Dealing with COVID-19 Pandemic as a Trucker
The spread of coronavirus has left even the most resilient industries facing changes. As a trucker, you may be wondering how you can stay physically and financially well during this time. Here are a few tips we’ve put together that you may want to apply to your business.
Staying Healthy
The WHO has provided several basic standards to follow to prevent or reduce the spread of coronavirus. These standards include maintaining at least 3 feet of distance between others, avoiding touching your mouth, nose and face, and following good respiratory hygiene. Here are a few other suggestions for truckers.
1. Research the areas you are traveling through.
Before you travel, spend a moment to find out as much as you can about the infiltration of the virus in the cities and states you are going to be passing through. This will help you determine your stops and plan accordingly for any requirements including mandatory masks in public.
2. Ensure your equipment is in good shape.
To lessen your chance of interacting with an infected person, you’ll want to be as sure as you can that your equipment will not require repair during your haul - especially if you are passing through an area with a high rate of infection.
3. Wash your hands.
Even though it has been stated hundreds of times, frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and avoid any hand to facial contact. Keep hand sanitizer and gloves in your cab and use them.
Securing Better Loads
We know it is extremely frustrating looking at an empty load board and we do not want to give indications that this is not a tough to time to garner well paying loads. The following are simple suggestions, not meant to solve all problems but to simply probe your memory concerning business opportunities that may have been fruitful in past.
1. Spend time talking to brokers and dispatchers that you may not have spoken to in some time.
Your success in the trucking business is based on several things, including your network and connections. Use this time to review your rate sheets for opportunities you may not have utilized and call the brokers and dispatchers you are not often in contact with to inquire about loads. This can help you find immediate opportunities as well as loads for the future.
2. Look outside your normal lanes of travel for loads that may now be available.
If you typically haul auto parts or non-essential products, consider looking at loads for other commodities. If you typically travel across several states, take a look at local loads with companies you may have overlooked in the past. Give us a call to determine if any changes to your policy are necessary as you explore different commodities.
3. Lastly, be optimistic when you make your calls.
Although this may be a major changing point in your business, it is important to recognize that opportunities still lie ahead. When calling around to look for loads, try to be optimistic about the outcome. It’s been shown that your attitude has an effect on your success and that people are more attracted (and likely to do business with) positive people.
Managing Your Insurance Payments
COVID-19 has created major disruption the transportation insurance market.
Many of our underwriters are experiencing slower processing turnaround as most commercial insurance personnel are working from home.
This pandemic has also caused premium finance companies and insurance carriers to seek ways to assist their trucking clientele in reducing some of the financial burdens experienced during these difficult times.
We will update you as we receive information on payment deferments and extension. In the meantime, one of the first actions you can take if your trucking company is in need of assistance is to contact your premium finance company to request an extension on upcoming payments.
If you are a Stamos Insurance Agency client in need of assistance related to the slowdown caused by COVID-19, please click the “Get Help” button below and we will give you a call to discuss your options.