Rescue Your Revenue

Don’t Let Delays Derail You: How Expedite Drivers Can Strengthen Their Downtime Claims

Expedite trucking is a high-speed, high-stakes business. Every delay, whether caused by an accident, a shop backlog, or insurance slowdowns can eat into your income fast. But not all delays are created equal, and how you respond makes a huge difference.

In this month’s Rescue Your Revenue, we’re spotlighting a key factor many drivers overlook: shop delays and how documenting them can make or break your claim.

Why Shop Delays Matter

After a crash, getting your truck into a repair shop is just the beginning. What happens next; waiting on parts, a backed-up service bay, or lack of communication can stretch your downtime by days or even weeks.

Insurers won’t always want to pay for those extra days. So how do you prove that the delays weren’t your fault?

 3 Ways to Protect Yourself from Shop Delays

1. Get Written Documentation

Always ask the shop to note:

• When your truck was brought in
• When work began
• What caused any delays (e.g., waiting on parts, labor shortage)

Shops are used to this. A simple statement from them could help you recover more of your lost income.

2. Follow Up in Writing

Don’t rely on phone calls. Every time you check on the status of repairs, follow up with a short email confirming what was said. That paper trail matters when it’s time to submit your demand package.

3. Track Every Day Off the Road

From the moment of impact to the day your truck rolls again, log your days down. Missed loads. Lost contracts. Idle days. These details help attorneys, claims adjusters, and insurers understand the full scope of your financial loss.

Why Expedite Drivers Are Hit Harder

Expedite operations are time-sensitive. Missing even one delivery window can mean losing the client and future jobs. That makes the financial impact of delays even greater for expediters than for standard haulers.

And unlike large fleets, many owner-operators can’t afford a backup truck or substitute equipment. Every downtime day is a direct income hit.

Final Thought

You can’t always control delays, but you can control how well you document them. And that documentation might just be the difference between a denied claim and a fair recovery.

If you’re navigating a downtime claim or worried about one down the road, start tracking today. Future you will thank you.

The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended as legal advice.