The FMCSA’s goal is to make the roads safer – they regulate the trucking industry with safety as a top priority. Trucks are subject to many different laws, regulations, and requirements. Inspections can be stressful, but they are inevitable. Trucking safety is important, and that includes the proper handling of hazardous materials. That’s why there’s an entire BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category) about it, and it’s called, unsurprisingly, the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC. We’ll go over what you need to know about this particular BASIC.
Business Insurance
Your business is unique and you face your own specific risks and dangers, but we can help make sure you’re protected. Every business needs a business insurance policy that’s customized specifically for its needs. At InsuranceHub, we believe in creating a policy that’s built with your business in mind. We know that insurance can get complicated. So, one of our goals is to make the process as easy as possible.
We want to be more than just an insurance company to you. Whether you need a business owner’s policy, general liability, or property insurance, InsuranceHub is here to help. Each of these types of coverages does something different, but we’ll help you figure out which ones are right for you. You’ve worked really hard to build your business, so let us help you protect it.
Working with owner-operators as a motor carrier
If you’re a motor carrier, you probably work with owner-operators. They’re an essential part of the trucking world. (You could even say that they’re a cog in the machine that keeps the transportation industry running smoothly.) But though they make the world go round, owner-operators can be an issue for you as a motor carrier if they start affecting your insurance rates. The questions are why they can negatively impact your rates and what you should consider when you partner with owner-operators.
What is the Unsafe Driving BASIC?
When it comes to driving a commercial motor vehicle, it’s important to operate the vehicle in the safest manner possible. Drivers need to be very careful as they drive, as the FMCSA takes safety seriously. There are seven categories called the BASICs (Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Category). One of those BASICs is called the Unsafe Driving BASIC, and it’s definitely a very important one. We’ll explain what this BASIC covers and how you can improve.
How to get contractor insurance
Whether you’re a 1099 worker or you own your own contracting company, you know that there are tons of risks to worry about in your industry. There are also tons of regulations and expectations from your customers that you have to follow. One way you can put regulators and customers at ease is with the right insurance. But navigating contractors’ insurance can be tough and time-consuming, especially with such a busy schedule. So, here are some tips on how to get the best contractor insurance for your business.
How to improve in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC
The trucking world comes with a lot of regulations, especially when it comes to maintaining the truck itself. You and your drivers need to make sure you’re taking care of your vehicles and following all relevant federal regulations. There is even an FMCSA BASIC Category (Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Category) called Vehicle Maintenance. We’re going to go over what the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC is and how you can improve in this category.
Your DOT Number matters
Truck businesses with clean loss records might wonder why their insurance costs so much. Maybe there aren’t any speeding tickets accidents on your record, but you’re still seeing rates that are higher than what they could be. Your DOT Number might be the reason why. Your business’s DOT Number keeps track of violations you have received, which can hurt your insurance situation. Your DOT Number has a big effect on your insurance rates.
Attending the Slow Down, Move Over rally in Alabama
At the invitation of Wes Passmore, operator of Classic Towing and Recovery, I attended the Slow Down, Move Over rally in Hueytown, Alabama. The rally was held to bring awareness to the dangers of being a tow operator on the side of the road in traffic. Though there are state laws requiring drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, plenty of drivers don’t. That results in tow operators getting injured and even killed while they’re working on the side of the road.
Women in trucking: How can you hire more women truck drivers?
The trucking industry has been facing a truck driver shortage, and some have proposed that hiring more women could be part of the solution to the problem. But despite the fact that there’s definitely room for more women in trucking, it can be difficult to persuade more women to become truck drivers. We’ll go over some of the obstacles that prevent women from entering the industry, and we’ll also go over some tips for truck companies to keep in mind if they want to hire more women.
New venture doesn’t mean new driver
I have been writing transportation insurance for quite a while and one of the things that I hear most from my customers is, “Why is the premium so high when I am not a new driver?” Great question. There isn’t a clear answer though. You will find that the world of trucking insurance can feel cruel toward you and your business, whether you are starting out or have had a trucking business in the past and are now returning. Sometimes life happens and we must move with it. Tough decisions need to be made.
What air conditioning contractors need to know about risk
Air conditioning contractors handle many different kinds of work. You might install or repair AC units, or maybe you do duct work and vent work. You might work with air filtration and ventilation, or perhaps you also work with heating units. Maybe you do all of the above! At any rate, you’ve got your fair share of risk that you need to be protected from. The first step of combatting and mitigating risk is understanding where that risk comes from, so we’re going to go over where you should be on the lookout from risk.