Insurance & Risk Management, sponsored by Reliance Partners, is a weekly look at how trucking operations of all sizes, including owner-operators, can minimize their exposure to risk and insurance claims. More information on Reliance Partners’ offerings can be found here.
Craig Leinauer of Travelers Insurance discusses the rise of organized cargo theft and freight laundering rings that are leaving drivers, carriers and even brokers liable for millions of dollars in losses.
Telematics is leading the way in efforts to gain control over trucking insurance premiums.
Each carrier has different needs, and reporting-style insurance can provide flexibility.
Insurance varies among countries, so knowing where a policy should be underwritten is key.
It could be the end of the freight recession. What does that mean for 2025?
Cargo insurance is one of the top expenses for carriers, but what does it really do and why is it so important?
Hurricanes, cargo theft, double brokering, and accidents all can negatively impact insurance rates.
Dangerous winter road conditions are on the way. Drivers need to prepare ahead of time to stay safe.
Changes are coming to prohibited classifications at the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
With fraud on the rise, verifying carriers has become one of the top ways shippers can fight fraud on the front lines.
Knowing the signs of a potential market flip is half the battle in preparing for the future.
Rigorous driver hiring standards are proving to be more than just a safety measure — they’re a strategic tool for managing insurance costs.
Thin margins and unpredictable risks are the norm, and trucking companies are increasingly turning to captive insurance plans to address those challenges.
Reliance Partners’ Modernization of Cross Border Trade event Aug. 6 will spotlight ways to improve cross-border operations through collaboration and relationships.
Fundraising doesn’t sleep, and there’s no better time to get the holiday spirit than July.
Insurance rates continue to rise despite a down freight market. What does the future of mitigating insurance rates look like?
Cargo insurance rates in Mexico are wildly different from the U.S. Mark Vickers breaks down the differences.
Insurance rates go up after accidents.There are ways to hold the line on those costs.
International Roadcheck has two key areas of concern this year. Knowing how to prepare is crucial.
Building a strong driver training program pays dividends in the long run.
Being prepared on the road removes the panic when trucking accidents happen.
In an environment where theft is a growing issue, knowing what’s covered is crucial.
Despite their lack of performance documentation, B-1 drivers bring a unique value proposition to the table.
Motor carriers’ insurance rates show little sign of slowing down.
The newest regulation on insurance in New Jersey brings uncertainty to the motor carrier world.
This ambiguous landscape makes it even more crucial for 3PLs to understand what their cargo insurance does — and does not — cover.
Reliance Partners Executive Vice President of Sales Jackson Alexander believes that understanding the underwriters point of view can help carriers navigate the insurance renewal process.
Despite often being more dangerous in nature, cargo-related crimes in Mexico receive a fraction of the attention that is afforded to similar issues happening in the U.S. and Canada.
Despite what Reliance Partners CFO Thom Albrecht has dubbed a “brutal winter,” supply chain companies can look forward to renewed hope as the market begins to shift in the spring and summer.
In light of the growing prevalence of cybersecurity breaches, the Biden administration issued a mandate requiring all federal agencies to conduct multifactor authentication as part of the government’s zero trust security strategy.
Improper cargo securement can result in out-of-service violations and fines. Further, unsecured cargo can fall onto the road, causing significant risk of injury or even death to motorists.
Because of the freight boom in recent years, many smaller carriers, especially those that were new entrants to the industry, fell into unsafe practices.
“When you see fleets double in size in a very short period of time, typically they haven’t grown on the inside as well as the outside, and that’s a very dangerous combination,” Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels said.
Reliance Partners brings per-load Shipper’s Interest coverage to freight brokers and carriers to their TMS, providing protection on cross-border, international, LTL and high-value shipments.
An integration among Reliance Partners, Loadsure and McLeod lets asset-based motor carriers and freight brokers obtain A-rated all-risk cargo insurance on a per-load basis directly from their TMS.
Over the past two years, cyber liability insurance has become an important strategy for many freight brokers as they’ve recognized the importance of having a plan to fall back on.
Reliance Partners’ Mark Barlar shares what carriers and drivers should know before they submit their first DataQs request.
“I understand that there are times the phone can’t be answered or there are other priorities pulling dispatchers away, but try to keep communication open,” Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels said.
Reliance Partners’ Borderless Coverage program provides shippers and logistics service providers of all sizes with coverage from the moment of pickup in the U.S. to final delivery in Mexico.
Like all technology, ELDs can malfunction. When that happens, drivers need to know what to do to stay compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
When drivers are recognized for their hard work, they’re more likely to feel satisfaction at their jobs, and it gives them a reason to work toward company goals.
Over 57% of roadside inspections result in at least one violation. Reliance Partners’ director of DOT regulatory compliance shares regulations that drivers and carriers commonly overlook.
Reliance Partners’ VP of risk services breaks down what motor carriers need to know about FMCSA safety ratings.
While carriers are usually responsible for paying for claims, claim disputes burden freight brokers with more work — and they might end up footing the bill due to coverage gaps. Reliance Partners can help.
o prepare for a compliance review, motor carriers should rely on the expertise of a third-party expert that understands the nuances of how FMCSA determines safety ratings.
The VP of safety at Reliance Partners joined Dooner during Monday’s episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? to discuss trends that could be contributing to crash fatalities.
Reliance Partners’ Kevin Dupree sheds light on what underwriters look for when determining a company’s or driver’s insurance risk.
“Unfortunately there are still drivers on the road that give the rest a bad name. We’re as an industry looking to change that perception,” Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle said.
Freight brokers can “increase their capacity by managing their own dedicated pool of leased trailers,” said Graham Gonzales, vice president of strategic accounts at Reliance Partners. Reliance is America’s fastest growing and most diverse insurance brokerage with a sole focus on the transportation space, specializing in annual and usage-based solutions.
The potential for higher pay and less idle time is appealing. However, constantly sharing a confined space with another person doesn’t work for everyone.
Reliance Partners’ CFO, Thomas Albrecht, warns about the underestimated impact of the ongoing bank crisis on the freight community. Discover how loan activity, interest rates, and funding for truckers and carriers may be affected.
“Some companies, not all, are willing to roll the dice on things like safety and maintenance to try to save money. But, when it comes to safety, neglecting small things can turn into big things,” Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels said.
In just a few weeks, law enforcement personnel across North America will be posted at roads, weigh stations and designated inspection areas to conduct thousands of inspections during CVSA’s 2023 International Roadcheck.
“There have been companies that have introduced [dashcams] with great success and haven’t lost any drivers at all, and then there are other companies that have lost quite a few drivers because of it,” Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels said.
Cargo insurance is vital protection for carriers, but preventing damages in the first place, like these tips from Reliance Partners, can help them avoid cash payouts and maintain trust with shippers and customers.
“If there comes a time when you have a crash and attorneys or law enforcement start digging into your records and find falsifications, it’s all going to come to the surface,” said Brian Runnels, vice president of safety at Reliance Partners.
Does your business distinguish the difference between policy and guidance? Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels explains why it should.
The best way to attract and encourage safety practices within an organization begins with a top-down approach, according to Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle.
Do you know what’s on your PSP record? Reliance Partners’ Mark Barlar shares insight into the story it tells about a driver, how it informs hiring decisions and what drivers can do about it.
By implementing a strong safety and compliance program — like Reliance Partners can help them build — carriers can minimize risk and pay less for insurance.
The once zero-point violation could cost carriers at least three points in a roadside inspection and potentially many more, according to Reliance Partners’ Mark Barlar.
“It’s possible to be one of the driver’s best allies, and if you have that sort of relationship with your driver, it makes the hard conversations much easier,” Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels said.
“As a driver, you make your living off your license to drive a tractor-trailer, so it’s critical to make sure it’s in a good standing,” said Robert Kaferle, vice president of safety at Reliance Partners.
Truck drivers should approach bridges and underpasses with caution when the temperature hovers at or below freezing.
“It’s just not going to be a very fun year, and truckers need to be a little bit more realistic about it,” says Reliance Partners’ Thom Albrecht.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels says that a disorganized permit book is a red flag to roadside inspectors.
Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle stresses the importance of continual training because no one knows everything — no matter how long you’ve been in the industry.
You don’t have to tackle your safety goals alone. Partner with a safety expert that can develop a plan with realistic and attainable objectives.
“Getting involved in state and national organizations is a great way to make an impact and make your voice heard,” said Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels adds a few steps to your pre-trip inspection to combat harsh winter weather.
Reliance Partners’ Mark Barlar provides a crash course on the DataQs process.
Reliance Partners will dive into B-1 driver-specific violations and DataQ challenges.
COO Laura Ann Howell plans rapid growth and expects “HQ West” to be Reliance Partners’ second-largest branch.
Reliance Partners’ Graham Gonzales urges 3PLs to build more trust with shipper clients and warns against putting insurance on the chopping block.
“Violations that occur as a result of an accident are not supposed to count toward your CSA score,” says Reliance Partners executive Robert Kaferle.
“You can’t challenge a piece of missing information that’s required; it’s either there or it’s not.”
A Borderless Coverage risk management strategy equips shippers for Mexico’s many challenges.
Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle details the gear every trucker should have to survive an emergency situation this winter.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels discusses the trickiness of lanes.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels reacts to the results of this year’s International Roadcheck. He ponders whether drivers should take all the heat, but also says greater action can always be taken to mitigate violations.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels wades through the weeds of the driver pay debate.
Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle explains why it’s important to bring your driver and dispatcher together more often.
A new headquarters and a growing team have kept Reliance Partners on the rise.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels describes what it takes to be crowned a champion driver.
It’s not too late to take care of violations that could leave you sidelined. Be sure to conduct thorough pre- and post-trip inspections of your brakes, lights and tires.
FMCSA’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program will analyze the safety benefits or hazards that young drivers pose to interstate commerce.
Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle dives into FMCA’s DataQs system, what it is and why you should be eager to use it.
Consider your safety program as a rocket engine. How it’s designed and implemented is crucial.
Reliance Partners’ Thom Albrecht points to current negative trends as reasons to hunker down now and through the new year.
A better question is, what can carriers do to lower their rates?
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels says letting things slide can have deadly consequences.
It’s probably poor planning rather than bad luck. Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels says you shouldn’t be shocked to find no parking available if you waited until the last minute.
Reliance Partners’ Graham Gonzales explains why a logistics career path — or career change — is definitely worth considering.
Reliance Partners’ Robert Kaferle describes simple ways fleets can derive savings.
The side of the road can be a very dangerous place to be, especially if you don’t make your presence known.
Insurance, safety and visibility solutions were major talking points as the industry anticipates an uptick in cross-border trade.
Reliance Partners’ Brian Runnels details some of the items no driver should hit the road without.
Reliance Partners’ Graham Gonzales warns how easy it is for one to fall victim to a cyberattack.
The best way to keep your drivers satisfied is to know what they want.
Poor driving is often a reflection of management. So when fatal accidents occur, it’s not just drivers with blood on their hands.
