Joe came to us 12 years ago as a “One Truck Independent Contractor” leasing on as an Owner Operator with FedEx Custom Critical. Later Joe’s wife, Sue, became his co-driver. A few years went by when they saw an opportunity to help another driver get into the business. So they leased Tom their old truck…
Author: Shelly Benisch
Why are so many Owner Ops getting their own DOT Motor Carrier Authority in 2019?
A couple of weeks ago Shelly Benisch and John Mueller were playing hooky from work at a cute little coffee shop when we stumbled on an interesting pattern within both CIS and The Transportation Station. A lot of leased on Owner Ops were calling us for help to start their own brand new DOT Motor…
Follow Lone Ranger Trucker for Fun and Success as an Independent Owner Operator
Henry Albert: Lone Ranger is definitely the Trucker to watch and follow for Fun and Success as an Independent Owner Operator. Henry consistently offers solid examples and free tips on how to slam dunk more runs in a competitive Trucking for Hire market. Henry operates Albert Transport Inc as a long haul trucker in his…
Expediter Owner Operator Insurance – the “other reason” you didn’t get that last load
Owner Operator, are you asking yourself “Why didn’t I get that load?” You were in the right place at the right time…and you just bid lower than you would have liked in order to get yourself out of a deadhead situation. Well 2019 has certainly brought us plenty of data on the overall softer…
Chatter from earlier post, Why Cargo Vans and Sprinters carry $1 Million Liability?
There was quite a bit of chatter after I posted this explanation about Cargo Van and Sprinter Insurance… Why Cargo Vans and Sprinters carry $1 Million Liability?? Published on August 19, 2016 By Shelly Benisch Posted Aug 5th 2016 9:14AM Arguments are certainly made that since FMCSA only requires $300,000 Liability for under 10K GVW…
Cargo van hauling: Operating with authority, and the ‘multicarrier’ model by Todd Dills with Overdrive
Todd Dills with Overdrive on some of the pros and cons of Independent Owner Operators of cargo van s and sprinters obtaining their own USDOT authority
4 keys to Owner Operator Truck Insurance
Quick cheat sheet for Owner Operator Truck Insurance
Click on each block for more
Best Transportation Risk Specialist Near You
Are you an Owner Operator or Trucking Company looking for true professional transportation insurance advice to protect yourself and comply with FMCSA? Then look no further. MCIEF is the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation headed up by the Kingpin of Truck Insurance and frequently quoted Tommy Ruke, TRS, CIC. This was our 6th year for…
Best Transportation Risk Specialist Near You
Are you an Owner Operator or Trucking Company looking for true professional transportation insurance advice to protect yourself and comply with FMCSA? Then look no further. MCIEF is the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation headed up by the Kingpin of Truck Insurance and frequently quoted Tommy Ruke, TRS, CIC. This was our 6th year for…
Risky Business – 4 Insurance Mistakes Owner-Operators Should Avoid
Sean M. Lyden posted this E.O. interview with “Risky Business” Shelly Benisch (CIS) advising Expediters and Truckers on the 4 Insurance Mistakes Owner Operators Should Avoid. Be sure to check out more of Sean M. Lyden’s informative expedited freight “In the News” Expediters Online articles for Everything Owner Operators and Fleet Owners Need to Know. Sean also has a…
Are you a Courier or an Expediter?
The number of people dabbling in Amazon Last Mile Delivery has thrown a bit of a wrench in the insurance underwriting of smaller vehicles making “for hire” deliveries. A professional cargo van or sprinter driver hauling time sensitive freight on an unlimited radius is a clear cut “Expediter Classification” for most insurance companies. But what about…
Understanding Owner Operator Motor Truck Cargo Insurance – and Who’s Carmack?
“Hmmmm…so if something goes wrong, who IS responsible for all that stuff I’m hauling in the back of my truck?” The “Cargo” in the back of your truck requires its own type of insurance coverage based on what commodities you’re hauling. Most Motor Truck Cargo Policies insure the freight for the obvious exposures of…
Understanding Owner Operator Truck General Liability
So Picture This: You’ve advertised for a driver (using a logo your creative nephew designed) and as the new driver is making his delivery to your customer he’s also gossiping dirt about a competitor. He’s in a hurry because he wants to catch another load that day so he “helps out” the customer by using…
Understanding Owner Operator Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
Has anyone ever said to you, “You’re liable to get sued!” Everyone has heard it, but what does the word “liable” mean? It means you’re likely to have legal responsibility for damages you have caused. …So you’re driving along in your truck and you hit someone or something – and it IS your fault. What…
Understanding Owner Operator Phys Dam Insurance
Owner Operator, do you ever drive along and wonder “Exactly What IS Phys Dam?” “Phys Dam” is short for Physical Damage. Physical Damage is the Comp and Collision Insurance Coverage on your truck. Collision insurance covers your truck if it is damaged by hitting something or overturns. Comp is short for Comprehensive. This insurance…
FedEx Independent Contractors have new insurance options
I’ve written before on choices Owner Operator Independent Contractors have in purchasing “In-House” insurance coverage through their Motor Carrier, “Independent” insurance plans on their own or “Association” insurance programs. There’s a new association program on the block which is currently exclusive to FedEx Independent Contractors. It offers some great rates and coverage for Independent Contractors…
Uber Freight Cheat Sheet for Trucking Owner Ops
Lots of questions out there on Uber Freight, so here’s a quick cheat sheet for everyone updated just today: Uber Freight Operating in 48 states now Requires active USDOT # with Satisfactory or None rating – NEW Startups OK Requires 53’ Dry Van or Reefer (Straight Trucks are in the future) Both short and long…
Amazon & Uber Rethinking Logistics
CIS shares an interesting and creative take on Amazon & Uber Logistics courtesy of TradeMachines.com: “A new era brings new expectations: faster delivery & higher successful delivery rates. How is it possible to fulfill these expectations? By rethinking processes, improve efficiency and through innovation. Take a look at this infographic to find out how Amazon & Uber…
MCIEF Conference educates Transportation Risk Specialists with Experts in the Trucking Industry
Truck Industry Leaders shared thoughts and information with key Transportation Insurance Companies and Agents at the 2017 MCIEF – Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation Conference in Orlando. The first topic was “Critical Issues the Motor Carrier Faces and Their Impact on Insurance”. Mark Willis, radio personality with SiriusXM Channel 146 shared his feedback from listeners…
CIS proudly sponsors the Mohawks!
Introducing the Mohawks! CIS Truck Insurance is proud to sponsor our first (adorable) baseball team for the 2017 Fall Ball season through the Northeast Ohio Youth Baseball League. They are truly a great group of boys with a wonderful team of coaching, we are proud to be a part of it! Lets wish these boys…
Owner Operator update on Wal-mart, Amazon, Google, and Uber
Wal-Mart has partnered with Google Express to challenge Amazon for voice ordered purchases. Wal-Mart will share a buyer’s purchase history with “Google’s Virtual Assistant”, enabling faster processing for items frequently shopped. Amazon has long utilized voice shopping which analyzes buying history by recalling preferred items purchased in the past. Google Express currently enlists Uber and…
ATA Share the Road Video helps non professional drivers see what truckers can’t see
This award winning video from ATA should be required viewing for all new drivers. Send his to your kids or any nonprofessional driver you care about to see what professional truck drivers see…and can’t see.
Vision of more Owner Operator Health Insurance Options through States
Given the current ineptitude of our Senate and Congress, Obamacare is apparently destined to limp along indefinitely with few solid options for Independent Contractors. So what can the hard working Owner Operator hope for concerning the future of health insurance? Obamacare cannot continue in its current format. I won’t repeat more stats here that you…
Best Owner Operator Casino Night Yet!
Wow, what a great time! Over 350 Owner Operators, Motor Carriers and Vendors joined us for CIS Casino Night at the Expo in Lexington, KY last weekend. Over $7,000 in prizes were donated and drawn between rounds of blackjack, roulette, craps and texas hold’em. Check out these generous companies who contributed such great prizes for Owner Operators to…
Overdrive’s review of CIS Owner Operator Insurance Workshop at the Expo
It was great to field so many intelligent questions from Owner Operators attending our CIS insurance workshop at the Expo last week. Check out Overdrive’s Todd Dill’s summary of the workshop along with his earlier report Dodging the ambulance chasers.
Truck Insurance is Too Important to be Confusing Workshop
Shelly Benisch, TRS, CIC with Commercial Insurance Solutions (CIS) will hold a free truck insurance workshop at Lexington KY Convention Center on Friday July 14th 9:00 a.m. in Elkhorn A at the Expo. I’ll lay out the basics of truck insurance in a short, easy to understand format to help Owner Ops, Fleet Owners and small Motor…
CIS Casino Night at Expo 2017
I say enough work…it’s time to PLAY! Let’s blast off a new season and celebrate our positive momentum at Expedite Expo in Lexington, KY July 14th. CIS Casino Night is our way or thanking our Owner Operators and Motor Carriers for their support. So let’s kick back and have some fun together Friday night! D.J. Rick with Premier Casino Events…
Amazon Freight and Uber Freight for Owner Operators and small Motor Carriers
Two stories broke this week that should be of interest to Owner Operators and small Motor Carriers. The WSJ Logistics Report offered an expose on Amazon’s push into furniture delivery as one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. online retail. CCJ and other outlets unveiled that Uber has officially entered the freight-matching market with…
Interesting Transportation Court Cases compliments of CAB
Transportation Court Cases: CARGO The District Court in Maryland concluded that a plaintiff’s claims for loss or damage to freight were preempted by Carmack even when the motor carrier only performed an intra-state leg of an international move. As the plaintiff always intended the goods to move internationally Federal Court jurisdiction existed and a motion…
More Big League News from CIS!
Perhaps this is just the start of what the Trump Bump looks like; The freedom of more choices and more opportunities. For years there have been challenges finding more true truck insurance providers for our community… Now all in the same month, Acuity and National General are partnering with CIS to offer better insurance choices…
Big League News from CIS!
CIS and Acuity Insurance have partnered to provide new insurance solutions for our community. John, C.C. and I just returned from their headquarters in Sheboygan, WI to learn more about their impressive transportation division. Acuity is a solid A+ rated company in business since 1925 with over $3.6 Billion in Assets. They have a 96%…
The Great Multi Tasking Lie
So the story on the Oscar Best-Picture screwup is that the guy who was in charge of distributing the envelopes of winners was distracted while tweeting “Best Actress Emma Stone backstage! #PWC!” What a great example of how we THINK we’re focused on our task, but we’re not… CLICK HERE to view infographic…
Trump Bump means Big Bucks for Truckers
Who can really trust a poll for exact numbers anymore, but suffice to say that most of us in trucking tend to be conservative and patriotic so it’s not surprising that Trump received BIGLY support from individual drivers, organizations like Truckers for Trump and even the Big Boys representing fleets. What happens now? Proposed changes…
At Elaine Chao Hearing, Smiles and Laughter in an Otherwise Tense Washington
The confirmation hearing for transportation secretary struck a friendly tone, but hinted at upcoming policy fights. WASHINGTON—On a Wednesday morning of political havoc in the capital, Room G50 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building was a study in Beltway bonhomie as Elaine Chao cruised through her confirmation hearing for secretary of transportation. Ms. Chao, who…
CDC says Flu Season could be Severe
Yes, if you’re like me when you saw this headline you probably said, “When DON’T they say the Flu Season will be bad?” Anyway, apparently there is an “A” type strain called H3N2 that is a variety that causes more severe symptoms in play this year. A lot of the really bad Flu Seasons were…
Send to anyone who is still Texting or Checking Messages while Driving
Posted by Cliff J. on November 2, 2016 in Acuity’s Trucker Focus The FMCSA restricts the use of hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial vehicles. In addition to prohibiting texting, the FMCSA forbids a driver from holding a mobile device to make a call. The FMCSA restricts the use of hand-held mobile devices by…
Best way to learn about being a Motor Carrier or Broker
Here’s a great gift idea for the professional Motor Carrier or Broker ready to kick off the New Year with renewed confidence 2017 will be more successful and profitable than 2016: Hank E. Seaton, Esq of the Law Office of Seaton & Husk, L.P. has produced a short, approachable, easy to read reference…
Interesting Truck Insurance Court Cases and more…courtesy of CAB
Read the 4 quick summaries here so you’re in the loop of what’s going on, or grab a beverage and click to read the full transportation court cases for interesting stuff on Cargo, Brokerage, Couriers and Temporary Substitute Clause: CARGO A reminder to underwriters that motor carriers are liable for loss or damage to cargo…
Happy Turkey Bird Day!
Turkey Unfriended on Facebook…awwwe!
The Most Misunderstood Coverage in Owner Operator Truck Insurance – NTL
Here’s a quick overview of NTL, and heads up on a denied claim where a personal auto policy was used in it’s place: A Non-Trucking Liability policy or “NTL” is designed for an Independent Contractor/Owner Operator who is under permanent lease by contract to a Motor Carrier. The Motor Carrier provides your Primary Commercial Auto…
Why an Independent Contractor Owner Operator should have his own Truck Insurance Policy
Dave Corfman offers excellent advice through E.O. Sean M. Lyden’s pen in “Should I Stay or Should I Go? Knowing when to find another carrier.” I’d like to add this suggestion to Independent Contractors from the insurance angle: Secure your own expedite truck insurance policy. Make it in your name with your own policy and your own…
Candid Caffees on Starting out as Independent Contractors of Expedited Freight
Bob and Linda Caffee of Team Run Smart share candid advice on “How to start out as an Owner Operator Expediting Team”.
Look out for the little beggers this weekend…Happy Halloween!
Trick or Treat at the Schmidt House
How to recover Lost Revenue when someone else hits you
A recent Expediters Online thread asking for suggestions for how to gain ‘Lost Revenue’ after a Not At fault Accident is a good segue for this week’s blog. T-boned, now what? Everyone understands that “Downtime Coverage” is something you can add to your own Commercial Auto Liability Policy. If you cause an accident and your…
CIS Friday Fun!
For a quick chuckle of why we shouldn’t judge too quickly…
Zombie Dispatch for Owner Operators Courtesy of Omnitracs
I thought this was quite clever! If you’re parked somewhere waiting for your next load, this should kill some time. OMNITRACS Drive a truck. Dispatch zombies. Save the world Try your hand at saving the world
Which States have the Best Rates for Truck Insurance
Here’s Progressive’s take on average rates for new Tractor Trailer Startups
WSJ Reports Big Losses Have Insurers Running From Trucks
By Brian Baskin The Wall Street Journal Oct. 14, 2016 5:30 a.m. ET Truckers are finding it harder and costlier to line up coverage for their fleets, as a wave of blockbuster payouts over accidents pushes insurers out of the market. The number of people killed in accidents involving large trucks fell 20% in the…
