Business owners, quick question: Have you REALLY read over your insurance policy? It’s a funny thing, to be honest… I once asked a potential client how much he paid for the last book he bought. He said it was $25. I went on and asked if he had read the book and he answered “yes.” I then asked if he had read over his cargo policy and he answered “no.” This client had paid $25,000 for this policy which contained less than 5% of the words in the last novel he purchased and read. Why on earth did he not read over his policy? His response: “It was too difficult to understand.” Does this sound like you?

As an owner in the moving and storage business, it is critical to read over your policy and fully understand what it is saying. While I may not have the authority to force clients to read over their policy, I do feel the need to express my concern. I know that ANY buyer of a motor truck cargo or warehouseman’s legal liability insurance policy will generally, at SOME point, experience a major loss if he or she does not take the time to read the policy over and learn what it will or will not cover.

Motor truck cargo and warehouseman’s legal liability are especially tricky policies. Why? Allow me to give you a quick explanation…

All states regulate the sale of insurance. State insurance “departments” control policy language and the pricing when it comes to the majority of insurance policies. HOWEVER, not all insurance is subject to the same degree of regulatory control, For instance, Marine Insurance, both Ocean and Inland. Motor truck cargo insurance and warehouseman’s legal liability both fall under Commercial Inland Marine (CIM.) Translation: Inland marine underwriters are free to write their own terms and conditions. Motor truck cargo and warehouseman’s legal liability insurance policies are “tailored” and “custom-fit” to properly cover buyers’ exposures and needs.

This may sound great, but it can be both good and bad. With this type of system, the insured will LITERALLY get exactly what he or she pays for. The good news: business owners in the moving and storage industry can get WHATEVER coverage they need, for a price, of course. If the underwriter wants a coverage removed, it can also be removed. However, this freedom also means that these policies may be subject to gaps and errors in “tailoring.” This is where the trouble may begin!

The bottom line: instead of tackling that $25 book you just bought, it may be time to give your $25,000 movers insurance policy a thorough read. If you are not convinced, you should come back next week. We will be discussing the possibility of coverage gaps.

Over the past month, we have spent a great deal of time discussing the requirements and qualifications that must be attained in order to be a CMV driver. To end this series, we have put together another list. This week, we would like to discuss the physical requirements that your drivers must meet.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers must:

•    Have no loss of a foot, leg, hand, or arm OR has been granted a skill performance evaluation certificate;

•    Have no impairment of a hand or finger which will interfere with the power of grasping;

•    Have no impairment of an arm, foot or leg which could interfere with the ability to perform normal tasks that are associated with operating a CMV;

•    Have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus which requires insulin for control;

•    Have no current clinical diagnosis of: myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by collapse, congestive cardiac failure, syncope, etc.;

•    Have no medical history of respiratory dysfunction that will interfere with his/her ability to control a CMV;

•    Have no medical history of epilepsy or any other condition that may interfere with safe driving;

•    Have no mental, nervous, organic or functional disease or psychiatric disorder that will interfere with driving;

•    Have distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye without contact lenses.

For a full list, be sure to check it out here.

We at Wolpert Insurance hope that you have found this series helpful and useful! Having the best drivers out on the road will not only lower the chance of an accident, but claim or even lawsuit.

For those times that you do face a claim, we are here to provide you with reliable movers insurance. For more information on your options, contact our agency.

Welcome back! Over the past few weeks, our agency has focused on CMV driver qualifications and disqualifications. As the owner of a moving and storage company, it is important to be aware of such things. Last week, we went over the penalties that your drivers would face if he or she were found with drugs or alcohol on them or the use of either. This week, we would like to focus on the things that must be in a CMV driver’s file. Without these items, your drivers would not be able to operate your vehicles.

Every motor carrier must have a file for each regularly employed driver that should include:

•    Driver’s application for employment

•    Inquiry to previous employers – 3 years

•    Inquiry to state agencies – 3 years

•    Inquiry to state agencies – annual

•    Annual review of driving record

•    Annual driver’s certification of violations

•    Driver’s road test certificate or equivalent

•    Medical examiner’s certificate

The last thing you want is to find your company in trouble because your CMV driver’s do not have a file including the above items.

At Wolpert Insurance, our goal is to make sure your company is aware of such rules and regulations to stay out of trouble. We are also here to provide you with affordable and comprehensive movers insurance to help you deal with the unexpected issues and financial woes. For more information, contact our experts by calling 508-459-4700 or visit our website to fill out the free quote form!

Last week, we discussed the different ways in which a driver could be disqualified. Of those ways, one disqualification that was listed read “…driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and controlled substances.” Without a doubt, a driver found under the influence will face severe consequences.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to let your drivers know of this. You must ensure that all persons designated to supervise drivers receive at least 60 minutes of training on alcohol misuse and receive at least an additional 60 minutes of training on controlled substance use. Employers should also let drivers know of the following penalties:

1.    A first offender is disqualified for one year following conviction or forfeiture (6 months for possessions of a controlled substance.)

2.    For a second offense within three years, a driver is disqualified for three years.

As you can see, drug and alcohol use is no joke, especially when it comes to driving. All employers must be aware of the consequences and pass them along to employees. If one of your drivers is under the influence and goes unnoticed, he or she may end up in an accident, hurting themselves or worse, killing another. The last thing your business needs is a lawsuit on its hands!

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure your business is run as safely and smoothly as possible. This is exactly why we are dedicated to providing your moving and storage business with the proper coverage. Contact us for more information.

In order to be a commercial vehicle driver, there are plenty of qualifications and requirements to be aware of. As the owner of a moving and storage company, it is important that YOU are aware of these requirements for the times you must hire new drivers.

Over the next month, we will be focusing on these requirements, from qualifications to disqualifications to physical requirements to even drug and alcohol use and penalties. This week, let’s focus on 10 CMV driver qualifications and requirements. Drivers must:

1.    Be in good health and physically able to perform all duties of a driver

2.    Be at least 21 years of age

3.    Be able to drive vehicle safely

4.    Complete an application for employment

5.    Have only one valid commercial driver’s license

6.    Provide an employing motor carrier with a list of all motor vehicle violations

7.    Pass a driver’s road test or equivalent

8.    Possess a valid and current medical certificate

9.    Know how to safely load, block, brace and secure the cargo

10.    Speak and read English well enough to: converse with the general public, understand traffic signs and signals, respond to official questions and be able to make legible entries on reports and records.

When hiring a new driver for your moving company, it is important to turn to these qualifications. You may want to even start a checklist! Hiring an unqualified candidate may not only get you into lawful trouble, but may also lead to more claims against your moving and storage insurance policy.

Concerned about disqualifications? Be sure to come back next week for another informational blog!

Are your commercial vehicle drivers wearing safety belts? As the owner of a moving and storage company, this is a question you should constantly be asking and addressing! While it may seem childish to repeatedly remind your employees’ about the importance of seat belts, do not hesitate to do so. Those who do not buckle up may end up injured… or worse!

Luckily, your moving company insurance policy will be there to handle the finances that accidents and crashes bring your way, but it will only protect drivers so far. Your drivers must protect their own well-being by taking care of themselves, first. Here are a few reasons for safety belts to pass along to those who forget to buckle up:

•    Safety belts prevent serious injuries and fatalities.

•    In the event of a crash, a safety belt will keep the driver in place.

•    Safety belts improve your chances of escape.

•    Safety belts can help avoid serious impact of organs crashing into each other within the body.

•    Buckling up is the law! If a CMV has a seat belt installed (which it most likely does), drivers are not to drive without properly buckling up first.

At Wolpert Insurance, we do not want to see your drivers involved in any accidents. However, you cannot stop the unexpected! What you can do: pass along these crucial safety tips and of course, cover your company. If you are interested in receiving a free moving company insurance quote, contact us today. We would be happy to provide you with a variety of coverage options, including: garagekeepers coverage, auto coverage, equipment and tools coverage, workers compensation and much more.

Until then, continue to buckle up. Also, be sure to come back next week to read about a few seat belt safety myths!

As always, our movers insurance experts believe that it is important to keep you up-to-date and familiar with industry-related news! This week, we have put together a quick Q&A session about daily logs and toll receipts.

Q1: What is “short haul” provision?

A: Short haul provision is the rule that allows drivers of non-CDL vehicles to operate within 150 air-miles of their work reporting location without having to prepare a daily log. However, there are a number of conditions to this rule, so be aware!

Q2: If my power units are equipped with GPS, is the Department of Transportation (DOT) permitted to use my GPS records to verify the accuracy of my drivers’ logs?

A: Yes they are permitted and will do so.

Q3: What others records will the DOT use during a log audit?

A: It is required that motor carriers hang on to supporting documents for at least six months. These supporting documents should be documents that can be utilized to verify the accuracy of a driver’s log.

Q4: Are owner operators required to turn in their toll receipts?

A: Yes.

Q5: If an owner operator does not turn in their toll receipts, what are the consequences from the DOT?

A: The DOT would most likely fine the company for not retaining supporting documents. This would most likely happen during an audit.

For more news and information pertaining to the moving and storage industry, you could always turn to the Department of Transportation website or come back to our blog! Be sure to check out the past blogs on our site, too.

If you are interested in hearing more about our movers insurance solutions, contact our agency. We are dedicating to serving New England moving and storage companies and ensuring protection from the worst case scenario. For more information on general liability, warehouse legal liability, umbrella insurance, workers comp and more, call 508-459-4700!

As the owner of a moving and storage company, backing up large vehicles is an everyday maneuver. However, without the proper care and technique, you may find that this everyday maneuver has become an everyday hazard! While our agency is dedicated to providing insurance for moving companies, such as yourselves, we are also here to help you lower your risks and the chance of an accident, injury or claim. This week, let’s focus on the main things to consider while backing up your moving vehicle:

Here is a quick list:

•    Have you checked for any objects in your way? You should look out for: overhead power lines, poles, ladders, awnings, tree branches, pot holes, soft pavement obstacles, etc.

•    Can other traffic intrude on my lane of travel?

•    Can any pedestrians walk into my path?

•    Do I need another person to control or block traffic?

•    Will weather conditions such as ice, snow, fog or glare restrict my vision?

•    How close do I need to get?

•    Have I secured all trailer doors?

•    Have I put out the appropriate amount of cones?

•    Should this approach and delivery be abandoned?

If both you and your drivers ask yourselves these questions, you may be able to avoid the worst case scenario.

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure you keep risks, injuries, accidents and claims to a minimum. We also want to make sure you are covered in the event that something DOES go wrong! This is exactly why we are dedicated to providing unique and affordable insurance for moving companies. For more information on your options or a free quote, contact us today.