Introduction
It can be difficult to keep track of your fleet of commercial vehicles. This will probably be more important if your company operates a variety of different vehicles, as it can be challenging to keep track of where each one is at all times.
When it came to their vehicles, thieves used to be the biggest concern for business owners. However, there has been a change recently. It would appear that commercial vehicle owners are now more concerned about unauthorised use than actual theft of the vehicle.
It should be noted that unauthorised use can have an effect on a business's various departments. Other factors may be at play in addition to potential vehicle damage and fuel consumption. Health and safety concerns and insurance liability are just two of the problems fleet owners may encounter.
The number of actions you can take to lower your premiums might pleasantly surprise you. Some of the most successful ones are listed below:
- Check the driving records of your drivers for errors.
Such mistakes can result in a significant increase in the cost of commercial vehicle insurance premiums. Even though driving records are typically kept accurately, human error is inevitable. Such errors in your drivers' driving records can cost your business a small fortune in auto insurance, which can be fixed at no cost to you.
- Gradually increase the voluntary excess.
Your company's car insurance premiums can be significantly lowered with a higher voluntary excess. This is a somewhat risky course of action, though. Your business will incur a higher out-of-pocket cost if you need to file a claim as a result of an accident one of your drivers was involved in. Therefore, exercise caution when raising the voluntary excess at your company.
- Achieve every discount possible.
There are several different kinds of car insurance discounts available, including those for commercial vehicles. It is crucial to find out what kinds of discounts might lower your auto insurance. This could apply to low-mileage discounts, discounts for safe vehicles, and so forth. Unfortunately, insurers don't always tell their clients about all the different discounts that are available. Therefore, request a complete list of all the types they offer. Don't skip a beat or discount!
- Alert the insurer to material modifications.
The cost of vehicle insurance for your business may be reduced as a result of these changes. Your premiums might be decreased, for example, if one of your drivers turns 25 or your business buys new vehicles. So be sure to inform your insurer right away if any of these things happen. When you realize how much money you can save on auto insurance, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised.
- Enroll your drivers in courses on defensive driving.
Due to the sharp increase in cases of road rage, defensive driving is especially important. Insurance companies will occasionally give drivers who have finished these courses discounts. This will not only help to safeguard your company's financial investments, but it may also lower your commercial vehicle insurance premiums.
Here are some suggestions to help you stop your commercial vehicles from being used unlawfully.
Modify the Laws
Informing your staff of what is and isn't permitted is the first thing that can be done. This can be done as a part of a new hire's orientation. Alternatively, a straightforward reminder that outlines exactly what constitutes right and proper usage will frequently be effective for current employees.
Always get your signature on anything that is a part of your company's policies and procedures. This will increase the significance of your company's rules.
Access Limitations
Maintaining control over a sizable fleet of vehicles can be a nightmare. It can be effective to limit employee access by keeping keys safely locked away. Only those who should be using these vehicles will be able to do so in this manner.
You can significantly increase the security of your car by simply locking the keys inside. This might even be more crucial if your company runs on a busy site. A building or construction site is a well-known illustration of this. There will frequently be strangers working under contract who you don't know very well. Controlling who has access to a vehicle's keys is a great way to increase security on construction sites.
Tracking Devices
It's beneficial to know that the appropriate people and vehicles are being used. It does not, however, always guarantee security from unauthorised use.
Installing some sort of vehicle tracking system is a surefire way to ensure that your vehicles are travelling along approved routes. This will give you more assurance that your cars and trucks are adhering to the necessary height and weight restrictions.
Conclusion
The route, speed, and stop times of the vehicle will all be disclosed by these systems. This will essentially serve as an electronic time sheet for your car. Once installed, the data is accessible on a PC, making it very simple to identify improper use of a vehicle. The provided proof can be very helpful in supporting any disciplinary action your company wishes to take against its employees.
Security will be given top priority in busy areas like a construction site. One way a business can stop unauthorised vehicle use is by locking keys away and installing a tracking system.
Regardless of the industry you work in, security is crucial. However, some industries demand greater security, which is why building site security is so in demand.
