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We focus a great deal of time on safety to lower Truck Insurance because, as you know, accidents involving heavy trucks typically have serious consequences. And the more accidents and resulting insurance claims you file, the higher your insurance premiums.

One of the most vulnerable groups on the road is pedestrians, who have no protection when an accident occurs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,388 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. in 2021 – a 13% increase from 2020 – and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured. Therefore, pedestrian safety should be a part of any driver training.

10 tips to increase pedestrian safety for Commercial Truck Drivers

1. Start Safe
   Before you begin driving, check your vehicle, clean headlights, windshield, windows, and mirrors, adjust the seat and mirrors, know your route, and identify areas you are more likely to encounter pedestrians.
   
   
2. Eliminate Distractions
   “71 percent of large-truck crashes occurred when the truck driver was doing something besides driving the truck,” according to the NHTSA. “Staying focused on driving can help keep you, and other road users, safe on the road!” They recommend the following tips:

• Don’t text while driving
• Don’t use a dispatching device while driving
• Don’t dial a handheld phone while driving
• Don’t read, write, or use paper maps while driving
• Avoid eating and drinking when driving
• Don’t let objects outside of your truck distract you

3. Be Vigilant
   Constantly scan for pedestrians on the street, sidewalks, exiting vehicles, etc., especially in congested areas or areas where pedestrians are more likely to be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, on roadway locations away from intersections (where higher speeds might occur), and at night.”
   
   
4. Be Patient
   We understand that you have deadlines you need to meet. However, an accident will only delay you more, so be patient with pedestrians, especially older adults or those with disabilities.
   
   
5. Assume Pedestrians Are Unaware of Truck Blind Spots
   You know where your blind spots are, but you may be surprised how many pedestrians do not. Many pedestrians also don’t know how your trailer will behave when you make a turn. Assume that pedestrians will not know to avoid risk areas and blind spots.
   
   
6. Consider Driving Conditions
   Weather and road conditions can affect how quickly you can stop. Poor lighting or a nasty storm can make it harder to see pedestrians. Use extra caution and reduce your speed when driving conditions are less than optimal.
   
   
7. Exercise Extra Care at Intersections
   Scan several times for pedestrians as they are sometimes easy to miss. Slow down as you approach an intersection, and be prepared to come to a complete stop. Make eye contact with pedestrians and give them the right of way.
   
   
8. Don’t Block Crosswalks
   Whether the crosswalks are marked or not, going around your vehicle can put pedestrians in the path of moving traffic.
   
   
9. Notice Distracted Pedestrians
   Just like drivers, pedestrians can easily be distracted. Watch for pedestrians using handheld devices, wearing headphones, with children, etc. They may walk slower, ignore traffic, be unaware of hazards, etc.
   
   
10. Remember – You are the Best Line of Defense
    Driver error is the cause of many large truck accidents. Therefore, as the driver, you are the best line of defense when it comes to protecting pedestrians.

Lower Your Truck Insurance Costs

Minimizing accidents and the resulting claims is just one way to lower Truck Insurance costs. American Insuring Group specializes in Truck Insurance, so we can ensure you have the right coverage at the best price. As independent agents, they will compare the cost of your coverage with several insurance carriers to ensure you pay the lowest premium.

Give us a call today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

One way to lower Commercial Truck Insurance and other operating costs is to minimize risks. One way to minimize risk is to hire safe drivers. You’ve probably heard the adage that goes something like this: “Employees can be your most valuable asset… your competitive advantage.” Most business owners/managers would agree, but many would add that employees can also be your greatest liability.

However, the ongoing shortage of drivers is probably creating additional challenges when it comes to hiring employees who become valuable assets rather than your greatest liability. The good news is that according to experts, “The number of unfilled driver jobs slid to nearly 78,000, down about 4% from a record 81,258 in 2021.” The bad news is that slight improvement is expected to be temporary, which may have you thinking that sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. NOT at the expense of your business! Hiring the safest drivers available is crucial to your business’s success.

Unsafe drivers increase operating costs, increase turnover rates, and can damage your business reputation. Data shows that “the best drivers can reduce costs by more than 12%, but the worst drivers can increase costs by more than 13%.” Taking the time now to evaluate candidates and hire the best drivers available to lower costs and minimize additional headaches down the road makes good business sense.

8 Tips for Hiring Safe Drivers

1. Set Standards – Set specific standards, such as the minimum number of driving years required, the maximum number of moving violations, etc.
   
   
2. Create a Culture of Safety – A safety culture is “an [organizational] culture that places a high level of importance on safety beliefs, values, and attitudes—and these are shared by the majority of people within the company or workplace. It can be [characterized] as ‘the way we do things around here.’ A positive safety culture can result in improved workplace health and safety (WHS) and [organizational] performance.”
   
   
3. Review Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) – An MVR will include basic information, the candidate’s driver’s license number, their license classifications, and their license status. It will also disclose any traffic citations, license suspensions, DUI convictions, and accident reports. Drivers with serious moving violations or accidents on their record may not be good candidates.
   
   
4. Contact Previous Employers – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that “you verify an applicant’s safety performance history with their past employers for at least the past three years.” Plus, this simple step can save headaches and costs down the road.
   
   
5. Review DOT Safety Performance - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) allows you to obtain a 3-year history of an applicant’s DOT inspection and violation history and a 5-year history of DOT-recordable crashes for a nominal fee.
   
   
6. Conduct a Pre-Employment Drug Testing – Instituting a pre-employment drug testing program can help keep unsafe drivers off the road.
   
   
7. Require a Road Test – A driving test is one of the best ways to discover a driver’s temperament, driving skills, and how safe a driver they will be.
   
   
8. Document – Keeping detailed records can help provide a complete picture of an applicant’s qualifications, making it easier to compare candidates. Furthermore, the DOT requires that you maintain a driver qualification file for all employees who operate a commercial vehicle that includes information such as your inquiry to previous employers, inquiry to state agencies, inquiry about drug and alcohol tests, etc.

Call for a Truck Insurance Quote Today!

American Insuring Group specializes in Truck Insurance, and as independent agents, we compare the cost of your insurance among multiple carriers to ensure you pay the lowest premium.

Call (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 for a FREE QUOTE or connect with us online.

When we think of ways to lower the number of claims to reduce Commercial Truck Insurance costs, most people probably think about minimizing the risk of accidents. This makes sense because trucks are bigger, which means it takes them longer to stop and can cause more damage than a passenger vehicle.

However, another hazard truck drivers face isn’t so obvious – the long hours they spend sitting in tiring, restrictive, or uncomfortable postures. “Researchers have associated sedentary behavior with approximately 35 chronic diseases and conditions,” according to Truckers News. Chronic conditions include obesity, sleep apnea, poor circulation, accelerated biological aging, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and peripheral artery disease.

A National Library of Medicine (NLM) study of long-haul truck drivers found that 69% of respondents were classified as obese, which increases the risk for many severe health conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, many types of cancers, mental illness, body pain, and low quality of life.

Another NLM study found that 78.6% of truck drivers have musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). “Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are soft-tissue injuries caused by sudden or sustained exposure to repetitive motion, force, vibration, and awkward positions,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. “These disorders can affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and cartilage in your upper and lower limbs, neck, and lower back.“

Optimal Seating Position

Understanding the optimal seating position can help alleviate many health issues by decreasing strain on various body parts. Plus, it can increase driver comfort, increase safety in a vehicle accident, and optimize the visibility of the vehicle controls while driving.

Experts recommend these steps to adjust your seat optimally:

• Step 1: Using the forward and reverse seat controls, adjust your seat so your knees are slightly bent. A two-finger gap should exist between the back of your knee and the seat.
• Step 2: Raise the seat until your hips are level with your knees.
• Step 3: Adjust the backrest so that your back is at a 100-degree angle.
• Step 4: Adjust the headrest so that it is centered with the back of your head.
• Step 5: Adjust the lumbar support control so that it fits in the curve of your lower back

Experts recommend these tips to sit in your seat optimally:

• Sit with your body the whole way back in your seat.
• Hold the steering wheel in the “9 and 3” position. Driving with two hands is safer and causes less strain on the spine.
• Keep your left foot on the footrest as much as possible. This helps minimize strain on the back and pelvis.
• Adjust the seat belt so that it wraps around your pelvis area and not your stomach. This will ensure the most protection in the event of an accident.

Regular breaks and stretching are another critical step in alleviating many health consequences of long-haul driving. The rule of thumb is to take a 15-minute break for every two hours on the road.

Stretching before, during, and after a trip and during regular workouts can also help. “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” according to the Harvard Medical School. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Lower Your Commercial Truck Insurance Cost

American Insuring Group is committed to providing affordable commercial truck insurance. As Truck Insurance experts and independent agents, we compare the cost of your coverage among multiple insurance companies to ensure that you pay the lowest premium for the right coverage.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online!

When we think about factors that increase Commercial Truck Insurance costs, we often think about accidents. And, yes, preventing accidents should be a priority if you want to lower insurance costs. Still, there is another often-forgotten factor that can also increase truck insurance costs – drivers being sedentary and staying in one position for hours on end.

Not many jobs are more sedentary than driving a truck, and sitting in one position can cause several issues, from stiff muscles to back pain and more. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports, “The prevalence of low back pain in truck drivers was 59%.”

One simple solution can help reduce the frequency of these issues - stretching before, during, and after a trip and during regular workouts. “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” according to the Harvard Medical School. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

6 Stretching Tips for Truck Drivers

Before beginning any workout routine – including stretching, it’s always best to consult with a physician. Here are six tips to keep in mind.

1. Avoid stretching cold muscles
2. Understand the difference between dynamic and static stretching
3. Stretch your whole body
4. Breathe with your stretches
5. Stretches should not be painful
6. Hold your static stretches

And remember, it may have taken you months or even years to get to the point you’re at now, so don’t expect one five-minute stretching workout to work miracles. You need to continue to stretch regularly over time to achieve flexibility, relieve tension, reduce fatigue, and improve your posture. In addition, you need to continue stretching to maintain the benefits achieved.

17 Stretches for Truck Drivers

Once you’ve consulted with your physician, the following stretches can be done before you begin driving, during breaks, after you’re done driving, or during your regular workout. Hold each stretch for five to thirty seconds and do five reps at a time. If you don’t have time to do all the stretches, focus on the areas that feel the tightest.

Click here for detailed instructions and a video demonstrating each stretch.

            LEG STRETCHES

1. Toe Raises
2. Hamstring Stretch
3. Calf Stretch
4. Thigh Stretch

       BACK STRETCHES

5. Back Extension
6. Knees to Chest Stretch

SHOULDER STRETCHES

7. Simmer’s Stretch
8. Stretch Across
9. Butterfly Stretch
10. Reach for the Sky

NECK STRETCHES

11. Chin Tuck
12. Upper Trap Stretch

ELBOW STRETCH

13. Triceps Stretch

HAND STRETCHES

14. Open/Closed Fist
15. Thumb Stretch
16. Wrist Flexion/Extension
17. Prayer Stretch

And remember, these stretches should not cause pain. If you feel pain, you may be stretching too deeply or too soon. If you feel pain, ease off the stretch and keep stretching without pushing the muscle too hard. Over time, as you become more flexible, you should be able to stretch more deeply without feeling pain.

Get Affordable Commercial Truck Insurance

American Insuring Group is committed to providing affordable truck insurance. We analyze your specific risks and needs and provide savings and safety tips (like the stretching information in this blog). Furthermore, as independent agents, we compare the cost of your coverage with multiple insurance companies to ensure that you pay the lowest premium for the right coverage.

▸ Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online!

If you are or are planning to become an independent owner-operator, you must ensure that you have the right Commercial Truck Insurance coverage. One serious accident without proper insurance can put you out of business. On the other hand, paying for coverage you don't need can seriously affect your bottom line.

You're probably busy, and insurance can be complicated, so it may be tempting to pass the job of getting insurance onto someone else, like your broker or carrier. But no one else has as much invested in the success of your business or knows your specific needs as well as you do. Therefore, you must be informed and knowledgeable about insurance to ensure you get the coverage best suited to your unique needs.

What Type of Insurance is Available to Independent Drivers?

There are several types of insurance coverage that you may need as an independent driver. Of course, you probably do not need all of them, but it's important to consider potential risks and available insurance protection:

• Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance protects you if you are liable for property damage. The Insurance Information Institute states, "CGL coverage is one of the most important insurance products due to the negative impact that a lawsuit can have on a business and because such liability suits happen so frequently."
• Cargo Insurance protects against loss from legal liability for damage to goods or merchandise in your care and custody while in transit. It also provides coverage for things like debris removal and refrigeration breakdown.
• Trailer Interchange Insurance covers the insured's legal liability for damage to the trailers of others.
• Physical Damage Insurance typically insures your truck against damages from collisions, vandalism, fire, and theft. Most lenders require that you have this type of insurance.
• Non-Trucking Coverage is for those things that are not directly related to the trucking operation. For example, this coverage would include an occupational accident for the truckers and insurance for trucks that drive without cargo (i.e., the cargo has been delivered, and the truck is coming back empty).
• Passenger Accident Insurance covers the cost of medical expenses or accidental death to passengers in your vehicle who are not employees.
• Bob Tail Insurance ) is a liability insurance that provides coverage when operating a truck without an attached trailer or semitrailer.

What Affects the Cost of Truck Insurance for Independent Drivers?

Understanding the factors that affect the cost of your insurance can help lower your premiums. Here are some things that affect the price of truck insurance for independent drivers:

• Experience – Some insurance companies require a minimum of three years of CDL experience before they will even issue you a policy.
• Your Driving Record – The better your driving record – the fewer accidents and violations - the lower your insurance premiums.
• Cargo You're Hauling – Some types of cargo are more susceptible to theft or damage, which will increase insurance costs. And high-value cargo is also more expensive to insure.
• The Type, Age, and Condition of Your Truck – Larger and heavier trucks are more prone to accidents and can cause more damage, so that insurance may be higher. In addition, a truck with a higher price tag will also be more expensive to insure. However, safety features can lower the cost of insurance.
• Location – Some states require more insurance coverage than others. Plus, the more miles you need to travel also affects the cost of insurance, and some routes are considered more hazardous due to weather conditions, population, etc.
• Deductible – Your deductible is the amount of money you will be required to pay before your insurance kicks in when you make a claim. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. But you need to ensure that you have enough funds to cover the deductible if you need to make a claim.
• Payment Plan – If you can pay the premium in full – rather than in several payments - many insurance companies will offer a discount.

How to Get the Right Trucking Insurance for Your Needs

To get the right coverage and the lowest cost, talk to one of the agents at American Insuring Group. We specialize in truck insurance and we know your unique challenges and needs. Furthermore, as independent agents, we compare coverage and premiums among many insurance companies to ensure you pay the lowest price for quality insurance protection.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

Unfortunately, many experienced drivers become immune to hazards affecting Commercial Truck Insurance costs. Therefore, drivers and management must be regularly reminded of common driving hazards, the consequences of ignoring them, and how to avoid them. 

One such hazard is driver distraction. Of course, every driver knows that texting is dangerous, but it’s easy to forget or discount this fact when facing all the challenges of driving a truck. 

A driver might think, “Two seconds. That’s all I need—two seconds to let my wife know that I’ll be late tonight. If I take the time to pull over to send the text, I will be even later. I’m just going to send a quick text.” It seems innocent enough, but drivers must be reminded of the studies and research showing how even one quick text (or other driving distraction) can instantly change their lives. 

What is Driver Distraction?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines driver distraction as “the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving to a competing activity.” Distractions can come from inside – texting, eating, adjusting the radio, etc. - or outside – billboards, unusual sights, etc. If anything takes your eyes off the road, it is a distraction. If anything takes your mind off driving, it’s a distraction. If anything forces you to take your hand or hands off the wheel, it’s a distraction.

 The Potential Consequences of Distracted Driving

The most obvious and significant potential consequence of distracted driving is an accident, which can result in death, injuries, property damage, higher operating costs, litigation, and more. A severe accident can change a driver’s life, his family’s lives, and the lives of others forever! 

However, if the fear of an accident isn’t enough to persuade someone from driving distracted (it’s too easy to think, “It won’t happen to me.”), then the potential legal ramifications of certain distractions need to be considered. 

The FMCSA restricts the use of all handheld mobile devices by CMV drivers while operating a commercial vehicle.

 The FMCSA states, “This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call or dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only use a hands-free phone located in close proximity.” Furthermore, “Using a handheld mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a handheld communications device while driving.” 

And finally, “Multiple convictions for texting while driving a CMV can result in a driver disqualification by FMCSA. Multiple violations of State law prohibiting texting while driving a CMV that requires a CDL is a serious traffic violation that could result in a CDL driver being disqualified for up to 120 days.” 

The Most Dangerous Distractions

An FMCSA study found that text messaging is the most dangerous distraction. Texting increases the chance of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) by 23 times. For example, if you’re driving 55 mph, writing a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, and in those five seconds, you travel the length of a football field without looking at the road.

 Other “complex tertiary tasks” that increase your risk of an accident include the following:

• Other complex tasks, such as cleaning a side mirror or rummaging through a grocery bag – 10.07 times
• Interacting with or looking at a dispatching device – 9.93 times
• Writing – 8.98 times
• Using a calculator – 8.21 times
• Looking at a map – 7.02 times
• Dialing a cell phone – 5.93 times
• Reading – 3.97 times

 Other tasks that are less risky but can still distract a driver include the following:

• Using other electronic devices, such as cameras and two-way radios
• Personal grooming
• Eating
• Reaching for something
• Talking or listening on a hands-free phone

Fortunately, most distractions are avoidable.

Here's How to Lower Your Truck Insurance Costs

Reminding drivers of distractions and other hazards will minimize the risk of accidents and help lower your Truck Insurance premiums. In addition, the independent agents at American Insuring Group can help reduce all your insurance costs. We compare policies and prices among competing insurance carriers to get you the right truck insurance at a great price.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online!

The more accidents you have, the higher your operating and Truck Insurance costs; therefore, it makes sense to avoid accidents whenever possible. Large trucks are bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles and can cause more severe injuries and damage in an accident. In 2020, there were approximately 415,000 accidents involving large trucks, 4,444 were fatal crashes, and 101,000 were injury crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Many accidents are the result of skidding - when tires lose their grip or traction on the road – and understanding the leading causes of skidding can help drivers minimize the risk of skidding. Skids are typically caused by one of the following:

• Over-Braking – slamming on the brakes, which locks the wheels (the most common cause of skids)
• Over-Steering – turning the steering wheel more sharply than the truck can turn
• Driving Too Fast – Driving too fast based on the road conditions
• Over-Accelerating – Applying too much pedal pressure too quickly

4 Tips to Avoid Skidding in Commercial Trucks

Brake Correctly

It’s no surprise that over-braking is the most common cause of skids. If the car in front of you suddenly stops or something darts in front of you, the first instinct for most people is to slam on the brake pedal. Unfortunately, this can cause one or more of the duals or the steering axle brakes to lock up. If this happens, you can end up skidding or sliding sideways. 

Instead of slamming on the brake, gently ease pressure on the pedal. Once you’ve reduced your speed, feather the brake by applying light pressure and adjusting the pressure level as needed. 

Feathering allows air to get in between the brakes and the drum and helps cool the system. It does what anti-locking (ABS) is supposed to do. Unfortunately, exposure to the weather can cause erosion to the ABS, which often means it is not working as it should. 

Feathering is particularly crucial on slippery roads and steep hills. Here’s a video that shows how to feather the brake pedal. 

Use the Jake Brake

“As a big rig is working, the air is forced into the engine cylinders as it enters the intake valve. This causes the air to compress, which converts it into energy that can be distributed. Usually, the pistons take that energy and guide it to the rest of the vehicle to produce power,” Matheson explains. “However, when a Jake Brake is activated, that air is pushed out the exhaust valves instead of being used to power the crankshaft and down-stroke. This results in a drag on the crankshaft, slowing the vehicle without any extra friction on the service brakes.” 

Matheson also states, “Because of how a Jake Brake works, drivers should avoid using them when on slippery road surfaces”; however, many experienced drivers find keeping the Jake Brake switch on the lowest position when driving on slippery road surfaces helpful. 

Keep in mind that some areas have prohibited their use due to the noise Jake Brakes makes. 

Allow Enough Stopping Distance

One way to avoid the need for quick stopping is to allow enough stopping distance. The condition of the road, how fast you’re going, and the weight and height of your haul can all affect how much stopping distance is required. However, trucks will always need more stopping distance than passenger cars. 

For Example, the Utah Department of Transportation (UTDOT) states, “A passenger vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds, traveling under ideal conditions at a speed of 65 miles per hour would take 316 feet to stop (nearly the length of a football field). In comparison, a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds traveling under ideal conditions at a speed of 65 miles per hour will take 525 feet to stop (almost the length of two football fields).” 

Mind Your Speed

We understand many truck drivers are under pressure to meet tight deadlines, but safety should always be a priority. The faster you are traveling, the longer it will take to stop your truck, so mind your speed – especially on wet or slippery roads or steep hills or if you are an inexperienced driver. 

Driving at the posted speed limit may not always be safe. Depending on the conditions, going below the speed limit may be wise. ‘In many areas, law enforcement can cite you for speeding if your speed was inappropriate for the road conditions, even if it was lower than the posted speed limit,” DSW states. “It’s better to be safe than sorry and to use your best judgment to determine a safe speed.” 

How to Pay Less for Truck Insurance

Avoiding skids is one way to lower Truck Insurance costs. Another way is to call American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online. Our independent agents will compare the cost of your insurance among competing insurance companies so you will pay less for all of your commercial insurance needs.

A seat belt safety program is a must if you want to keep your drivers safe and your Commercial Truck Insurance costs in check. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that "transportation incidents were the number one cause of on-the-job deaths with 2,460 fatalities out of a total of 5,703 fatal occupational injuries recorded." And "The average cost to a company for each property damage only truck crash is $11,020 (in 2003 dollars); per injury truck crash it is $174,367; and per fatal truck crash, it is $3,469,962. The average cost for all truck crashes per truck crash is $62,613."

Why are Seatbelt Safety Programs Vital to Business success?

First of all, it is the law, and failure to wear a seatbelt can result in state or federal penalties to drivers and employers. Plus, if a driver refuses to wear their seatbelt and receives traffic tickets for it, it could substantially increase your insurance costs or cause your insurance company to cancel your policy.

The FMCSA reports that safety belts, especially lap/shoulder belts, are effective in reducing injuries and fatalities and the cost of operating large trucks:

• More than 1 in 3 truck drivers who died in crashes in 2012 were not wearing seat belts (CDC).
• Buckling up could have prevented up to 40% of these deaths (CDC)
• Of the 168 drivers who died as a result of being ejected from their trucks in 2007, almost 75 percent of them were not wearing safety belts (FMCSA)
• 51% of truck-occupant-fatalities in large trucks involve rollovers. In a rollover, a truck driver is 80% less likely to die when wearing a safety belt (FMCSA)

And yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013, one in six drivers of large trucks didn't wear seat belts.

Why Are Seat Belts Effective?

Here are some of the reasons seat bests are effective, according to the FMCSA:

• Seat belts spread the stress and impact forces of a crash along the stronger and broader areas of the body, such as the hips and shoulders, thereby limiting injuries.
• Seat belts hold you in place while the vehicle absorbs the crash's impact and decelerates.

• In a crash, a seat belt keeps the driver in place behind the steering wheel and in control of the vehicle, thereby avoiding or reducing the consequences of an accident.
• Seat belts can keep you from being knocked unconscious, improving your chances of escape. In less than 5% of fatal large truck crashes, fire or submersion occurs.

Tips for Creating a Seat Belt Safety Program

The FMCSA suggests the following tips to create a seat belt program:

1. Lead by example.
2. Assign a program coordinator from each department to lead the effort.
3. Allow employees to take an active role in safety decisions.
4. Develop a seat belt training program.
5. Evaluate your seat belt program.
6. Promote your successes.

Training should include information about safety requirements (federal, state, and company-wide), the high cost of truck accidents, how and why seat belts are effective, and how to ensure proper seat belt fit and maintenance.

Lower Your Truck Insurance Costs the Easy Way!

Another way to lower Truck Insurance costs is to call one of the Truck Insurance experts at American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

We provide quality Truck Insurance at affordable prices by comparing policies among competing insurance companies and finding the right one to meet your needs!

More accidents mean higher Truck Insurance, so it's crucial that all truck drivers understand potential hazards and how to avoid them. One hazard common to all drivers is deer and other animals. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was an upward trend in deaths from collisions with animals from 1975 to the mid-2000s, which has leveled off in the past few years.

In 2020 there were 202 deaths from collisions with animals, reaching costs as high as $1 billion annually in damages nationwide. While smaller vehicles often experience more damage when colliding with large animals, commercial trucks are not immune. Collisions with animals can result in injuries or death, damage to trucks and cargo, lost time, and loss of revenue.

Sometimes collisions with deer and other animals are unavoidable, but there are steps truck drivers can take to minimize the risk and the damage caused by these collisions.

Know where there is higher risk.

Deer sightings can occur just about anywhere, but there are certain areas and times that have a higher risk.

• According to the Insurance Information Institute, the top five states in 2021-2022 for the likelihood of animal-involved claims from a collision are West Virginia (1 in 35), Montana (1 in 44), South Dakota (1 in 51), Michigan (1 in 51, Wisconsin (1 in 54), and Pennsylvania (1 in 57). Therefore, drivers in these states should be more vigilant.
• Watch for the yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer, which indicates an area of high-level deer activity. When you see one of these signs, you should be extra alert.
• According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, deer are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.
• Autumn (November – the peak, October, and December) are a deer's breeding season, and they may be less aware of their surroundings.
• In May and June, one-year-old deer begin to disperse to new areas.
• Less populated states and regions tend to have higher animal populations.
• Long stretches of isolated highways tend to have a higher risk of an animal darting in front of a truck.
• Rural highways built along creeks, rivers, and lakes attract deer.
• Heavily forested areas have higher animal populations.
• Areas where farmers are harvesting crops, can cause deer to run onto a road.
• During hunting season, deer are more likely to bolt in front of an oncoming vehicle.
• If you travel a route regularly, watch for a pattern of areas with higher activity of deer and other animals.
• Deer tend to travel in packs, so if you see one deer, chances are there are more nearby, and you need to remain on high alert.

Drive Safely

• Stay alert.
• Continually scan the road for signs of animals and activities.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Light can reflect off an animal's eyes, revealing its location.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Drive the posted speed limit.
• Never drive impaired.
• If driving on a multi-lane road, stay in the center lane to give you more time to respond if a deer runs onto the road.
• Don't tailgate. Allowing space between you and the vehicle in front of you provides a broader field of vision and more reaction time, enabling you to break rather than swerve if a deer runs in front of you or the vehicle in front of you.

Know what to do if a deer does come into your path.

If a deer or other animal crosses your path, try to stay in your lane and avoid the urge to swerve. Swerving can cause you to lose control and increase the chance of colliding with another vehicle or ending up in a ditch. Plus, deer can be unpredictable, and swerving may put the deer right in your path. It's better to hit the deer than risk veering off the road, overturning your truck, or hitting another vehicle.

Sometimes, using your horn can frighten the animal and keep them off the road.

If a collision is imminent, remove your foot from the brake because braking hard may cause the front end of your vehicle to go down, causing the animal to fly over your hood and towards your windshield.

How to Save on Truck Insurance

At American Insuring Group, we go beyond providing you with affordable truck insurance. First, we carefully analyze the needs and risks associated with your business. Then, we match you up with the best trucking insurance policy based on a careful analysis of many competing insurance companies. The result? You get the high-quality commercial insurance coverage you need at a very affordable price.

Get a free quote today by calling (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

Commercial Truck Insurance is essential to protect you, your business, and your commercial vehicle(s). However, many truck owner-operators and small fleet owners who come to us are over-insured, paying for insurance they don't need and producing a higher premium than necessary.

 Why? Perhaps it's the frightening statistics that cause this to happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2020, there were 4,444 fatal crashes involving large trucks

and 108,000 injury crashes involving large trucks or buses. Furthermore, the FMCSA reports that the average cost of property damage-only crashes was $15,114, the cost per non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258, and the average cost of fatal crashes was well over $3 million per crash. 

Without the right insurance coverage, one significant accident could quickly put you out of business. Still, there is no reason to carry coverage for risks your business is not exposed to.