Keeping fleet insurance costs and claims under control

Insurance is one of the biggest fixed costs for a fleet, and one of the least understood. We are not insurers or brokers, so talk to your own insurer or broker about your policy. What we can share are the everyday habits that make a fleet safer, which is good for your drivers and your business, and usually makes the conversation with an insurer easier.

Know what your policy covers and requires

Read your policy for what is covered, what is excluded, what you must do after an incident and how quickly you must report it. Many problems with claims come from details nobody read until something went wrong.

Never let cover lapse

Driving without valid insurance is a serious risk for the driver and the business. Put every renewal date for every vehicle in one register, set reminders well ahead, and give one person the job of checking it each week.

Choose and look after your drivers

• Check each driver's licence and experience before you hand over a vehicle.
• Agree clear rules on speed, phones, rest and the use of the vehicle after hours.
• Talk to drivers about near misses, and thank them for reporting problems.

Keep vehicles roadworthy

A vehicle with worn tyres or faulty brakes is a danger on the road, and it can make a claim harder to defend. Daily driver checks and a preventive maintenance routine catch problems early, and give you a record that shows the vehicle was looked after.

Record everything after an incident

When something happens, a clear and quick record helps everyone. Write down the facts, take photos, collect the other party's details and witnesses, and report to your insurer promptly. A prepared form in every vehicle makes this much easier in a stressful moment.

Think about security

For vehicles that are at risk of theft, tracking devices and immobilisers can make theft harder and recovery easier. Ask your insurer whether they recognise the security measures you use.

Review your claims and near misses

Look at your incidents every few months. Are they the same drivers, the same routes, the same time of day, the same type of fault? Patterns show you where a small change, such as a route change, extra training or a repair, could prevent the next one.

Talk to your insurer with good records

Good records of maintenance, driver checks and incidents show that you manage risk. We cannot promise what that will mean for your premium, because that is a decision for your insurer, but a well run fleet is a stronger position to negotiate from.

Where we can help

We supply and install vehicle tracking devices, with add-ons such as dashcams and immobilisers, and our compliance support helps keep renewals in order. Fleet Command Hub keeps inspections, maintenance records and incident reports for every vehicle in one place.