Did you know? Storing your business vehicles in a locked, secure location and investing in GPS devices could help you qualify for lower premiums on your Commercial Auto Insurance. Why? Because these practices, along with a handful of others, may help prevent you from having to file an auto insurance claim. Read on to learn more about steps you can take to reduce risks to your business vehicles and call Direct Auto Insurance to see how much you could be saving on commercial auto insurance.

Set clear driving and vehicle use guidelines

Communicating clear policies and procedures for the use of your business's vehicles is one of the easiest ways to prevent auto accidents, keep your employees safer, and your vehicles in good condition.

Require that seat belts be worn at all times

Almost every state in the U.S. has seat belt laws. Though specific laws vary from state to state, wearing a seat belt remains the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in car accidents, reports the Center for Disease Control. If employees have a habit of forgetting to wear their seat belt, place a "Buckle-Up!" sticker near the car's dashboard or in a central area of the vehicle.

Set a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving

The consequences of a DUI/DWI could be severe for both your driver and your business's reputation. Even a single alcoholic beverage can impact a driver's reaction time. Instituting a policy of periodic alcohol and drug testing could help deter drinking and driving in the workplace.

Institute training & rules that prevent distracted driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2011 over 3,331 people were killed and over 387,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents connected to distracted driving. This includes using a cell phone, eating, drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio/CD player, and more. Distracted driving is any behavior that takes a driver's attention away from the task of driving. The National Safety Council's Free Cell Phone Policy Kit is a great place to start for sample policies and activities to build employee and leadership buy-in, as is Road Safety at Work for a Sample Employer Policy on Distracted Driving.

Limit vehicle use to only work-related activities

Some employees may need to use the same car for work and personal use, but if possible, limit business vehicle use to work-related activities. This reduces the risk of complications in the event that you have to file a claim, but also keeps your vehicles off the road during unnecessary times.

Create a work environment that discourages speeding

Be aware of how your employees' time is scheduled. Are their appointments booked so close together that they have to speed in order to make it on time? Do your best to allow for a sufficient and realistic amount of time between assignments or clients. This could keep employees from speeding, reduce the risk of an accident, and even help reduce fuel costs.

Another way to encourage your employees to go the speed limit is to make it a team event! The DirectDrive App provides users with real-time feedback on braking, acceleration, and speeding, so that users can immediately improve their driving habits. Drivers receive points for safe habits like smooth braking and driving at lower speeds, and compete with other drivers by climbing the app's leaderboard. Who will climb the highest in your company?

Lock & Secure Business Vehicles

Parking your commercial vehicles in a locked, guarded, or otherwise secure area may benefit your business in a few ways. First, it could help deter theft and vandalism, especially if the parking area is monitored by security personnel or has surveillance cameras. Second, the lower the risk of damage to your vehicles, the greater the chances that you could qualify for lower commercial auto policy premiums. Spending a little extra money to park your vehicles in a secure area could end up saving you in the long run in terms of downtime and insurance costs!

Conduct Ongoing Driver Training

A safe fleet starts with safe drivers. A well-trained driver is less likely to make costly, and potentially dangerous, mistakes while driving. Employees who regularly drive work vehicles should receive driver training, especially if the vehicle type or size is new to them. This training could be as simple as a refresher course on defensive driving that includes information about following distances and proper backing techniques. Or, it could also be a hands-on commercial driver's license course.

Think you could be saving more on your business's commercial auto insurance policy? Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT to get a new quote today! You may be able to further lower the cost of your insurance with discounts and one of our flexible payment plans.

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