Keeping your fleet premiums low

One major factor in the cost of fleet insurance is a poor claims record. Fleet operators that can show a proactive attitude to their fleet management will be favourably looked on by insurers.

By David Miller, managing director, David J Miller Insurance Brokers

Unfortunately accidents mean higher premiums. But by building a culture within your company of safe driving, some accidents can be avoided.

At renewal your broker should work with you to identify the accidents that have occurred and who has had them. Do drivers work to deadlines that potentially leave them with little time to spare? Is there a pattern, for example, seven claims in the last 18 months of drivers hitting the vehicle in front? That would indicate the drivers are probably driving too fast for the conditions and too close to the vehicle in front.

What can a fleet manager do? Distribute the company objectives on accidents, how they are caused and how they can be avoided.  Implement an investigation and disciplinary procedure following an accident. What can you learn from the incident? Review the information. Do you need to undertake a review or update your company policies or staff training?

Additionally you can consider tracking of vehicles which can show not only the location of the vehicles but the speed they have travelled. On board cameras can show how accidents occurred and are very useful in countering any fraudulent third party claim.

Generally, insurers will offer the same rate per vehicle whether a vehicle is either owned or leased to the company. However in some cases there could be cost implications if the vehicle is leased to the individual, but this is something that we can help overcome. As an independent insurance broker David J Millers can work with you to improve your claims experience to help reduce your premiums year on year.