Insurance is a big problem today with trucking. I have a very good friend that wanted to work for me, but my insurance carrier would not insure him to drive. Good driving record, went to driving school, can drive a truck. But the new regulations are making it almost impossible to hire drivers today. I guess I should not complain, since we have had no claims. My rates are far cheaper than what most are paying from what I am hearing from other drivers and companies. The problem I am facing is to get a good driver, they will have to be accident free for two years minimum. They will have to have at least three years over the road experience. They can not have any criminal records other than traffic for speeding and not exceeding 10mph over the limit in a CMV and no more than two out of service for hours. If any of my drivers get these I will have to pay up to three times the premium for that unit and driver to keep him employed. Now the new twist is since none of my equipment is new. I have heard they are trying to come up with a maximum allowable use in age of the vehicles. I have heard this may get through the Federal division with the help of the insurance companies to place vehicles over ten years of age out of service, but there was a possibility with a program to inspect these vehicles every year after for a fee and a clear bill of health of the equipment to allow continued service. The figure that sticks in my mind is $1000 per year for the inspection that I think they are looking for. So if you are an independent or a small fleet owner with older equipment, we may find we can't afford to stay in the game with these new regulations not only on our selves or drivers, but now our equipment. If we are allowed to stay in the game what will be the insurance costs to do so. Just some more food for thought, or maybe I should say more bad news.
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