'Simple rules that at a glance will detail a minimum requirement'
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6 L ike a creeping paralysis, the criminal element of this country has latched on to the commercial vehicle as a soft target upon which to ply their 'trade'. Many depots and warehouses now enjoy Fort Knox-style security, meaning that today, more than ever, operators need to secure and insure both their vehicles and their loads. A simple task? It should be, but despite the increase in load theft and vehicle hi-jacking, a frustrating scenario is being acted out up and down the country as fleet managers and operators try to meet the demands of their insurance companies. Take Fred, for example. He's a trucker who has decided to go it alone. He's just bought a brand new rig and visits his broker to arrange some insurance. "Joe Bloggs Vehicle Insurance," explains the broker. "It offers a 10% discount on vehicle insurance at the moment, if you use a recommended installer to fit approved security equipment." "Right," says Fred, "how much will it cost?" "About £500," replies the broker, "but you'll be getting top-of-the-range security on your vehicle and if you stay with them for three years the 10% discount will pay for the equipment." "Okay," says Fred, "Where do I sign?" Two weeks later, and Fred wins his first major order. "I'll give you a 12-month contract delivering clothing from our Factory to our shops," says the contractor. "You have got goods-in-transit insurance, haven't you?" I need to know my clothes are insured." "Not yet," says Fred, returning to his broker, "but I will have soon." "Joe Bloggs Marine Insurance," says the broker, "It specialises in Goods in Transit but you'll need to have their approved equipment fitted by one of their installers. That'll be £500 please." "What?", says Fred, "I've just spent that fitting alarms, immobilisers and locks for Joe Bloggs Vehicle insurance." "Same company, Fred," says the broker. "Different department though." Sounds Familiar? I've been talking to a lot of insurance companies lately, explaining to them that it's high time the guys on the third Hoar, who insure the loads, start talking to the guys on the second Floor, who insure the trucks. Until they do, the transport industry will continue to go round in circles. It's a foolhardy operator who fits no security to his fleet, but it is equally ill-conceived to double up, or fit additional immobilisers stipulated by one policy when those fitted to meet the small print of a previous policy are perfectly adequate For the job. What we want is standardisation. A simple set of rules that, at a glance, will detail the minimum requirement to immobilise a 40Ft artic unit or secure a 7.5-tonne box van. Until this happens, and insurance companies talk to each other and to the professional people in our industry, the whole system will remain Fragmented with everyone pulling in a different direction, even though we all have one common goal—to beat the thief.