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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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% […]
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 drivers […]
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 […]
Non Trucking Liability – The Most Misunderstood Insurance Coverage
Non Trucking Liability or NTL, is frequently misunderstood because many Owner Operators think it simply means when not under dispatch. Read more to learn how Non Trucking Liability really works. Who needs Non Trucking Liability Insurance? Non Trucking Liability is insurance coverage for an Owner Operator who is permanently Leased On to a Motor Carrier. […]
Why an Independent Contractor Owner Operator should have his own Truck Insurance Policy
Why the “Company Plan” isn’t always the best choice for an Independent Contractor’s Liability and Physical Damage Truck Insurance
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”.
How to recover Lost Revenue when someone else hits you| Downtime for Truckers
Truckers Lost Revenue Downtime when someone else hits YOU is not always clearcut. Truckers who have had a NAF (Not At Fault) Accident experience know it’s not so easy to recover your true Lost Revenue with the other insurance company. Downtime Coverage can be added to most Commercial Trucking policies. When you purchase Downtime […]
Which States have the Best Rates for Truck Insurance
Here’s Progressive’s take on average rates for new Tractor Trailer Startups
The Power Only Problem or How Lending Your Trailers Can Be Lending Your Insurance
If you enjoy reading about transportation law and how it an impact your company, click to check out Rob Moseley’s Fall Transportation Newsletter:
MCS90-91X – Protection Might Not Be What Some People Think
Posted By Shelly Benisch “Risky Business” Blog Expediters Online Sep 14th 2016 Today I thought I’d share some information from Guest Blogger Tommy Ruke, “The King Pin Leading Expert in Truck Insurance”. Tommy is essentially the father of truck insurance. He has educated the majority of truck insurance specialists in the country for their (CIC) Certified […]
Difference between Hotshot Insurance vs Expediter Insurance
~Hot Shots are 1 ton Duallys with Gooseneck Trailers
~Expediters can be Cargo Vans, Sprinters, Straight Trucks or Tractor Trailers
Both Hot Shots and Expediters haul time sensitive freight for hire across state lines
Insurance requirements differ depending on weight of vehicles and commodities
BONUS – A Brand New Insurance Choice with Excellent Rates is Finally Here
What questions an Independent Contractor Owner Operator should ask his Motor Carrier
By Shelly Benisch – C.I.C., CIS EXPEDITE NOW Article Ever wanted a cheat sheet on exactly WHAT questions you should ask a prospective Motor Carrier before making the important decision to join their team as an Independent Contractor Owner Operator? Well here you go…and Expedite Expo July 15th and 16th in Lexington, KY is the BEST PLACE […]
Why Expedited Trucking industry standard for Cargo Vans and Sprinters is $1 Million Liability
Why Expedited Trucking industry standard for Cargo Vans and Sprinters is $1 Million Liability By Shelly Benisch Risky Business Blog Posted Aug 5th 2016 9:14AM ExpeditersOnline.com Here’s an Addendum to the current EO Thread “Insurance Coverage and the ‘Multi’ Carrier Model”…so Why DO Cargo Vans and Sprinters need $1 Million in Liability?” Arguments are certainly made that since […]
Commercial Truck Requirement MCS-150
Commercial Truck Requirement MCS-150 applies every 24 months for EXISTING Motor Carriers. This blog is a continuation of our earlier blog, Commercial Truck Insurance Requirement MCS-90 or how to BECOME a Motor Carrier. FMCSA is the transportation governing body that requires an MCS-150 update on your business every 24 months. If you’ve gotten to the […]
Country’s largest carriers outsource more than 40% of contracted freight
Written by CCJ Staff | June 3, 2016 Commercial Carrier Journal A report released last month by shipper-carrier connection platform LaneAxis concludes roughly 40 percent of freight contracted to the country’s largest carriers is subcontracted to smaller carriers. Freight being outsourced to smaller carriers from their larger counterparts isn’t news to the industry, but LaneAxis […]
Independent Contractor Risks and Rewards of getting your own Motor Carrier Authority
This educational AND inspirational article posted on Expediters Online is by Staff Writer Sean M Lyden. Henry Albert is insured through CIS. When you operate under your own motor carrier authority, you get to call your own shots and keep more of your income by negotiating rates directly with customers and not having to share […]
Difference between General Liability vs Auto Liability to a Trucker
General Liability vs Auto Liability By Shelly Benisch Given the number of policies with $1 Million General Liability and State Minimum Auto Liability currently popping up out there, it’s a good time to talk about the vast difference between the two types of insurance whether you’re a Trucking Owner Op, Motor Carrier or Broker. Auto Liability pays […]
What Cargo insurance may NOT cover for Expediters
What about Cargo? By Shelly Benisch Risky Business Blog Posted Mar 11th 2016 ExpeditersOnline.com 11:13AM Everyone knows that Cargo insurance generally covers theft, fire and collision, but ever wonder what it doesn’t cover? Last time we talked about Liability insurance, where you’re driving along and you hit someone or something. We also talked about […]
Cheat Sheet for Independent Contractor Expedite Truck Insurance Lingo
I.C. Cheat Sheet for Insurance Lingo I.C. Cheat Sheet for Expedite Truck Insurance Lingo Risky Business Blog Posted Mar 3rd 2016 ExpeditersOnline.com 12:14PM Several new Independent Contractors have asked for a cheat sheet on common insurance lingo they hear thrown around, and for my veteran Expediters out there who might like a refresher course in […]
Why are Expedite Truck Insurance Rates so different for Tom & Jerry?
The Insurance Zone by Shelly Benisch – Expedite Now Magazine Why are the rates so different…That’s the question I hear weekly and struggle with because I often can’t explain why Tom in TX pays Four Grand while Jerry in TX pays Ten Grand. Agents and Direct all have the same quoting platform and simply key in […]
Expedite Now Q & A with Transportation Risk Specialist Shelly Benisch with CIS
By Lawrence McCord, Publisher Expedite Now January 06, 2016 11:11:00 Shelly Benisch from CIS sheds some light on the commercial insurance industry: Tell us about yourself. When people hear John and I married right out of school and now partner an insurance agency, we’re amused with questions of how we keep from killing each other! While […]
Why Professional Expediters work with Transportation Risk Specialist Insurance Agents (TRS)
The Insurance Zone by Shelly Benisch Expedite Now Magazine Whether you’re a Motor Carrier or Owner Op, expect a professional TRS Insurance Agent to know what coverage you are required to carry by all of the major Expedite entities. Anyone quoting you with lower limits in the beginning of your term then increasing those limits […]
Why High-End Expedite professionals should have their own Occ Acc & Phys Dam policies
The Insurance Zone By Shelly Benisch – C.I.C., CIS September 14, 2015 10:47:00 – EXPEDITE NOW MAGAZINE Independent Contractor Owner Operators are in greater demand than ever before, and the professionals in our Expediting Community have more insurance flexibility than ever before. Let’s look at two options where you can take advantage of savings. Occupational […]