Transportation Insurance Blog » Tow Truck Insurance

Safety: The First Line of Defense against Commercial Truck Accidents

royalty — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:07:32 +0000

At Royalty Truck Insurance, we do our best to make sure that all of our carriers are covered in the event of an accident. But accidents involving large trucks can be extremely serious, and though covering you and your trucks with liability insurance is essential, your insurance should only be your second line of defense against accidents; prevention and safety should be the first. Truck safety is of the utmost importance in avoiding serious injury or fatalities associated with commercial accidents, and it is imperative for all companies and drivers to ensure they are not putting themselves in compromising positions that can increase the risk of crashes.

If you check out some of the statistics posted by the US Department of Transportation, you’ll notice that it’s shocking how many commercial truck accidents that have occurred in recent years could have been prevented. In 2005 there were over 5,000 deaths and over 90,000 injuries reported as a result of commercial truck-related accidents. In recent years with similar statistics, it has been estimated that over 20% of these accidents occurred while excessive speeding was involved. It is important for truck drivers to obey traffic laws at all times, but probably more important for them to recognize that many drivers on the road will not. Always be attentive to the other drivers on the road around you, and if you notice reckless drivers or speeders, drive defensively and avoid them rather than reacting toward them aggressively.

To add to the speeding statistic, roughly 5% of drivers involved in large truck accidents were excessively fatigued, and another 2% were using alcohol or controlled substances. We always have pressure to hit deadlines and meet demand, but using substances to stay awake or trying to push through fatigue is extremely dangerous to driver awareness.
While you may think you need to make a quick delivery to get another job or handle another account, recognize that safety is much better business than risking accidents. Of all the accidents in 2005 that resulted in a fatality, the average cost of the truck crash was $3.6 million. The accidents that resulted in injuries averaged a cost of almost $200,000 per crash. The average cost per crash for all accidents combined was about $90,000. No amount of business able to be gained from rushing or pushing the limits of drivers outweighs the financial risks of a crash—not to mention the priceless loss of life that occurs far too many times per year.

So being up to date with a quality truck insurance policy that covers liability is essential, but don’t let the peace of mind it grants detract from your usual safety measures. Follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines and standards for safe driving, and always make sure that you’re staying alert and defensive while on the road. For a truck insurance qute please contact us to visit us online for a quick truck insurance quote.

Valentine’s Day For Every Truck Driver

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:43:57 +0000

Valentine’s Day is approaching and truck drivers are reaping the rewards of being on the road, afterall, Valentine’s Day is just a commercial holiday to boost diamond sales right? Valentine’s day, regardless of if you’re saving money or not, invoke thoughts of love, be it good or bad. We’ve put together a survival guide, if you will, for every driver.

For the Single Driver

You’ve got a CB use it! Take advantage of your tools, in love, communication is everything… so take a moment and write a poem or rehearse a song and then belt it across the CB. The opposite sex is on the other end and you may just get the opportunity to “woo” him or her into having dinner with you.
Place Classified Ads! You know what cities you’ll be visiting, so why not place local classified ads in the cities newspaper or online website? Who knows, maybe that perfect person that meets all of your demands is in one of the cities. Not only that, they’ll know the best places to eat outside of the truck stops.
Date online! Everything has gone from paper to internet, even dating! Yes, we said dating! Instead of handing a girl a “Check yes, no, or maybe” note, we send email or do things like… Sign up for online dating! It’s become so popular that now dating websites are specialized… And YES, that includes specialization towards truckers. Here are some of the sites:
Trucker Passions
Truckers Love Connection

For the Happily Single Driver
We know some of you are simply enjoying the single life on the road… You too, however, can get love by becoming a Trucker Buddy. OK, we know what you’re thinking, another dating site… NO! It’s actually a program in which truckers are teamed up with teachers in various schools and become pen pals with a classroom of students! It’s sort of like being a big brother or sister to a room of kids, and trust us, you’ll feel the love from the students who are captivated by the stories you tell them. Through writing letters about your job, where you’ve traveled and your experiences on the road, you help them learn map skills, letter writing skills, geography, and many other important lessons.

For The Married Driver
Being on the road is difficult on any marriage, even the strongest ones, so take advantage of Valentine’s Day with your wife or husband. Strategically plan a series of events to happen during Valentine’s Day, and with each thing, make sure there is a personalized note explaining why they are getting the surprise… here’s an example:

9AM — breakfast delivered to your love
10AM — flowers arrive to your love
11AM — massage therapist arrives for a 1 hr. relaxing
massage
12PM — lunch delivered
1 PM – nail and hair stylists arrive at the house
3 PM – Package arrives with presents galore

(dress/nice shirt/chocolates)

5 PM – Limo picks up your lover and takes them to a

    very nice dinner, where, if you’re available,
    you meet them…if not, send a DVD to the
    limo company of you reciting a poem to your
    loved one and telling them how much they
    mean to you.

If you can’t be there, make it a day they’ll never forget!

We’ve Got You Covered Over the Holidays!

royalty — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:45:49 +0000

Bad road conditions that come with the holiday winter months like snow, ice, wind, fog and rain can all be unwanted additions to your route. Preparation and awareness can help ease your mind during your journey through winter wonderlands. Making sure that your insurance is up-to-date is one of the first things you should assess going into the winter months, especially when traveling through areas where you’ll be inclined to tackle the poor road conditions.

We want to make sure that you are fully covered and prepared to conquer any road and weather condition you may encounter. The last thing you want is to be unprepared, uninsured, or worse under-insured in an emergency situation. Give us a call today or get a new quote, so that we may evaluate your insurance plan and make sure that you are efficiently covered in all necessary aspects of your insurance.

New to Truck Driving? Here are some tid bits that you must know.

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:28:01 +0000

These tips coming from the US Department of Transportation.
Reference: Part 387 Minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor carriers
Overview: The training module is designed to educate the executive staff of motor carrier companies on the FMCSA regulation on the minimum levels of necessary financial responsibility
Purpose: The purpose of these regulations is to create incentives for motor carriers to maintain and operate their vehicles in a safe manner and to maintain an appropriate level of financial responsibility.
Applicability:

Motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials, hazardous substances or hazardous wastes. For-hire motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce. For-Hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate or foreign commerce. Private motor carriers domiciled in Mexico transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce.
Financial Responsibility: Having insurance policies or surety bonds sufficient to satisfy the minimum public liability requirements { Royalty Truck Insurance can provide you with both. You can receive a quote online http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/?id=truck-insurance-quote or call us at Toll Free: 1-866-989-8998 }
Public Liability: Public Liability means liability for bodily injury, property damage and environmental restoration.
Environmental Restoration: Environmental Restoration means restitution for the loss, damage, or destruction of natural resources arising out of an accidental discharge of toxic or other environmentally harmful materials or liquids
Definitions of terms relating to FMCSA financial responsibility regulations can be seen at:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.5.htm
and/or
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.29.htm
Requirements: Motor carriers must have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. A list of the minimum requirements can be seen at:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.9.htm
and/or
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.33.htm
Proof: Proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained at the motor carrier’s principle place of business. All vehicles operating in the U.S. must have a legible copy of the proof of the required financial responsibility. All motor vehicle in which there is no evidence of financial responsibility shall be denied entry into the U.S.
Examples of Proof:
Form MCS-90
Form MCS-82
Form MCS-90B
Form MCS- 82B
For more information or clarification please call Royalty Truck Insurance 1-866-989-8998

Tips for Financial Responsibility and Truck Insurance Information

admin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:12:30 +0000

These tips coming from the US Department of Transportation.Reference: Part 387 Minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor carriers

Overview: The training module is designed to educate the executive staff of motor carrier companies on the FMCSA regulation on the minimum levels of necessary financial responsibility

Purpose: The purpose of these regulations is to create incentives for motor carriers to maintain and operate their vehicles in a safe manner and to maintain an appropriate level of financial responsibility.

Applicability:

Financial Responsibility: Having insurance policies or surety bonds sufficient to satisfy the minimum public liability requirements { Royalty Truck Insurance can provide you with both. You can receive a quote online http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/?id=truck-insurance-quote or call us at Toll Free: 1-866-989-8998

Public Liability: Public Liability means liability for bodily injury, property damage and environmental restoration.

Environmental Restoration: Environmental Restoration means restitution for the loss, damage, or destruction of natural resources arising out of an accidental discharge of toxic or other environmentally harmful materials or liquids

Definitions of terms relating to FMCSA financial responsibility regulations can be seen at:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.5.htm

and/or

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.29.htm

Requirements: Motor carriers must have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. A list of the minimum requirements can be seen at:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.9.htm

and/or

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.33.htm

Proof: Proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained at the motor carrier’s principle place of business. All vehicles operating in the U.S. must have a legible copy of the proof of the required financial responsibility. All motor vehicle in which there is no evidence of financial responsibility shall be denied entry into the U.S.

Examples of Proof:

Form MCS-90

Form MCS-82

Form MCS-90B

Form MCS- 82B

For more information or clarification please call Royalty Truck Insurance 1-866-989-8998