When it comes to owning commercial trucks, one thing that is very important for any company is making sure that the cargo is secure. This does not just include the possibility of damage as a result of bad stacking or placement, but also means preventing that cargo from being stolen because if you try to file a commercial truck insurance claim and they can prove the incident could have been prevented,. You might find yourself having to pay for the cargo instead of letting the insurance company pay for it.
Even if you are not being paid to actually load the truck, it is important that throughout the loading process that you are present. If you feel that the cargo is not loaded safely, you have a right to ask them to repack it because once the truck pulls away from the loading dock your company will be responsible for it arriving in the same condition it was loaded in. Keep things neat and clean. In the case you are dealing in the food transportation business, cleanliness is important as it helps prevent contamination.
Make sure that every single door and access panel to the cargo area is properly shut and secure. This may also include any seals on the doors and panels as well as locks to prevent access. Once all of this has been done, then go through your regular safety check-list before you even hop into the cab of the truck. While all of these seem to be common sense, these so far can actually prevent you from filing a claim if something turns up missing or damaged.
You will then need to determine a time and date in which the delivery of the cargo will be considered as over due and make sure your clients have a way of reaching the driver in the event that he or she is overdue. In most cases, theft of cargo usually starts less than a mile away from the loading dock with the criminals waiting for your departure and the perfect moment to make a move. This means you have to keep a look out for suspicious behaviors as well as the possibility of seeing the same vehicles over and over again.
Never make any unscheduled stops between the loading dock and the cargo's destination and in the event that suspicious activity is noticed, contact the local authorities immediately. Making sure that the truck is kept secured and that the driver and dispatch are in constant contact will help prevent any possible cargo theft.
Above all, remember that until the cargo has been completely off loaded from the truck and has been accounted for at its point of destination, you are responsible for it.
There are many factors that might prevent your company obtaining a cheap commercial vehicle insurance quote, and your insurance claims history is one of them, so make sure you keep everything safe.
by Ray Baker
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