Fleets, Trucking, Auto Sales and Service
Trucking
Trucks are big. Trucks are cool. Trucks are giant crates of liability on 18 wheels.
In the trucking business, insurance is a very large expense due to the sheer nature and costs associated with the risk of hauling goods. A trucking firm simply can’t survive unless it’s insured properly. Of course, we also realize that the trucking industry is very competitive and that controlling your costs is absolutely critical to your success.
There’s a perception that insurance rates are not within your control. There’s also a perception that truckers are on CB radios all day saying stuff like, “breaker, breaker.” Neither one is entirely true; with respect to your insurance, there are strategies you can implement that can improve your insurance rate, such as:
- Developing a long term relationship with your Horizon Insurance team
- Initiating and maintaining an effective safety program
- Attracting only the best drivers and rewarding them accordingly — do not settle!
- Paying close attention to your growth and exploration into the United States market
- Creating a policy to report claims immediately; this can aid in the lowering of the cost of a claim.
Commercial Auto Fleets
If you commanded a fleet of ships you would be known as a Commodore. As you approached, people would salute you and say, “greetings, Commodore.” But alas, they’re not ships and this is Manitoba, where you’re referred to as someone who operates a fleet of vehicles. And here’s how you insure it.
Essentially, MPI’s Fleet Program rewards safe driving and vehicle maintenance. The lower the losses MPI pays out in claims against the vehicles in your fleet, the less you'll have to pay for insurance.
To qualify as a fleet, you must have at least 10 vehicles registered (including vehicles under dealer and repairer plates) on the first day of any customer month in your registration period. You must also meet the required minimum number of insured days, and there is a number of exempt vehicles that do not qualify under the leasing program.
In fact, most aspects of the Fleet Program are fairly lengthy and complex, so rather than rehash it all here we’ve provided the following links and contact info:
- To peruse the complete Fleet Program Rate and Surcharge tables for yourself, visit the MPI website.
- To find out if your vehicles qualify as a fleet, contact MPI’s Fleet Unit at (204) 985-7501, (204) 985-7510 or 1-800-406-1886.
- Or if you’d rather have us provide you with all the information you need, we don’t blame you, and you can contact us here. If you like, we’ll even address you as Commodore.
Automotive Services and Dealers
If you’re an auto body shop, repair shop or used car dealer, Horizon can provide the right insurance solutions for your business as well. In addition, we have a very competitive group program for new car dealers through the Canadian Auto Dealers Association.
Contact Us
Finally, if you any help navigating all this convoluted information (and we’re guessing that you probably will), contact Kurt Gutoski. Think of him as your GPS for commercial auto insurance.
