Western Truck Insurance Services

It has been determined that one of the most difficult things a buyer of truck insurance goes through is how to qualify the insurance broker.   All brokers are not alike and, especially with commercial truck insurance,  the differences can be staggering. 

So what’s a buyer to do ??

It has come to our attention that a recent independent study was done to address this issue.   In that study many areas are covered that deal with learning how to obtain the perfect coverage and pointing out some of the problems with insurance coverage in general but the best takeaway from it certainly is the detailed list of capabilities that a qualified commercial truck insurance broker should be able to do.

This listing solves the problem and all you need to do is inquire from the broker who you may already be using, or plan to use,  if they 1) understand the capabilties you are asking and 2) do actually perform those items.

Check out this link to see the preview of the full study and request it for free.  There is no charge for this vital information which will make your job in qualifying an insurance agent or broker much easier.  Goto:   http://truckinsure.com/slideshow2.html

For those of you in the know about the new harbor port clean truck program this posting will just reiterate what is happening.  For those of you not in the loop,,  read on….

Despite the pending litigation revolving around the Los Angeles/Long Beach harbor new rules and procedures in allowing trucks into the port,  the Clean Truck Program is being implemented.  The first date of importance is October 1, 2008.

On 10/1 the ports will not allow trucks in that are 1988 models or older.   BE FOREWARNED !

Also, on 10/1,  all trucks will need to be registered in the TRUCK DRAYAGE REGISTRY and all drivers will be required to have a Transportation Worked ID Card (TWIC).   TWIC enrollment center phone number is 866-347-8942.

Finally,  all trucking companies wishing access to pickup/deliver containers must complete the Drayage Services Concession Agreement and forward the appropriate SPECIAL ENDORSEMENTS to the City of Los Angeles for the General Liability, Auto Liability, and Workers Compensation Insurance coverages required.     This process is expected to take the port approximately 30 days to complete so if you don’t have it in by now you had better get cracking immediately !

These new port programs are all supposed to be in the name of environmental benefits to help us clean our air by utilizing newer and less polluting trucks.  The program has a phase-in period up to 2012 at which point only approved “clean” trucks will be allowed entry into the port.

Stay tuned as this process develops further.

With budgets tightening and truckers expenses increasing daily, today’s truckers and trucking fleets are succeeding by finding truck insurance brokers that offer more value added benefits for their hard-earned dollars. This blog post and upcoming posts will focus on high quality, no-cost, benefits that can directly impact your trucking business.

I will begin with your DOT safety record, which is a very important piece of information used by brokers. They check your record, which is available online, and then other data is accumulated and added to the equation, and presto… you have insurance quotes.

Now, Let’s assume for one second that your safety record is inaccurate. In addition to the probable increased costs for insurance and the expected hassles with the DOT, you will still have to deal with the problem of correcting the record. Don’t worry, there is help, and it’s provided at no additional cost by Western Truck Insurance Services.

Western Truck Insurance Services recently informed a client of the infractions listed within the DOT’s SafeStat system. The client was in disbelief to learn that one infraction was entered twice, with different dates, and seemed unsure of how to proceed. That’s when Western Truck Insurance instantly took initiative by filing a correction to the DOT. The client’s record was updated quickly, DOT safety score was lowered, and Western Truck Insurance was able to effectively provide a much more affordable insurance solution to the client, saving the client thousands of dollars per year.

How many brokers care enough to take on the task of helping you resolve inaccuracies? Western Truck Insurance does, and they offer so much more… at no additional cost.

Now that’s a great benefit.

Stay tuned… I’m just scratching the surface.

I just stumbled across an article concerning catering truck insurance for the lunch trucks we see around. That article claimed that there were not very many agents that offer insurance coverage for this type of operation.

That may be a true statement as your general personal lines insurance agent would not understand nor work with insurance company’s that offer this coverage.   The simple fact is that anyone purchasing insurance for commercial trucks SHOULD work with an experienced commercial truck insurance specialist and not your neighborhood Allstate or Farmers agent.

Generally, the commercial truck insurance brokers have plenty of access to insurance companies who will provide the proper coverage for the catering truck business.   And don’t forget to consider both general liability and workers compensation coverages…  because many a chef inside these trucks have been hurt.

Good luck and Good Eating!!

Watch Out for unscrupulous insurance agents/brokers who falsely scare unsuspecting truck operators that their insurance is cancelled.   I learned of an incident where a trucker was called by one of these “bad apple agents” and told their insurance policy was not going to be renewed and was being cancelled.   The frightened trucker was smart enough to call his insurance broker to see what was happening and the current broker explained there were no problems.

Be careful who you buy your truck insurance from. There are a bunch of scam artists who’ll do or say anything to mislead in order to make a sale.  Check out the agent before you buy insurance!

A quick tally on the pulse of the insurance professionals who specialize in placing insurance for the trucking industry reveals a strong need for quality sales people.

A regional business development manager from Great American Insurance Company recently stated that the brokers he works with are all looking for new producers, or sales people.  

This is an interesting development as this form of insurance sales is a great place to be working in; as far as insurance sales go.   The cost of truck insurance is relatively expensive and the commissions can add up fast as compared to personal auto or homeowners insurance sales.    The sales person needs to understand the trucking industry,  commercial trucks,  and the appropriate insurance coverage needed but this is relatively simple and can be learned in depth within 6 months.

Good sales people,  especially those already in insurance, should hunt down the high quality brokers who specialize in this line of insurance.   Take a look at this commercial truck insurance sales ad.

Truck insurance rates continue to spiral downward as the long term Truck Insurance providers compete with new Insurance Company entrants into this industry.  Rates are down, on average, about 15% last year from 2006 and it is expected to fall another 5-15% again this year. The home page of Western Truck Insurance shows how much their customers have saved on their rates from 2006 to 2007. Great news for owner operators and trucking companies. Let’s hope the trend continues.