For long haul truckers, loneliness is a hazard. Drivers are out on the road for days on end, handling stressful situations. Truck drivers are amongst the workers at highest risk for work-related suicide, working under circumstances that, according to research, contribute to loneliness, depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and emotional problems. That’s why many truckers are looking to work for trucking companies that allow pets. Man’s best friend is a boon on the road, offering companionship and fun.
Trucking companies, truckers, and health professionals alike are working to find ways to alleviate loneliness and stress. A happy, healthy driver is a safer driver with a better quality of life. Having a familiar face can help combat isolation, but it’s often tricky to find a passenger with the time and inclination to join truckers for road trips. Make way for trucking companies that allow pets.
A groundbreaking legal decision sets a precedent for the use of support animals on the job. A trucking company was found in violation of the law by disallowing a trucking applicant to continue through the hiring process as the applicant used a service dog.
For trucking companies considering allowing pets, or those that are working with applicants using service animals, liability can be a concern. Insurance is already vital in the trucking industry, protecting against liability and damage. Allowing pets adds one more potential risk. As an insurance producer with trucking clients or a trucking company looking to allow pets, securing the right insurance is key.
Insuring Trucking Companies That Allow Pets
If you are an insurance producer looking for a niche that will expand your business, consider writing insurance for trucking companies that allow pets. It is an area that is in demand, as truckers and trucking companies work to find ways to improve the work environment and attract and retain employees.
Your trucking company clients may have questions about risk and safety, which we can help answer. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does not set out any rules about trucking with pets so long as safety remains at the forefront. Some minor damage risk can be covered through a pet deposit or pay adjustment, and with restrictions on where a pet is allowed to be within the vehicle. Documentation of vaccines and other health certificates are recommended.
As for the insurance itself, the main concern is determining liability. Usually, trucking companies want to keep responsibility for the pet’s life and safety in the hands of the driver. Other liability concerns may include extensive damage to the vehicle, injury to clients or damage to their property, and any damage or injury the pet causes while on the road, such as at a truck stop. Talk to us about what we offer to trucking companies that allow pets to explore liability and how a company can set up its pet policy for best results.
Some insurance companies avoid allowing dogs deemed dangerous or aggressive, such as Pit Bulls or Rottweilers. Prime Insurance Company will provide coverage for trucking companies that allow pets and include these breeds, which can make a trucking company’s pet policy more attractive to prospective drivers.
Benefits for Trucking Companies That Allow Pets
The trucking industry has long faced a shortage of drivers, compounded by an aging employee population. To continue to exist, truck companies need to find ways to bring in new, younger employees who are willing to do the hard work of trucking.
Here’s a key fact: the millennial population is now the primary pet-owning demographic. Pet-friendly workplaces are in high demand. While people envision a dog on the job being in an office environment, trucking companies that allow pets can keep employees of all demographics in good spirits on the road. Many trucking forums and websites keep lists of companies that let dogs on board. It’s a decision that can have a significant positive impact. With the right insurance, the risk is mitigated or managed enough to make it worthwhile.
Click here for a general quote application form for Prime Insurance Company or send us an email at quotes@primeis.com. Call us at 800-257-5590 for more information or to speak with Prime about how we can help your trucking clients attract more drivers and improve the quality of life for their employees.
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Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, CEO, President, and Chairman of Prime Insurance Company
Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. Prime Insurance also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are Prime Insurance can help.
