Running a tow truck business is hard work. It takes a certain kind of person to succeed as a tow truck operator. You have to be extremely driven (pun intended) and very determined. Multi-tasking and juggling are key – you have to manage your employees, maintain the tow trucks, pay the bills, organize the paperwork. Needless to say, you’re a busy person. But guess what? We’ve got some tips for running a successful tow truck business.
1. Put safety first. Always.
As the fearless leader of your business, you’ve got to lead the way when it comes to safety at your company. By improving safety in your tow truck business, you can prevent claims and accidents. Not only will you be keeping your people safe and out of harm’s way, but you can also lower your tow truck insurance rates. Fewer claims mean that you’re less of a risk.
Here are some quick tips for improving safety:
- Hold safety meetings.
- Emphasize training.
- Set up a pre-trip vehicle inspection procedure.
- Take steps to eliminate distracted driving in your business.
- Establish workplace safety policies.
2. Create an employee handbook to outline your workplace safety policies.
Setting up workplace safety policies for your business can help you lay out your expectations for safe driving behavior. You can communicate your workplace policies – and the consequences of breaking them – in an employee handbook. It’s a place to clarify and explain all of your policies, including matters like time off, work hours, vacation, sick days, and so on. By communicating your expectations and disciplinary measures in writing, you can ensure that all of your employees are aware of them.
A quick note:
You may want to get some legal guidance and advice when creating your employee handbook. There are many state and federal laws that you need to follow concerning your employees, so it’s probably best to get some professional legal help with creating your employee handbook to make sure you’re not unintentionally breaking any employment regulations.
3. Be careful when you’re hiring tow truck drivers.
It’s important to make sure that you’re hiring the best tow truck drivers. Your drivers are one of the factors that influence your tow truck insurance rates. You need to hire people who are willing to put effort and time into safety, and you need drivers that will be careful and responsible behind the wheel. Yes, it might take some time, but you need to hire the right people.
4. Train your drivers.
By having a thorough training process, you can equip your drivers with the tools they need to stay safe on the job. For new drivers, training can provide knowledge about the dangers of towing and how to minimize hazards. Even your experienced drivers could still use refresher courses on safety – one can never stop learning about safety.
5. Set up a pre-trip vehicle inspection procedure.
Having a pre-trip vehicle inspection procedure means your drivers are taking the time to check over their vehicle before every job. That can help your driver become aware of any problems with the tow truck before those problems make the truck unsafe. By establishing a protocol for pre-trip vehicle inspections in which everything is logged in writing, you can improve safety and head off accidents caused by unsafe trucks.
6. Establish a preventive maintenance program.
Similar to pre-trip vehicle inspections, preventive maintenance can help you make sure that your vehicles are roadworthy and safe as can be. Preventive maintenance means getting your trucks checked over by a trustworthy mechanic on a regular basis. This can help you keep your trucks safe – and it can help you address issues and have them fixed before they turn into a costly repair bill.
7. Get the right tow truck insurance for your business.
As the owner of a tow truck business, getting the right tow truck insurance is crucial. If one of your drivers gets into an accident, having the right coverage can make a huge difference. There are many different types of insurance for tow trucks out there, from auto liability to garagekeepers to physical damage insurance, and it’s essential you have the right coverages and limits to fully protect your business.
It’s also a good idea to shop for your tow truck insurance to make sure you’re getting great coverage for a great rate. Shopping around and getting multiple quotes allows you to compare coverages and pricing, and it can also help you save money on your tow truck insurance. Not sure what coverages and limits are right for you? Wondering where to start shopping for your rates? No worries – our agents can help with all of that. We have an entire team of towing insurance professionals that would be happy to help with your insurance. Get in touch with us by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call today.
Source:
https://thetowacademy.com/modifying-behavior-with-a-policies-and-procedures-manual/