Last week, we discussed the top 10 safety tips to consider while backing up your vehicle. As the owner of a moving and storage company, you should educate your workers on this procedure and the techniques required for safe backing. Training and educating your drivers is an important part of the job, just as important as it is to have movers insurance in place for the worst case scenario.

This week, we want to discuss the importance of having a spotter or guide, as well as the use of cones.

The number one safety tip is to always have a spotter/guide. It is important to:

•    Find a reliable and qualified guide

•    Agree on hand signals with your guide

•    Turn off your radio, avoid distractions and open your window

•    Keep your guide in sight at all times

If a guide is not possible, you should refer back to the top 10 tips from last week’s post! Also, if you do not have a guide, it is best to use cones. Cones can mark the specific location where you are backing up and provide warning to any traffic or pedestrians in the area.

We hope that you have found these safety tips helpful. At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure your company does not have to face an unnecessary issue or lawsuit. This is exactly why we are here to provide your business will a unique and comprehensive movers insurance program. Your coverage can include general liability, motor truck cargo, warehouse legal liability, workers compensation and much more. We would be happy to provide you with a free quote!

As the owner of a moving and storage company, you should never hesitate to speak about safety and cautious driving to your commercial vehicle drivers.  Operating such a large vehicle can be a hassle sometimes, especially when backing up. Did you know that 90% of trucking incidents and crashes happen during backing maneuvers?

While having reliable movers insurance in place will make a liability claim easier to deal with, it is best to avoid a backing accident as best as possible. Drivers should have the right skills and use extra care and caution when backing. Here are 10 safety tips to consider while doing so:

1.    Perform a walk-around check.

2.    Look up, down and at fixed objects.

3.    Pay close attention to any pedestrian traffic. Make sure they are at a safe distance from your vehicle.

4.    Adjust your mirrors and check side clearances.

5.    Use your four-way flashers.

6.    Plan your course and move slowly. Going slow will keep you in control of your vehicle and allow you to gauge your distances.

7.    Constantly check all sides as you back up.

8.    Keep your eyes moving to ensure conditions have not changed since your last glance.

9.    Understand that your mirrors only show you a small portion of the total picture.

10.    For extra caution, stop 3/4 of the way, set the brake, get out and look around.

If you or your drivers are not cautious during this common maneuver, you may be facing a liability suit sooner than later. At Wolpert Insurance, we do not want to see your company struggle if this incident becomes a reality. Allow us to provide your moving and storage company with the proper movers insurance policies, from general liability to owner operator coverage.

Be sure to come back next week for more information on using cones to block off pedestrian traffic and the importance of using a spotter!

As a professional in the moving and storage company, you are aware that rules and regulations are constantly changing. Whether there are changes in your movers insurance policy or cell phone bans, your business should always be aware. At Wolpert Insurance, we like to help make that possible by keeping you updated on the latest news and changes! This time around, there will be new hours of service rules starting July 2013.

As the mandatory compliance date nears, there will be more news and guidance. However, for now it is important to be prepared for the following:

•    Drivers MUST have a minimum of 30 minutes off duty or sleeper berth break for every eight hours on the road in order to continue driving.

•    Drivers may ONLY utilize the 34 hour restart once every seven days.

•    The off duty period must include at least two periods between 1:00 am and 5:00 am home terminal time.

•    Your company will be subject to maximum federal civil penalties if drivers are driving three or more hours past the driving-time limit. This is considered a violation.

For more important news and updates for your company and drivers, be sure to visit the Fleet Safety page.

Those who are concerned about their coverage can turn to us at Wolpert Insurance. It is just as important to be protected as it is to be aware of new rules and regulations. We would be happy to discuss the movers insurance options we can offer your moving and storage company, whether you are looking for warehouse legal insurance, motor truck cargo, general liability, umbrella insurance or all of the above!

ATTENTION: There are new DOT hours of service! These rules went into effect on February 27th, 2012. If your moving and storage company was not aware of these changes, allow us to inform you. Our experts at Wolpert Insurance are able to provide you with much more than just a free movers insurance quote; we strive to provide you with updates and news in the industry, too!

First, new rules started on February 27th:

•    Drivers may now log time spent “resting” in a parked commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as “off duty”. The driver cannot be working during this time.

•    Drivers may log up to 2 hours in the passenger seat of a moving CMV as “off duty” (provided that time is immediately preceded or followed by at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth).

For more information on changes going on in the industry, be sure to head over to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Also, be sure to come back next week when we will be discussing new mandatory rules that will be in effect starting July 1, 2013.

As for coverage, you can head over to Wolpert Insurance! We would be happy to provide your moving and storage company with a free movers insurance quote. Our specialties include: automobile liability, automobile physical damage, warehouse liability, motor truck cargo and more.

See you next week!

As a moving and storage company, many of your employees spend the majority of their time out on the road. Consequently, the chance of an automobile accident increases significantly. Those who have been involved in an accident before will understand how chaotic this situation can be, especially if the opposing driver is difficult. Luckily, having the proper movers insurance in place will make this issue much easier to deal with.

While coverage is sure to help your business through this, it is important that you remember a few other key responsibilities. Here are seven duties to remember:

#1: Take a picture of the crash site. It is important to take a picture of the intersection and entire site before the vehicles are moved.

#2: Find witnesses. If there are people around, find your witnesses. If people do not step up to the plate as a witness, take a picture of their license plate.

#3: Take a picture of the people in the opposing vehicle. Take a quick snapshot of all the passengers in the other vehicle. Believe it or not, some people will claim that there were more passengers in the vehicle. Not without proof!

#4: Take a picture of the opposing vehicle. You can take a picture and see your own car at any time; take a picture of the other vehicle!

#5: Find out the owner of the opposing vehicle. The driver of the vehicle may not always be the owner. It is important to find out who OWNS the vehicle and get the proper information.

#6: Report where the opposing vehicle can be found. Where is the other car being towed to? It is important to find out!

#7: Do not forget to report the crash. Filling out a crash report should be the number one priority!

The bottom line: it is best to cover your company as best as you can. Doing this through witnesses, reports and photos will benefit the company and the outcome, especially if you were not the one at fault.

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure you are protected in the event of an accident, which is why we offer a unique variety of coverage options for your business. Our specialties include: automobile liability, automobile physical damage, general liability, commercial umbrella and much more. Stop by and grab a free quote today!

Attention moving and storage companies: are you aware of the recent MA
Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report revisions? If your company has any
copies of the previous version in your office or vehicles, be sure to
replace them with the new revised copy.

Sure, we may be your go-to agency for questions and concerns about movers insurance, but we are also here to help keep you updated on important changes going on in the industry! For those who are not familiar with the Crash Report process, we have pointed out below some key information.

•    If an operator of a motor vehicle is involved in a crash in which a person is killed or injured or a situation where there is damage in excess of $1,000 to a vehicle or property, he or she is required to fill out a Crash Operator Report.

•    A Crash Report must be filed with the Registry, the local police department where the crash occurred and your insurance company within five days after a crash.

•    Drivers are not required to file a Crash Report with the Registry and the local police if the crash occurred on a private road, private parking lot, a driveway or other private ways. However, the driver may still be required to report any injuries of a person, animal, or any property damage to the local police, property owners and insurer.

What happens if the operator of the motor vehicle is incapacitated and unable to complete the report? Then it’s up to you as the vehicle owner to complete the report within the allotted time frame and file it with  the appropriate parties.

We encourage that all companies conduct periodic employee training programs to educate their drivers on what to do, the information to gather and the images to capture in the event of an accident.  Come back next week and we will give you our top seven things you may forget to do in the event of accident.

For more information about being covered in the event of an accident, turn to Wolpert Insurance! We provide insurance for moving and storage companies with policies tailored to fit their needs and their industry. While many insurance programs fail to acknowledge the difference between trucking insurance and movers insurance, we do not. Allow us to differentiate your business from the rest and provide you with a competitive premium quotation for comprehensive coverage. For general liability, cargo, workers compensation or automobile coverage, look to Wolpert Insurance for all your needs.

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According to the U.S. Department of Transportation FMCSA, a new ban on hand held cellular phones has been in effect since January 3, 2012. If you are the owner of a moving and storage company, we believe that it is important to be aware of this new ban! As a result, we have put together a few FAQ’s that may be helpful for you to look over. Besides offering reliable insurance for moving and storage companies, we also feel the need to provide both you and your employees with the latest news in order to keep you safe out on the road.

The U.S. Department of Transportation FMCSA offers a variety of FAQ’s and answers. We picked out some of the most important ones for your business to know:

Q: Are CMV drivers allowed to use push-to-talk mobile communications equipment while driving?

A: CMV drivers are allowed to do so, but only if the driver does not reach for, dial, or hold the actual mobile telephone in his or her hand while driving. The driver MUST be able to reach and touch the button needed to operate this feature from their normal seated position, with their seatbelt on.

Q: Are holders of a CDL license subject to this regulation only while driving a CMV or any vehicle?

A: CDL holders are subject to the Federal rule while driving a CMV only.

Q: What drivers are covered by the Federal rule?

A: According to the FMCSA website, “Drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce and drivers who operate a vehicle that is transportation an abundance of hazardous material requiring placarding under 49 CFR Part 172 or any quantity of material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73 are covered by the Federal rule.”

Q: Can you dial a phone number under this rule?

A: No; dialing a hand held mobile phone while driving a CMV in interstate commerce is strictly prohibited by this rule.

For the full list of questions and answers, feel free to check out the list on the U.S. Department of Transportation FMCSA website.

All of us at Wolpert Insurance hope that you have found these FAQ’s helpful! We are dedicated to making sure both you and your drivers are safe and protected while out on the road. Allow us to further protect your business with our insurance for moving and storage companies. Such a specific business deserves special coverage, which is what we have to offer. New England movers insurance coverage can include: general liability, motor truck cargo, warehouse legal liability, workers compensation and much more. Contact us for a free quote today!

Last week, our blog discussed the new changes and updates that the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC factsheet went through. Ultimately, these changes were designed to better educate motor carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers, much like yourself. As a moving and storage company, it is important to stay on top of this sort of news. Luckily, you have our insurance experts and blog to turn to for these updates; whether the updates relate to DOT policies or changes in your movers insurance policy. We believe the protection and safety of your drivers is important!

This week, we will discuss how your company and other motor carriers and drivers should improve safety performance in the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC. If both you and your employees are not aware of these techniques, you may find your company lagging behind. In order to comply with the updated rules and regulations, drivers and motor carriers should follow the procedures defined below.

•    According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), it is important for drivers to “understand the importance of keeping their records of duty status (RODS) accurate, current and complete. As an employer, it is your responsibility to let your employee know how many hours they can legally drive before breaking HOS (Hours of Service) rules.”

•    Drivers must understand how the lack of sleep will negatively affect their ability to drive safely.

•    The FMCSA states that it is also important for employers to “identify patterns of noncompliance in their drivers and educate them on the regulations and importance of complying with them.”

•    Employers should always be aware of how long drivers have been operating on the road.

•    Employers should always answer any questions drivers’ may have about regulations and direct them to the proper websites for more information (FMCSA and CSA websites).

•    Moving and storage companies should be aware that any violations of these regulations will have a negative effect on a motor carrier’s SMS data for 24 months.

At Wolpert Insurance, we do not want to see your business struggle because of a simple mistake! As a result, we are here to provide comprehensive and affordable movers insurance. We can supply your business with protection for motor truck cargo, automobile liability, warehouse liability and much more. Feel free to contact us for a free quote!

For more information on the updated Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC, or for help in these areas you can turn to Fleet Safety Services.

 

As a moving and storage company, it is important to stay on top of any changes or updates in the field, whether the change has to do with your movers insurance policy or even safety requirements by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. As of January 17, 2012, the FMSCA release an updated version of the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC factsheet. This factsheet is designed to better educate motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers and other related industries.

First, what is the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC?

“The Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC is one of the seven categories that the FMSCA CSA program uses in order to determine how a motor carrier ranks relative to other carrier with a similar number of safety events.” More specifically, these rules are concerned with drowsy driving. “This BASIC includes violations of the regulations pertaining to records of duty status (RODS) as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of CMV driver fatigue.” For example, your company may find itself in trouble if it is found to have drivers operating more hours than allowed under HOS regulations. This is why it is important to stay on top of these regulations!

If you want to see where your company stands, you can check the website. CSA’s Safety Measurement System assigns motor carriers a percentile rank for each BASIC based on violations cited during roadside inspections and reviews. By logging into the SMS site, you may notice a warning symbol, meaning that you may have safety compliance problems. If you think that your company may be in trouble, act fast. If your percentile rank indicates lower safety compliance, it may lead to warning letters or even investigations.

Now that you have a general overview of this factsheet, you must understand how your company and other motor carriers and drivers should improve safety performance in the Fatigued Driving (HOS) BASIC. Be sure to visit our blog next week for more information on this crucial topic.

At Wolpert Insurance, we care about the safety of your company and your employees. That is why we believe insurance for moving and storage companies is so essential. We have a wide variety of programs and coverage options dedicated to the moving and storage industry. Some of our specialties include: automobile liability, automobile physical damage, warehouse liability, motor truck cargo, workers compensation and much more. Do not hesitate to visit our website or contact us for more information!

As a moving and storage company, it is crucial to stay informed on changes going on in the industry; whether a change in moving insurance policies or even a change in safety regulations. Recently, there have been improvements made by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Safety Measure System (SMS) is constantly improving in order to keep drivers safe on the road and as of last week, there have been changes concerning texting and hand held phones.

Commercial motor vehicle drivers may have noticed the following two changes:

#1: On January 3, 2012, the FMCSA made the decision to ban commercial drivers from using mobile phones while driving, including a ban on texting.  There are five new texting and cell phone violations. Each of these violations carries the maximum 10 points and they are as follows:

•    Texting while operating a CMV;

•    Using a mobile phone while operating a CMV;

•    Driving a CMV while texting;

•    Using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV;

•    Allowing or requiring drivers to use a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV.

#2: There have been 22 violations derived from six current Vehicle Maintenance violations. These 22 provide much more descriptive and detailed information about compliance with existing brake, wheel and coupling regulations. This change is guaranteed to help clarify who the responsible is for the violations, the motor carrier or the Intermodal Equipment Provider.

As the owner of a moving and storage company, it is important to inform your drivers of these new violations. If not, you may find your company in trouble.

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure your company is always protected from the worst case scenario. By offer insurance for moving and storage companies, we are able to protect your business from liability issues, injuries and even lawsuits. Some of our specialties include: automobile liability, motor truck cargo, commercial umbrella, warehouse liability, workers compensation and much more. Contact us for a free quote today!