Some years ago I posted with regularity on EO. My post were based on my many years of experience in the industry and meant to present a
realistic view of our chosen profession. At that time, there were very few Carrier/Owners participating. I have continued to browse the site from time to time to evaluate the topics of discussion. It appears that several of my peers are now involved from time to time and I decided tonight to weigh in once again.
Mike Pettrey, Steve Barrett, John Elliott, John Mueller and their companies are all members of TEANA, an organization that promotes ethical practices and professional attitudes within our industry. Their are many other members of TEANA and those members (for the most part) share many common beliefs. Mike posted regarding a topic that has had much discussion within the TEANA organization, and furthermore gave the members of this forum one of the reasons that many of our lesser known competitors are able to handle the "cheap" freight. Any O/O forum members that drive for these companies know that the costs of insurance is one of their highest expenses, because these companies require each and everyone of their O/O vehicles to provide a minimum of 1M 100K in coverage.
A recent rash of accidents and cargo claims by Carriers allowing O/O to operate without proper insurance coverages and falsifying insurance coverage for vehicles operating in their fleets have given those Carriers and their CUSTOMERS more headaches than anyone would want. Furthermore
Broker's interested in maximizing profits who fail to vet the carriers insurance CAN BE held responsible for a portion or all of the loses the carriers insurance does not cover.
TEANA is promoting a service provided by Shelly and John Benisch ( owners of CIS Insurance) that verifies proper insurance coverage on ALL vehicles listed ( whether O/O vehicles or company vehicles) with each member carrier.
VOI - stands for Verification of Insurance and is granted to those TEANA members who are properly and legally insuring each and every vehicle in their fleet. VOI is also granted to Brokers whose insurance is vetted by CIS.
If the company you are associated with, requires less than 1M 100K for your insurance coverage of your personally owned equipment, your company cannot attain VOI certification.
That of course does not mean that your company is participating in the hauling of cheap freight, however I can assure you that those companies that do have the VOI certification are NOT hauling cheap freight.
Cheap freight is not only the product of 'fly by night" Carriers but perpetuated by less than professional Brokers who attempt to cover loads by any Carrier bidding the lowest price.
So...
t-hawk...
that's what I can teach you about cheap freight
(hello to many of my old friends at EO...on this thread daveKC, OVM and others!)
Tom Robertson
A. Blair Enterprises
TEANA - VOI