It is understandable why people attempt this crime: the payout can be enormous. Accident settlements can bring tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the chance of backfire is even more risky. Faking an insurance claim can bring penalties that far outweigh the reward, with thousands in fines and legal fees with jail time added on top.

Take the following case from Florida that occurred just over a month ago…

Florida Insurance Fraud

In Tallahassee on March 27, 2012, the Florida Department of Financial Services made a decision regarding a fraud investigation from the past two years.

The 15 defendants have been arrested for crimes that include ripping off more than $800,000 in fraudulent property damage and claims for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims. Between 2008 and 2010, the crime ring staged over a dozen incidents.

The scam involved food trucks that recruited people to pose as owners and then stage accidents. They then reported the accident and committed the truck insurance fraud.

Crime Doesn’t Pay

The biggest issue is that it was really easy for the Department of Financial Services to track the criminals down. With so many similar occurrences of food trucks getting wrecked, it was actually a simple case.

Like I mentioned, insurance fraud is attempted on every agent, with very poor results. With years of experience, we can use photos from the accident to determine when the whole scenario has been faked.

Royalty Truck Insurance is a leader in the industry. Call us today for a free quote for your vehicle or to ask what services we offer. Follow us on Twitter @royaltytruckins

The truck was stopped near the Utah border after it was discovered that one of the automobiles wasn’t registered on the truck’s shipping records. While inspecting the cars, troopers found 139 pounds of grass in one car trunk and 102 pounds in another.

Truck driver Hazem Izzat, was arrested, although it is unclear whether the trucker, the company he works for, or a combination of the two are liable.

Early estimates have the pot valued around $1.7 million. It is believed that the cargo was headed from California to Detroit.

Commercial Truck Insurance

There are a lot of situations that your commercial truck insurance agent can get you out of, but criminal cases are not included. If you choose to haul illegal substances, that risk is on you.

But Royalty can save your rear end in numerous other emergencies. If you are involved in a car accident, we are here to insure your vehicle and your cargo. Likewise, if your truck is the victim of a fire, vandalism, or other unforeseen event, there are commercial truck insurance packages that cover the damages. Check out Royalty Truck Insurance for yourself to find the coverage your business needs.

Follow Royalty on Twitter @RoyaltyTruckIns for more trucking news and like this story about a trucking company falsifying its work logs.

The American Trucking Association released its index, stating that shipment weights for commercial trucks rose 6.8% in December 2011 for November. This may seem likely due to the holiday season, but numbers are season-adjusted  and accurately reflect an increase.

In addition, the full year of 2011 saw an increase of 5.9% from the previous year. This is the largest such increase since 1998.

Causes of Weight Shipment Increases

So what is causing the weight of shipments to increase? The simple answer: the earth’s gravitational field is increasing, thus making objects weigh more than they once did.

Okay, maybe that solution is not simple, nor is it practical.

The real answer is that the weight increase is the result of a reversal in post-recession spending habits. Stores that were afraid to over-commit to stock-piling merchandise are now more confident to fill their storage rooms with extra products. While this inventory increase is an optimistic sign, it in no way suggests that America is fully recovered from the recession.

The 5.9% weight rise also suggests that manufacturers are more confident to produce and ship more items. They had to cut back their business in 2008 and 2009 out of fears that merchandise would go unsold, but those concerns are subsiding.

Commercial Truck Insurance

With the recession’s effects diminishing (for now), it would appear that the trucking industry has gotten some positive news. This could mean an increase in positions and the necessity for additional vehicles. Of course, this means more commercial truck insurance policies. Check out Royalty for terrific comprehensive commercial truck insurance plans. And visit our blog for more weekly Trucking News.

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States Plan to Change Camera Ticket Laws

In Connecticut, Senators are pushing for the adoption of red-light traffic tickets similar to other states. These tickets would be as high as $124, with 30% going to the state and the rest to the community.

Like other states who have adopted this law, the belief is that the threat of ticket would prevent drivers from running red lights.

Washington State already has these laws in place, but wants to expand them to all communities, along with yearly reports detailing accident prevention and effects of the red-light cameras.

Iowa, Florida, and Missouri are actually opposed to the measure and seek to remove cameras and reverse the ruling, comparing it to “Big Brother.”

Natural Gas Prices Drop; Oil Prices Rising

Going green has never been more beneficial to commercial truck businesses as diesel and oil prices continue to climb and natural gas decreases.

Obviously you can’t just switch, because you will need to buy brand new vehicles to take advantage of these prices. But as companies find themselves replacing old vehicle, it will be a common theme to see them finding greener technology, as explained in a previous column about hybrid trucks.

Natural gas is cleaner burning, has a smaller carbon footprint, and is safer, but it is also harder to find. Whereas most gas stations have diesel, only a select few stock natural gas. Finding it is half the battle. But as oil become more expensive, perhaps gas stations will find no other choice than to start offering natural gas.

Commercial Truck Insurance

For more trucking news, check out our blog where we post weekly articles for your convenience. If you are looking for commercial truck insurance, talk to a Royalty employee about lowering your rates.

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Before you even start, make sure to scrape all ice off of the windshield, windows, mirrors, and headlights. This will optimize your visibility while driving.

Items to Pack

In addition, there are some extra supplies you need to bring with you before departing in case of an emergency:

Flash light and gloves: These will help you change a tire or repair your vehicle when it is cold and dark outside.

Blankets: If you get stranded, these will prevent you from getting chilled.

Extra food: You will need carbs to survive if you cannot leave your truck for a few days, in case you get stuck in a snow bank.

Snow chains: It is easier to put these on before your journey, but ensure you have them regardless and know which states require them.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

Maintain a full tank of gas. Keeping you tank as full as possible reduces condensation in fuel tanks. If you stop at a gas station to stretch and relax, fill your tank before resting.

Be cautious: Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. Reduced friction on the road, coupled with increased risk of running into a sudden accident, means you want as much stopping time as possible.

Slow Down!: Adjust your speed based on your current situation, like road and weather conditions, rather than speed signs and maintaining a schedule. This means avoiding using the cruise control to determine your speed.

Be prepared: Know about approaching truck stops and have a sense of when the weather is supposed to get worse.

Truck Insurance

Remember that sloppy driving doesn’t just put you at risk; it also is a threat to your fellow drivers on the road. Also, poor and negligent driving can have the consequence of raising your truck insurance rates. Employees with high truck insurance have a harder time getting hired, because they cost more to insure. This winter, drive smart and stay safe.

Check out our Blog with articles like this one about the trucking jobs added in 2011. And follow Royalty on Twitter for more news and truck tips @RoyaltyTruckIns

Form MCS-90

The Form MCS-90 is financial responsibility for motor carriers. This is broken down into three parts.

Financial responsibility is an assurance that a truck driver has the minimum in insurance policies and surety bonds to cover public liability requirements.

Public liability covers bodily injury, property damage, and environmental restoration.

Environmental restoration is the repayment for the destruction of natural resopurces due to a discharge of harmful or toxic chemicals.

In order to have full financial responsibility coverage, the drivers of commercial and inter-state vehicles must have at least the minimum amount of truck insurance that the law requires. This protects all parties in case of an accident.

Proof of Coverage

In order to prove that you possess the minimum coverage, keep  one or more of the following with your truck at all times:

• MCS-90 Form
• Endorsements for Motor Carriers policies that is issued by insurance agency under the Motor Carriers Act of 1980
• Motor Carrier Surety Bond that is s=issued by a surety
• A written authorization from the Interstate Commerce Comission authorizing you to self-insure your vehicle.

Commercial Truck Insurance

Filling out all of the paperwork to make sure that your vehicle is working within the law can be stressful. Luckily, your commercial truck insurance agent can lend a hand by doing all of the fillings. At Royalty, we dot the i’s and cross the t’s, along with all of the other writing. Choose us for all of your commercial truck insurance needs.

Our Truck Insurance Blog has great articles on recent news in the industry, as well as tips, like this one on losing weight.

Follow us on Twitter for more info @RoyaltyTruckIns

The First Slavic Truck Fair was conceived from a 2010 idea to hold a nation-wide poetry and music competition for truck drivers. This contest yielded over a hundred submissions and led to the creation of this exciting cultural event, allowing truckers to creatively express the intricacies of their profession. Winners received monetary prizes and national recognition from their piers in the trucking industry.

The all-day affair included concerts with musicians performing for the general public, games, food, arts and crafts booths, and souvenirs. In addition, business portions of the day where commercial truck insurance agents, truckers, construction and hauling companies, and auto repairmen could meet and establish new connections and contracts proved quite valuable.

Participants in the First Slavic Truck Fair received a free CD compiled of the best submitted songs. All in all, it was an exciting, successful day for everyone involved!

Royalty Truck Insurance

Royalty Truck Insurance was proud for our part in the First Slavic Truck Fair. Our booth was a popular attraction and all of our employees had truckloads of fun (pun intended)!

View our pictures from the event posted below and check out our Truck Insurance Blog where we post industry articles, announcements, and policy changes. Last week, the drop in price for diesel was discussed.

Along with the common truck maintenance procedures, you should also follow this winter auto checklist to keep your truck and drivers safe. Don’t let freezing temperatures, snow, hail, and slippery roads harm your truck and cause your commercial truck insurance rates to increase.

1) Check your antifreeze: One of the first things you should do is check your antifreeze. This fluid is crucial to winter maintenance. Make sure that your vehicle has a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water so your radiator doesn’t freeze when temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) Buy snow tires: Some cars may be able to get away with just having deep-treaded tires, but trucks are a beast unto themselves. You need the safest possible measures to ensure nobody gets hurt and no damage is done. Either the studded tires or super deep treads are both acceptable, but one or the other is necessary.

3) Maintain clear visuals: One of the most important aspects of driving in a snow storm is being able to see. Replace old windshield wipers and replace windshield washer fluid. Both of these will keep your front windshield clear and your truck inside the dashed lines.

4) Change brake pads: The last thing you want affecting your stoppage time is bad brakes. Snow is one thing; worn-down brakes are another.

5) Equip your truck with emergency gear: If you do not already have emergency gear somewhere in your truck, now is the time to do it. Along with a flashlight and jumper cables, make sure you have gloves and boots, in case you have to work in the snow.

Commercial Truck Insurance

For more information on commercial truck insurance, winter auto checklists, or getting a quote, visit our Blog where we post helpful articles that provide expert insight, like this one about reporting a claim.

Follow us on Twitter for more updates to commercial truck insurance policies @RoyaltyTruckIns

But there are precautions you can take that will help prevent an accident from ever happening, so that you will not have to deal with filling out forms, getting your truck repaired, having your claims checked, or recovering from an injury.

Here are some common truck maintenance procedures that will help relieve long-term stress.

1) Change the oil: Sometimes, the simplest things cause the most trouble. While every automobile requires its oil to be changed, it is often ignored. And commercial vehicles are pushed even harder than private ones, making this trivial task even more essential. A good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 2 to 3 thousand miles with high quality motor oil.

2) Rotate and replace tires: One of the most dangerous accidents occurs when large semi-trucks blow a tire and skid off the road. Without proper traction, it is difficult for the truck driver to control, and semis can cause a lot of damage to fellow drivers. Rotate tires every 3,000 miles, which will give the auto-mechanic an opportunity to check the brakes and brake pads as well. In addition, you can check the air pressure on a weekly basis to ensure it meets standards. When tread gets worn down, replace the tires before an accident happens.

3) Change transmission fluid: When hauling a load, transmissions wear out faster than a normal car, nearly ½ the rate. Changing the transmission fluid and filter are an important procedure to prevent this from occurring. It is recommended that you change fluid every 25,000 miles, in order to prevent having to replace the entire transmission.

4) Check coolants: Commercial trucks run more frequently without stopping, making them overheat more regularly. Automatic transmissions require even more attentions. Check your coolants on a normal basis.

5) Do not rely on computers or scheduled maintenance: Modern truck have computers onboard that tell you when situations arise, fluids must be changed, and the engine needs to be checked. But don’t let a blinking light on your dashboard dictate when you perform truck maintenance. Also, some drivers wait for scheduled appointments with mechanics. This may let a problem sneak through the cracks, only to rear its ugly head at an unfortunate time. Don’t rely on schedules or computers, perform regular maintenance.

Commercial Truck Insurance

With these tips, hopefully you can take better care of your truck maintenance and prevent a major accident that may raise your cost for commercial truck insurance.

If you would like to speak to a commercial truck insurance provider, contact Royalty Truck Insurance. And keep up with our weekly blog, with entries like this one on how to report a claim when you get into an accident.

Follow us on Twitter @RoyaltyTruckIns

So what’s up?!

The first question truck drivers ask is “why should I do any work at all when the police officer is filing an official report?” While this is true, the driver should still take responsibility to ensure the optimal outcome.

According to estimates, about 30% of truck accidents are never reported. There are many reasons for this, so let’s take a look at a few.

The Truck Driver is at Fault

A common reason to not report an accident is that you are to blame. Either you feel embarrassed and do not want to confess to your mistake, possibly because you fear losing your job, or maybe you hope the damage is so miniscule it will not be noticed.

Let me say, you should ALWAYS report an accident. The consequences of trying to cover up an accident and being exposed are usually worse than facing them to begin with.

Even in small, seemingly harmless truck accidents, another driver could decide to take advantage and sue, claiming injury. Inform your boss or commercial truck insurance agent before this happens, so you can be prepared. Getting written or signed statements is an even better way to prevent this scenario.

And never feel embarrassed. These things happen to everyone and are unavoidable. But you will make a case go from unfortunate to awful if you get caught lying about the details.

The Other Driver is at Fault

If the truck driver does not need to feel guilty or ashamed, then why would he or she not fill out a thorough report?

The simple answer: laziness.

Of course, this lackadaisical attitude could be due to many factors, such as anger and frustration, confusion and terror, or even an injury, like a concussion.

Regardless of the excuses, it is still necessary for you to collect a detailed report for truck insurance purposes. Here are a list of basic steps that you should follow when retrieving data.

Firstly, find out if you or any other people involved in the accident have been harmed. If need be, call an ambulance or the police to assist.

Next, you will need to ensure that you conduct business safely. This means pulling both vehicles off of the road, if possible, and proceeding from a location that does not expose you or the other driver to further injury.

Once you are completely safe, you may begin collecting information. Royalty Truck Insurance provides those we ensure with a report form for accidents, on which you will want to note the time, date, and location of the incident. Then write down the license plates, names, contact information, and insurance providers of everyone involved. You want to do this before the police arrive, because afterwards they may separate everyone, making it difficult to obtain. The police will also follow this up with their own investigation, but still collect it for your own records.

One piece of advice: do not discuss who is to blame or whose fault it was. This may cause strife between the parties and lead to uncooperative behavior.

In addition, if you have a camera, either in your glove box or on your cell phone, take pictures of the damages, license plates, scenery and people.

After everything has been compiled, the truck driver should write up a detailed report, along with a diagram showing what happened. Then this information can be forwarded to the truck insurance agency for processing. On average, reports filed faster tend to get settled at a lower cost than those that are undetailed or reported later.

Thoroughness, speed, and attention to detail will surely pay off for you in the long run following an accident.

Commercial Truck Insurance

For more information about commercial truck insurance, including reporting, coverage packages, and what your business needs, read our Commercial Truck Insurance Blog. This article describes how to protect your employees.

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