Question
Hey Connie - Do you see a trend with the companies you deal with toward tightening up the drivers?
This week I had to tell a LONG TIME customer (20 years with same company) that he was rejected as a driver. He had two minor accidents and one other that could have been bad, a truck passed him on the left at an intersection while he was taking a wide left hand turn. If it had been a car passing him, it would have been worse but it was another trucker for crimminy sakes.
Anyway - that was really tough. I see a real hardening of driver scrutiny not only in violations but with accidents as well.
Mel
Answer
Mel,
My carriers are getting very tough on driving records. They really want a minimum of 3 years and as clean as possible. Two accidents in three years is now a company submit item. At one time, we could review and advise. Not anymore.
As for Driver Exclusions, they are getting to be more predominate than ever.
I have harped for years that the MVR is a trucker's resume. It needs to be as clean as possible. What was once accepted in the industry is no longer.
It's hard to tell a client this stuff. Had a similar situation last week. My client wanted 2 particular owner-operators so bad. I called the company and finally got the underwriter to work with me. The surcharge to keep the owner-operators ( one had 2 accidents in 3 years and the other 3 minor moving violations) was $7,000. That was just the driver surcharge. I conveyed the info to the client and let him make the decision.
The company's surchage of $7,000 basically said "if you want these guys, you'll have to pay for them".
While I see a leveling of premiums, I see continued scrutiny on MVR's. More than ever before.