How to Avoid Risk with Your Company's Car Fleet

Owning a car fleet for your business is a huge asset to your company. However, it can also present some serious and costly risks.

You cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidents and other issues associated with your business’s car fleet. However, you can make efforts on your end to reduce the risk of these incidents. Therefore, make it your priority to take the necessary actions to protect your business and your employees if you haven’t already.

1. Get Full Insurance Coverage

One of the easiest ways to limit the risks associated with your car fleet is ensuring that you have full insurance coverage on each and every vehicle. Therefore, in addition to commercial vehicle insurance, you should consider increasing your liability limits, uninsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive coverage. This will protect you in the case of an accident as well as theft or other types of vehicle damage.

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2. Establish a Car Fleet Safety Program

One way to help ensure that employees follow your safety initiatives is to implement a formal car fleet safety program. Then educate all employees and let them know you expect them to uphold these policies. This can hold everyone accountable and help keep safety at top of mind.

You may also want to remind employees of legal obligations. For example, drivers should never text while driving, and they should take all required rest breaks. Additionally, be sure to restrict employees’ driving hours. All of these can help prevent accidents on the job.

3. Make Sure Your Team Has the Right Equipment

There are several ways that the right equipment can help reduce risk to your car fleet, including:

Install cargo holders to keep items in place during transit so they do not obstruct the driver’s view or harm them. Consider installing a GPS fleet tracking device as a safeguard against vehicle theft
Provide hand trucks to bear the weight of heavy items that might otherwise cause injuries if carried long distances
Use truck dash cams to record what’s happening on the road. These recordings can be used in legal claims

Further, each of your vehicles should be stocked with the same equipment.

4. Provide Training

Driver safety training empowers your employees with the skills they need. This enables them to do their part to mitigate the risks of their job. Drivers should be trained on the proper operations of fleet cars as well as safe driving techniques. You’ll also want to make sure your employees know how to use their dash cams and any other equipment required for their job.

5. Don’t Overschedule Drivers

Excessive driving can lead to tired drivers. When drivers become too tired to drive, they are less aware. This makes them more prone to making mistakes, like failing to stop in time. These incidents can lead to expensive vehicle damage. Additionally, they can result in serious injuries for the driver as well as pedestrians and other drivers.

So make sure you adhere to driver scheduling requirements, even during the busiest times of the year.

6. Stay on Top of Maintenance with Your Car Fleet

Maintaining the vehicles in your business’s car fleet is essential. Worn tires or brakes can seriously affect the operation of vehicles and increase the risk of accidents. To keep track of maintenance and ensure that it’s kept up, keep records of all work done on each car. Additionally, professional inspections should be performed on a regular basis.

Also, you may want to educate yourself about the standards for upkeep on the type of vehicles you use in your car fleet.

7. Hire Carefully

A significant factor in the potential for accidents is the driver. So do your due diligence to make sure you’re hiring responsible, safe drivers. Performing a background check on any potential hires can give you insight into their driving and criminal record. In the end, good hiring practices can save you a lot of headaches.

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8. Implement a Rewards Program for Safe Drivers

Many companies that operate car fleets have established a rewards program centered around safe driving. This gives drivers incentives to follow your fleet safety policies. Further, it shows your appreciation for employees who help make your business the best it can be.

A safe driver rewards program is a good investment and doesn’t have to cost your business a lot of money. Consider the interests of your employees when you’re planning what to give. However, a reward can be something as simple as a gift card.

Reduce Risk for Your Company‘s Car Fleet and Save

Take the right steps to reduce the risk associated with operating a car fleet for your business. This will protect your company from liability and save you money on repairs, legal fees, and more. In short, implementing these best practices can only benefit your business and your employees in the long run.