A fleet of commercial vehicles is a massive investment for businesses across the country, but how do you protect your fleet? You need insurance, but you need a little bit more than that—you must protect the fleet. We have some common sense tips below that will help protect your fleet, avoid accidents, and keep your insurance costs down.
1. Roll Out a Fleet Safety Program
Making your business a “safety first” company is the only way to go when you want to safeguard your fleet. Remember, training your employees is often the most important thing you can do. As a result, it can be difficult to repeat the same advice over and over.
Instead, roll out a safety program that offers common sense advice to your team throughout the year. You’re not boring your drivers, but you’re covering topics that are good for everyone to review. Plus, you can release seasonal information that helps drivers keep particular dangers in mind as they drive in the hot summer, cold winters, rainy spring, and more.
2. Reward Safe Driving
Some of the money you saved on insurance and claims costs should be returned to your drivers. Pay small bonuses for safe driving. This is a simple tool you can use to get the attention of your team, and it has tangible benefits. You can even offer yearly bonuses for the safest drivers that are far greater than quarterly or monthly bonuses.
3. Make Safe Driving a Contest
Safe driving contests exist—why shouldn’t your business have its own contest? You can offer prizes, get the team together, and allow the drivers to learn from one another. Think of these contests as networking and team-building exercises—not just a simple competition.
4. Maintain Fleet Vehicles Fastidiously
You must do your part if you expect your team to drive safely. Maintain your vehicles fastidiously and never expect your drivers to hit the road in a vehicle that isn’t safe.
One of the easiest ways to get in an accident is to drive a vehicle that feels unsafe or that is not in top condition. Replace vehicles as needed, ground vehicles that need overhauls or major repairs, and use your commercial auto coverage to cover some of those costs.
5. Use Only the Best Vehicles
Whether you’re renting, leasing, or buying vehicles, you need to make sure they’re the best you can get. Spend the extra money to keep your drivers safe.
Drivers can see and feel the difference, and you will notice a shift in insurance costs when your fleet is newer and in much better condition. Sure, you pay more for newer vehicles, but they perform better and will not cost nearly as much over time. Why? Fewer accidents/incidents=lower premiums.
Plus, newer and nicer vehicles have more safety features and driver aids that aim to prevent accidents.
6. Insurance Specific to Your Work
Remember, you’re purchasing equipment breakdown insurance so that you can repair or replace items that have broken down. Work with our team to learn how carriers determine whether to repair or replace these items, the documentation you should carry for each device, and how you can help expedite the claims process.
Contact Caparo Insurance for More Information on Fleet Vehicle Insurance and Safety
Contact our team of insurance experts at Caparo to learn more about commercial auto and fleet Insurance. We offer a range of coverages from specialty carriers that will help your business save money and hedge against risk. We work closely with all our clients to ensure that they save money, and irrespective of the size of your fleet, there is a policy for you.
CATEGORY: Commercial Insurance • Contractor Insurance | August 4th, 2022 | BY: Pranjali Mhatre
