world, companies that are adapting have a lot more to worry about in terms of safety. Improving safety in trucking goes together with solid operation conditions and training for drivers. Trucking owners should also arrange safety programs and schedule regular meetings on refreshing everyone’s mind on driver safety.

Maintenance

As mentioned in the section above, it’s important to have vehicles routinely worked on to ensure overall operational safety. But beyond safety, vehicles can also be optimized to keep efficiency a priority. Tire pressure is always an issue with fuel consumption, especially when it comes to large commercial fleets driving from highway to highway.

Trucks should have regularly scheduled tire pressure checks as well as once-overs of assessing the integrity of axle alignment. Maintenance is a broad term when it comes to commercial trucking operations, but what’s important is to understand the frequency in which truck safety should be established through assessments.

Load Management Optimizations

Trucks can cut down on overall operations costs by maximizing the best potential load. Trucking companies should require packing and loading their trucks to as close to capacity as possible, especially when it comes to short-distance deliveries.

Trucking operations should try their best to keep away from running an empty load when picking up another load. There is software that is specifically outfitted to optimize pickup and delivery routes, whether it’s distance or vehicle capacity.

Optimizing Routes

The same software that helps boost more efficient loads can also do the same for travel routes. The goal is to select the most fuel-efficient and time-efficient routes, which may not be the shortest distances. Companies should consider factors such as speed limits, traffic signals, regular traffic levels in certain areas, and other times where trucks are stopped.

One way trucking operation companies can help themselves when it comes to planning routes is to make running lists of notes related to things like hazardous materials routes, preferred routes, and construction zones that are all need-to-know pieces of information.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

Why Every Trucker Should Have Roadside Assistance Coverage

Bob Holtzman

Roadside assistance is an add-on type of insurance that some commercial truck drivers may not consider when looking for coverage. Having regular insurance on hand is a must, but budgeting for something like roadside assistance may not be at the top of a driver’s list. However, it’s important that drivers all around know the benefits of having some extra help.

In the event that a semi breaks down, roadside assistance can kick in. Drivers should consider commercial vehicle breakdown insurance to cover a wide range of issues including hotel and travel discounts, fuel delivery service and parts delivery. Let’s see how else vehicle breakdown insurance can be a benefit to truck drivers.

Towing

A semi-truck that finds itself broken down on the side of the road and needs transport to a mechanic will have to be towed away. Typically, this is a major expense under insurance plans and usually higher when it is outside of a roadside assistance program like vehicle breakdown insurance. Investing in this coverage can make things less complicated.

Flat Tires

Semi trucks are not immune to flat tires. Just like a regular car driver may need some help to change a flat, truck drivers could find themselves stranded and looking for assistance. Having a roadside assistance plan in place will offer up built-in help including bringing someone out to help change a flat, no matter the size.

Mechanic Service

Some insurance providers offer up mechanic service to help with things like electrical and mechanical issues. A provider will send someone out to your truck and make any minor repairs needed. Mobile mechanics may not be able to take on bigger tasks, like working on transmissions, but most disabling problems can be taken care of on the spot.

Jump Start

Sounds easy enough, right? Well, sometimes a simple jump start can be a lot to handle, especially for semi’s. Leaving the lights on or having a battery drained will put stress on any trucking operation. Getting a quick jump start will get you back on the road in no time, a must-have for any driver in any state.

Fluid Delivery

Low on oil? A provider can send help with a mobile mechanic who can drop some much needed fluids into a truck. This will help to safeguard against potential engine damage down the road and keep internal damage at bay.

Lockout Service

Forget your keys in the truck cabin? This happens to anyone. Having roadside assistance in place will also lend a hand when you forget your keys in your truck as a provider will send someone out to replace your keys or help you get back into your truck.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

Brake Safety Week: How to Make Sure Your Brakes are Maintained and Working

Bob Holtzman

Braking systems are one of the most important components of any semi vehicle on the road. A matter of safety and security for not only the truck’s driver and the cargo they’re carrying, having a well-maintained brake system should keep everyone else on the road safe.

Brake failure is a common cause for accidents and fatalities that involve semi trucks, which will ultimately lead to lawsuits. Having truck insurance, like regular auto insurance, in place will help to provide legal help and liability protection in the event of an accident, but there should be a focus on overall preemptive safety beforehand. Here are some tips to keep in mind when evaluating and providing maintenance to your semi truck:

Replace Pads

Like everyday vehicles on the road, semi trucks have plenty of parts that need to be taken care of and, in time, replaced to uphold integrity on the road. Brake shoes have indicators built into the pads that display when replacement is a need. When a truck is taken in to have the pads replaced, make sure to replace the springs, pins and bushings for the brakes. Essentially, look at this maintenance as a full service job, making sure all components are new.

Slack Adjusters

These work to keep the brakes in alignment when they are in use. Trucks on the road have either manual or automatic slack adjusters, but both need to be greased to work efficiently and effectively. Automatic slack adjusters will keep the brakes in adjustment automatically, whereas manual adjusters require the driver to make the adjustments on their own.

Many operators regretfully forget to grease the slack adjusters, mostly because they are not regularly used. What happens when they go without maintenance for long enough is that they seize up and stop working, which can cause brake failure over time.

S Cams

The S cam is turned by a shaft that’s operated by the slack adjusters mentioned above. The S cams do their work by pushing the brake shoe into the drum to stop the truck. Obviously, they are extremely important given their nature. Make sure to check the bushings when getting maintenance done; bushings are part of the S cam, and need to be greased just like the slack adjusters.

Air Compressions

Check the application pressure and ensure that the gauge reads greater than 60 psi before getting the truck moving. The pressure should run between 100 psi and 125 psi, all working to stop the truck at a reasonable rate. The brakes should be serviced when the application pressure is consistently falling low and a truck should not be used if the pressure drops below 60 psi.

When Brakes Should Be Serviced

Make sure to set out a routine plan and schedule for evaluating and servicing your truck’s brakes for premium safety on the road. Distance traveled between service may vary depending on the truck, but no matter the size and condition of the truck, as well as the model and year, it’s important to have a routine maintenance done.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and  transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

How Data-Driven Technology Could Change the Trucking Industry

Bob Holtzman

Technology is increasingly changing the world around us and making innovative steps in virtually every industry including trucking. Long haul companies are seeing a growing dependency on digital technology affect their operations and having to reorganize the way they do business. With the advent of autonomous trucking and a threat of a driver shortage looming, the trucking industry is seeing a number of rapid changes pushing and pulling it in many different directions.

Digitized trucking is still a little ways off and the logistics industry as a whole still has time to prepare for dramatic shifts like how to go about commercial truck insurance. Parts of it are already being put in place due to a couple major global trends that are helping to change the trucking industry.

The first is a push to manage climate change and to save energy and resources in an industry that traditionally goes against those notions. Secondly, social and cultural changes are beginning to open up new markets and expectations for the influence of autonomous vehicles and the digitized supply chain. Together, these two factors show that the effect of these trends isn’t just a matter of trucks themselves or how global supply chain is managed. Instead, digitized trucking will transform how most stakeholders in OEMs, logistics, warehouses, and others will operate.

Logistics

Soon enough it will be possible to integrate the truck into real-time logistics data across the whole supply chain. Parts, materials suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses–virtually every area will be affected. When orders are sent to manufacturers, a supply chain system will send back a report on the availability of the goods and timing of shipping it out, thus optimizing its production schedule. If something happens that impedes the truck from delivering on time, on schedule, the system can automatically determine a new route and update the receiving party about the new arrival time.

Transforming the Industry

Bringing updated digital technologies together in the trucking industry of tomorrow has already begun and the digitally integrated world of trucking will see massive differences soon. Trucking companies should already be on top of these changes and anticipating how they can change in real time. Expect to see further development of a hub-and-spoke delivery structure.

The use of large distribution hubs will become normalized in trucking. Trucks will have the ability to do away with human interaction during hub-to-hub trips as autonomous technology continues to be perfected. For now, there are trucking companies trying out this tech, such as Uber and Tesla, seeing how trucks can handle getting on and off highways as well as tracking their cruising performance. As hub-to-hub trucking becomes more common and necessary, regulations will have to change around the impact of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

This digital data landscape is more than just software and more visible in areas besides just warehouses and freight loads. Trucking companies should connect the dots between all areas of growth and change in the industry and see their domino-like effects.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and \ transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

Why Pollution Coverage is Necessary for Trucking Operations

Bob Holtzman

Trucking companies that invest in a standard truck insurance policy may find adequate coverage against liability claims related to accidents and cargo, but typically don’t have protection against claims related to pollution. It’s no secret that semi trucks emit more pollutants the average car on the highway and some trucking companies have suffered having this exclusion.

With a sharper eye on the trucking industry and its impact on the environment, new players are coming into view to try to alter the impact of semi’s on the road, such as the electric Tesla semi. Regardless of emissions, trucking companies currently on the road today need to understand just how important pollution coverage is in a packaged insurance policy.

Regulation

In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency announced settlements with three major companies in regards to penalties for violating the state’s truck and bus regulation.

Diesel emissions from trucks are a large source of pollution, relating to health issues like asthma and cardiovascular effects in adults. Many heavy duty trucks are older vehicles and emit high amounts of pollutants. Totaling more than $200,000, the fines pointed out that the companies either failed to install particulate filters on their diesel trucks or failed to verify that trucks they hired for use complied with state rule.

Pollution Conditions

Even if trucking companies aren’t known for shipping hazardous cargo, such as waste, and instead known for trucking harmless natural materials, they have the potential to cause conditions related to pollution.

In recent years, the definition of pollutants has widened to include dirt and rocks. This is due to the Clean Water ACT (CWA) from federal environmental regulations, which put the term on those materials because they could possibly contaminate the water of a new area they’ve been shipped to. There are endorsements, such as MSC-90, that trucking companies can add to their current policies to make sure their inventory and business are safe.

Upset or Overturn

If an accident on the road involves a commercial vehicle that’s hauling hazardous or pollutant materials, this could spell trouble for the trucking company. If a tanker truck, for instance, is damaged in said accident, spilling some of its cargo (i.e. pollutants) on the road, there are costly repercussions associated with this. Property damage rates can skyrocket and repairs to vehicles can be another hindrance toward a commercial trucking company’s bottom line.

With the right coverage, your business can be safeguarded against environmental claims, cleanup costs, and claims of bodily injury or property damage.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

The Biggest Problems Facing the Trucking Industry Today

Bob Holtzman

No matter the type of business, no matter the economy, there are high times and tough times for each major industry. And with the advent of smarter and more efficient technology many industries are seeing the speed of change pose new issues.

One major industry feeling the pressure of too much change, too fast, is the trucking industry. From driver shortages to more tech-based opponents, traditional trucking companies are having to change course. One step to protecting the overall future of the industry is to invest in truck insurance, and another is to invest in the actual future: drivers. Here are some ways in which the trucking industry is feeling some pain today.

1. Driver Shortage

Even with an average pay of around $80,000, many news outlets are reporting that the trucking industry is seeing a huge challenge meeting it employment needs. A driver shortage is causing trucking companies to find new ways to attract tomorrow’s drivers. This has been a concern for years in the industry and with companies like Tesla and Uber testing out self-driving trucks, traditional truck drivers are feeling like they’re being replaced.

According to ATRI research, nearly 57 percent of the trucking workforce is at least 45 years old. If this continues, the shortage will reach more than 175,000 drivers by 2026.

2. Hours of Service

Flexible hours or service rules are now more emphasized by companies for their drivers. Many of those who hold stake in the industry believe that drivers should split their hours of operation, while some stress eight hours of straight driving. Employees could get an opportunity to rest when tired and adjust their schedules to avoid everything from traffic congestion to health risks.

3. Cash Flow

Trucking fleets may see a wait time as long as 60 to 90 days to get paid by brokers and shippers. With an extended cycle, a fleet’s cash flow can be drained and growth could be limited. Accounts receivable financing turns fleets’ invoices into cash in under a day, which results in building their working capital.

4. Driver Health

Truck drivers face a number of health obstacles, especially the longer they’re behind the wheel. These drivers are twice as likely as other workers in any industry to be obese, have diabetes and not have any type of health insurance. The job is demanding, and with such stress put on it, drivers are seeing a rapid decline in health, another component of making the job less enticing to new crops of drivers. There are new initiatives in place, like Rolling Strong, which aim to invest in drivers’ health and wellness with better fitness.

5. Safety

Accidents and fatalities behind the wheel happen and have always posed a risk for drivers. But beyond these risks, drivers face overall safety at their truck stops or where ever they park their trucks. There is new sensing technology that has come out that helps trucks avoid collisions and helps reduce the number of accidents, with numbers expected to reduce in the coming years.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and \ transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.