A Year of Continued Challenges

This put up is a part of a sequence sponsored by IAT Insurance coverage Group.

Extra challenges are coming to the transportation sector in 2024.

The U.S. financial system continues to be the primary fear for drivers and fleet carriers alike. Elements like inflation (2023’s top industry concern), rising rates of interest and better diesel costs are inflicting a ripple impact all through the transportation trade.[1] Whereas it’s true that inflation has stabilized, it has carried out so from the next plateau and exhibits no indicators of coming down. Costs proceed to climb and the next price baseline is anticipated for repairs, upkeep and new autos.

These identical inflationary pressures are additionally impacting the insurance coverage trade by way of elevated declare prices and settlements. Premiums might want to proceed to extend to maintain tempo with inflation-driven will increase in the price of settling claims.

Along with financial pressures, authorities regulation on the state and nationwide stage may even be of concern.

5 concerns for fleet carriers in 2024

With a lot uncertainty stemming from points flowing over from the earlier 12 months, the most effective protection is to learn and proactive. Listed here are 5 tendencies fleet carriers needs to be cognizant of to bolster their success in 2024:

1. Upkeep delays

As margins proceed to shrink, firms could also be tempted to carry again on routine upkeep and inspections to economize within the quick time period. This workaround results in expensive long-term dangers like service violations, costly repairs leading to downtime and an elevated chance of accidents.

Take motion: Resist the urge to scale back upkeep practices under the producer’s customary necessities and proceed to finish pre- and post-trip inspections. DOT Roadside inspections leading to elevated CSA scores or a rise in a provider’s accident frequency resulting from upkeep points could have an opposed impression on insurance coverage premiums. Search for different alternatives to tighten the finances and preserve your upkeep schedule on monitor.

2. Enhance in theft

Theft claims are on the rise and this pattern exhibits no indicators of slowing down. Final 12 months there was a 20% soar in reported cargo theft incidents, which vary from stealing the cargo to stealing the complete automobile and happen most frequently in parking heaps and truck stops as thieves make the most of drivers’ have to sleep or take a break. Brokerage cargo theft elevated by 600% in 2022, making the commandeering or misdirecting of shipments the primary cargo theft methodology.

Take motion: Be proactive in your efforts to stave off theft and its opposed impression on the price of doing enterprise. Listed here are 5 easy methods to get forward of the issue:

• Pre-plan routes to pinpoint secure areas for drivers to cease, eat and relaxation.
• The dearth of truck parking has been a problem for many years and a top-five concern since 2015.¹ Contemplate reserving paid private parking spots. Personal parking typically contains perimeter fencing, enough lighting, safety cameras and onsite personnel 24/7.
• Connect portable tracking devices to your autos, chassis and cargo to make them straightforward to find within the occasion that they’re stolen or go lacking.
• Pay shut consideration to how you might be managing hours of service and securing masses.
• Talk about high-value/high-target theft masses with the motive force throughout dispatch offering them with security measures to make use of whereas loading and transporting such masses.

3. DOT rule adjustments

Seven high-level DOT rule adjustments launched in 2022-2023 are anticipated to be launched in 2024. Whereas there’s presently no affirmation on what the ultimate rule updates will entail, preserve your eye out for these guidelines coming down the highway:

• FMCSA Security Administration System replace
• Obligatory pace limiters
• Auto emergency braking techniques
• Crash preventability dedication program
• CDL drug and alcohol clearinghouse return to obligation course of
• Competency and expertise testing
• Oral fluids in addition to urine samples for drug/alcohol testing

Take motion: Maintain abreast of what’s occurring. Keep present on trade information and get entangled in your state associations for helpful data and assist.

4. New California electrical automobile guidelines

Regulatory strain throughout the nation is pushing the transition to electrical autos (EVs), and California’s truck emission requirements are main the cost within the trucking trade. California’s larger compliance laws don’t simply have an effect on the California-domiciled provider; any carriers that drive into the state are impacted, inflicting important hurdles for a lot of firms nationwide.

In truth, zero-emission autos had been recognized as a important difficulty within the trucking trade for the primary time in 2023.1 Within the wake of the brand new guidelines, companies are grappling with the monetary viability of constant California-based operations and contracts. As well as, distribution facilities are popping up simply exterior of the California border to accommodate non-compliant vehicles that can not cross state traces.

Take motion: Transitioning to an EV fleet isn’t any easy feat; contemplate the entire variables at play earlier than deciding whether or not this can be a sensible choice for your small business in 2024. These expensive autos current challenges with charging capability, and the elevated weight of batteries reduces cargo capability. Additional complicating issues, mechanics that work on electrical autos aren’t available, which might make route planning a problem since plans should account for charging stations and repairs if the necessity arises. There’s additionally a scarcity of readability round how insurance coverage firms will cowl EVs resulting from uncertainty surrounding prices to restore or change tools.

5. Driver retention and hiring

Many economists venture the freight market to proceed to melt within the first and second quarters of 2024 earlier than rebounding in late 2024, so firms ought to stay centered on retaining their greatest staff. With turnover in some trucking trade segments as high as 85% to 90%, fleets have invested in retention bonuses to maintain their greatest drivers. In truth, the typical retention bonus has climbed nearly 90% over the previous 4 years to $1,272.1

Take motion: Whether or not your focus is on retention or hiring, prioritize high quality above all else. The advantages of excellent drivers are far-reaching, even impacting insurance coverage prices — higher drivers imply higher charges. Think about using in-cab telematics to get an knowledgeable view of your drivers’ security habits and effectivity on the highway. This GPS-based know-how can present insights into driver efficiency together with pace, arduous braking and extra.

When load volumes return later in Q3 or This autumn this 12 months, be ready if you might want to begin hiring once more. Do your due diligence and cling to greatest practices, laws and your guiding ideas and preserve your dedication to hiring the most effective drivers accessible for the job.

Wanting forward

The 12 months 2024 is shaping as much as be a 12 months of change already, so keep knowledgeable on new guidelines and laws, plan to reduce the chance of theft, and be versatile across the fluctuating market progress.

For steerage on methods to handle your fleet’s danger in 2024, reach out to IAT Insurance.

By Tom MacCallum, Peter Matthews and Nick Martin

[1] American Transportation Analysis Institute “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2023,” October 2023.

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