Orlando, Fla.—This year as in every other year, we take the time to share with you the industry events on calendar from for the first quarter of 2021.
Given the public health situation which continues to complicate the scenario for large meetings and conventions many of the events have gone virtual, at least until we reach a safer stage in this pandemic with the mass distribution of effective vaccines at a time advised by the CDC in coordination with the US Department of Health.
January 20-22
Sponsored by California Trucking Association— The Annual Membership Conference is going Virtual. With the theme of “Bridging the Gap.” This convention includes general topics from Covid Impact on Insurance to How to Deploy EV Trucks in 2021.
January 25-28
Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance—COHMED Conference also virtual. If you are involved in hazmat transportation, regulation, enforcement or safety, or are simply interested in learning more about it, the first-ever Virtual COHMED Conference is an online training opportunity you will not want to miss.
January 25-27
Sponsored by SMC3
Jump Start—best known as an Intelligence Gathering—This year, there will be emphasis on the information you need to know about coming off of a historic, disruptive year for the supply chain and what the road to recovery looks like.
February 14-18
NATSO Connect— This event will not be held in person this year, and you must check back with their page or register to obtain more details as they are released. NATSO Connect is produced by NATSO—a non-profit trade association that provides solutions to truckstop and travel plaza member challenges and influences government action on behalf of the industry.
March 1-5
Virtual CVSA/FMCSA Data Quality and Systems Training—State inspection and crash reporting efforts are vital to the success of FMCSA’s data-driven safety programs, which prioritize resources for the greatest impact on large truck and bus safety. This training has become a much-anticipated event that demonstrates federal, state and CVSA’s commitment to reporting quality data.
March 15-18
Sponsored by the American Association of Port Authorities is the Spring Conference, which will take place in Washington, DC. Sessions focus on current trends in the maritime industry of relevance to all Western Hemisphere ports and US policy issues.
Some other events originally scheduled for the Q1 of 2021 are being postponed for later in the year.
At Florida Transportation Insurance we make it a mission, to keep you well informed about industry trends and events that can be highly beneficial to your business. In most cases helping you avoid some risks and keeping you safer.
With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to help protect your drivers and public auto businesses. Our specialized carrier network and knowledgeable underwriters can offer you insurance coverage that are unmatched in the same day, expedited delivery and logistics industries.
We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you. Give us a call right now to speak with one of our local licensed, experienced agents, or if you prefer using online technology, just clic on Florida Transportation Insurance any time of a day to receive quotes and more information.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced a new rule that makes it easier for drivers to get their Commercial Driver’s License. FMCSA has been focused on reducing regulatory barriers for CDL applicants.
Orlando, Fla.—It is what everyone is talking about these days. The world remains in readiness for, and Florida is going to be the one to give the vaccine to the countries in Latin America, whether it goes by air or ocean, according to the director of Global Trade and Business Development at PortMiami.
Right now, there are hopes waiting for FDA approval on three different vaccine producers for Covid-19. Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.
Pfizer, for example, has developed packaging and storage innovations to be fit for purpose for the range of locations where we believe vaccinations will take place. We have specially designed, temperature-controlled thermal shippers utilizing dry ice to maintain recommended temperature conditions of -70°C±10°C for up to 10 days. The intent is to utilize Pfizer-strategic transportation partners to ship by air to major hubs within a country/region and by ground transport to dosing locations. The Pfizer thermal shippers, in which doses will arrive, can be used as temporary storage units by refilling with dry ice for up to 15 days of storage. After storage for 15 days in the Pfizer thermal shipper, vaccination centers can transfer the vials to 2-8°C storage conditions for an additional five days, for a total of 20 days. Once thawed and stored under 2-8°C conditions, the vials cannot be re-frozen or stored under frozen condition. (Source: Pfizer Distribution Fact Sheet).
Moderna's vaccine can be stored in a standard home or medical refrigerator for up to 30 days. According to the company their hope is to have 20 million doses ready to ship in the U.S. by the end of the year. For shipping and longer-term storage, Moderna expects that mRNA-1273 will be maintained at -20°C (-4°F), equal to most home or medical freezer temperatures, for up to 6 months. Using standard freezer temperatures of -20°C (range of -25° to -15°C or -13° to 5°F) is an easier and more established method of distribution and storage than deep freezing and most pharmaceutical distribution companies have the capability to store and ship products at -20°C (-4°F) worldwide.
Moderna is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Operation Warp Speed and McKesson (NYSE: MCK), a COVID-19 vaccine distributor contracted by the U.S. government, as well as global stakeholders to be prepared for distribution of mRNA-1273, in the event that it receives an Emergency Use Authorization and/or similar global authorizations. The Company is also working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to submit data from its ongoing stability testing for approval. (Source: Moderna Press Release).
A distribution plan for AstraZeneca has yet to published, but according to sources it will have lower storage/distribution requirements than the two above.
At Florida Transportation Insurance, similarly to how your clients depend on you for Package Delivery and Last Mile Services, you can depend on the advice of our local agents to help protect your business.
With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses. Our specialized carrier network and knowledgeable underwriters can offer you insurance coverage that are unmatched in the same day, expedited delivery and logistics industries.
We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you. Give us a call right now to speak with one of our local licensed, experienced agents, or if you prefer using online technology, just clic on Florida Transportation Insurance any time of a day to receive quotes and more information.
Orlando, Fla.— These should be very encouraging news.
A report from Logistics Managers Index revealed that September’s robust readings are driven primarily by the tightening capacity in both transportation and warehousing as the demand for logistics services increases ahead of the fourth quarter.
On Oct. 29, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will announce the gross domestic product for the third quarter, and a record-setting growth is expected. According to industry sources, van load rates in September were up 28.8% compared with a year ago, and have continued to rise in October averaging $2.46 per mile, a 9-cent increase since the beginning of the month. Flatbed rates are up 9.9% year-over-year and have jumped a nickel in the past two weeks, also to $2.46 a mile. Refrigerated rates are up 19% year-over-year — and 3 cents in the past two weeks — to $2.60 per mile.
Capacity in the industry is as tight as it has been in years, as per the American Trucking Associations.
As we know, this particular year e-commerce is expected to be at record-high levels during the holiday season. Retailers are doing what is needed to keeping those sales by restocking their inventories, especially those those with more challenges— coming from international suppliers who showed more difficulty to make regular deliveries early on during the lockdown.
Over-the-road carriers are enjoying a period of volume growth and pricing power that would have been considered shocking but welcomed, from an April 2020 vantage point.
A report from Act Research, a recognized leading publisher of commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis, and forecasting services for the North American market, revealed important economic information for the U.S., and what to expect this Q4. According to ACT, our economy is recovering from the pandemic in a ‘K-shaped’ pattern, while the freight economy is experiencing a ‘V-shaped’ recovery pattern (in other words, better than the rest). Other segments that are experiencing an ‘L-shaped’ pattern.
At Florida Transportatiopn Insurance, similarly to how your clients depend on you for Package Delivery and Last Mile Services, you can depend on the advice of our local agents to help protect your business.
With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses. Our specialized carrier network and knowledgeable underwriters can offer you insurance coverage that are unmatched in the same day, expedited delivery and logistics industries.
We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you. Give us a call right now to speak with one of our local licensed, experienced agents, or if you prefer using online technology, just clic on Florida Transportation Insurance any time of a day to receive quotes and more information.
Orlando, Fla.—During this pandemic period, last-mile fleets such as FedEx, Amazon, XPO and UPS have been dealing with a spike in demand at the same time they’ve had to implement safety protocols to protect employees and customers. E-commerce has been accelerating for the past 3-5 years and the logistics industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic simply accelerated this growth, with safety and fear being prominent driving factors for traditional shoppers wanting to avoid public places and the airborne virus.
Consumers now, clearly have a preference towards retailers that offer at-the-door delivery, for many good reasons. The problem is that this model does not necessarily work on every company, as it is not designed to be a one-size-fits-all strategy. Every business needs to find the model that best suits their operational needs and will provide a competitive advantage to position them for success in the next phase of e-commerce growth.
The last-mile race is proving to be the most expensive component. For example, according to Institutional Investor, Amazon will have to spend tens of billions of dollars year after year to ship the hundreds of millions of products bought online by consumers who are increasingly demanding next-day delivery.
New cost structures along with adapting to a new budget model can be challenging for retailers. The transportation cost brings a need to figure out how it impacts the bottom line and whether product prices need to increase to help offset costs and stay profitable. That is exactly why protecting your business against potential risks with adequate insurance coverage becomes so important.
Also, outsourcing last-mile to a third party logistics could represent a lower overhead, offsetting additional transportation costs that may arise. Using a reliable and relationship-based partner in e-commerce can help you scale faster and more efficiently last-mile arena.
At Florida Transportation Insurance, our agents understand the courier and delivery industry— and that enables us to design risk strategies that protect and serve all areas of your business, including the most specialized. In addition, our specialized carrier network and knowledgeable underwriters can offer you insurance coverage that are unmatched in the same day, expedited delivery and logistics industries.
Business We Insure
• Same Day Delivery
• Courier Service
• Home Delivery
• White Glove Delivery
• Expedited Delivery
• Freight Broker / Forwarder
• Restaurant Delivery
• Grocery Delivery
• Logistics & Warehouse Services
Remember we are all in this together. With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses from owner/operators to fleets owners. We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you. Give us a call right now to speak with one of our local licensed, experienced agents, or if you prefer using online technology, just clic on Florida Transportation Insurance any time of a day to receive quotes and more information.
Orlando, Fla.—According to experts, the challenge with truck automation is building a trustworthy, AI-powered virtual driver that can effectively process information from a wide array of sensors, like lots and lots of high-quality cameras, but also lidar-- which is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (distances) to a target,— and radar.
Fleets have experienced a sales decrease due to last mile seeing a surge because of the nationwide COVID-19 quarantine for much of the spring and more deliveries to homes, Classes 2 through 7 were down far less at 11%. That after removing Class 5, which grew over the first five months of 2020 for a 25% decrease. Class 8 chassis sales went down by 28% and tractor sales down 40% through May. Overall, Class 8 sales dropped 35%.
On the other hand, fleets will still need new trucks, and the good news is that the equipment available in 2020 is more than capable of achieving the uptime and efficiency required to outlast the onslaught of plagues besetting the industry. Along with safety, ease of driving is also at the forefront. According to American Trucker, the jury is still out on how far autonomous technology will go in the heavy-duty sector. As defined by SAE International, Levels 1 and 2 require a human driver to be in command, while Level 3 requires some intervention, and Levels 4 (under many conditions) and 5 do not.
That means, fully autonomous trucking may be one step closer to reality.
The two areas of notable growth that can have the fastest impact on safety, performance and efficiency are advanced driver-assistance systems and aerodynamic kits.
Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks, have already introduced driver-assist technology, an electric motor connected to the hydraulic steering column, that makes turning the wheel far easier when backing into a spot or just fighting crosswind on the highway.
The smoother profiles of next-gen trucks such as the Tesla Semi or concepts such as the Shell Starship and Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune already indicate how original equipment manufacturer engineers are trying to overcome air resistance and improve efficiency.
The most significant trend seen in 2020 is the inclusion of collision mitigation where the system guard detects vehicles sneaking up on the sides of the trailer.
This time of pandemic has really helped us prioritize that, finding equipment that can help predict at the same time it lowers costs as a minimum will mitigate the financial damage of this year 2020.
Remember we are all in this together. With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses from owner/operators to fleets owners. We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you. Give us a call right now to speak with one of our local licensed, experienced agents, or if you prefer using online technology, just clic on Florida Transportation Insurance any time of a day to receive quotes and more information.
Orlando, Fla.—Not only have we not gotten out of the woods yet with the pandemic, but the most important season in is fast approaching. It is no secret that many businesses have experienced serious consequences in terms of financial loss, and a quick and safe come back is eagerly sought by the entire nation for the sake of our economy.
Americans were already fond of online shopping, and the convenience of getting virtually everything right at your doorstep. Now that we are getting used to the “stay at home” concept those who were not taking advantage of delivery services have either learned how to use them, or been forced to trust more. That means, delivery businesses have boomed, but is it temporary? Well, the virus is still there threatening our way of life, and the holiday season is also there offering hope.
If you are in the package delivery industry, you want to make sure you protect your business now more than ever, keeping proper insurance coverage for the unexpected. You need to have an action plan if one of your employees gets infected by COVID-19 while on the job.
Also these guidelines provided by OSHA can help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus:
Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
Establish flexible work hours where feasible.
Practice sensible social distancing and maintain six feet between co-workers where possible.
Minimize interaction between drivers and customers by leaving deliveries at loading docks, doorsteps, or other locations that do not require person-to-person exposures.
Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Provide tissues, as well as disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces, including vehicle interiors.
Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus.
Discourage workers from using other workers’ tools and equipment.
Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
Additional recommendations from the CDC include:
Limited contact with frequently touched surfaces during pickups and deliveries, such as countertops, elevator buttons, doorbells, door handles, radio buttons, etc.
Avoid sharing scanners, pens, or other tools with customers.
Use a foot, shoulder, elbow, hip, or forearm instead of hands when opening doors at pick-up and delivery sites, if possible.
The following actions are key moments to enphasize on their clean hands on job:
Before and after work shifts
Before and after work breaks
Before and after making a delivery
After putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings
After touching frequently touched surfaces such as doorbells or door handles
Before wearing and after removing cold-weather gloves
Before and after pumping gas
Remember we are all in this together. With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses from owner/operators to fleets owners. We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you.
Orlando, Fla.—It is almost imposible to believe that with the times we’re living in, truck companies and drivers facing so many challenges already with the global pandemic which has completely changed the tapestry of the way we all do business, added to the threat of a possible dramatic increase on insurance premiums, and now— truck drivers are challenged by riots and vandals looking to cause damage to their truck while in states or cities with lack of police vigilance in some cases non existing.
As reported by cdlife.com one angry protester took out his frustrations on two trucks in Louisiana. The company owns 3 trucks and has them leased on with the family’s business which started fifty years ago. They had even added a new set of fenders 3 days before the vandalism. However, knowing that trucking insurance is expensive, the did not even consider to turn this incident into a claim.
Thanks to video surveillance, police identified the suspect and was brought to justice.
In New Bedford, vandals targeted a truck that the United Way uses to deliver food. Staff members were getting ready for a routine day, taking donated foods to local food pantries in need when they noticed the vandalism. The front window was fixed immediately, but the truck wasn’t ready to be driven, although staff members said nothing woud stop them from serving those in need.
Not only these are sad stories, but ones that continue to add to the cost burden for repairs on these already stressed out hard workers.
We have not stressed enough, the importance of truck drivers and the trucking industry in our daily routines. From food to medical supplies, and we are now at the beginning of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Day in and day out, a truck driver saves our lives out there, putting themselves at risk for us to bring home those essential supplies.
Our local presence in the state of Florida eliminates the need to find insurance trough an agent you never met. As your insurance agents, it is our responsibility to provide you the best service and coverage, at the best possible price.
With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses from owner/operators to fleets owners. We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you.
Orlando, Fla.—For public transportation business owners, today's Florida business environment is complex.
Additionally, 70% of transportation of the insurance companies believe the business environment was already a high risk, and now comes the COVID-19. In spite of lost revenues and even COVID-19 dangers presented to their workforce, transit providers, commonly viewed as static and inflexible, have responded to these extraordinary circumstances to serve their communities. Older adults, for example, have major challenges. They have been urged to stay home because the risk of severe illness increases with age. These individuals often do not drive and may have limited financial resources. Yet, they still need food and possibly medication, and they may need to make routine yet lifesaving trips like medical appointments. Most Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) businesses are regulated by the state, each state levies minimum insurance requirements. Furthermore, many paratransit companies are contracted with various transportation Managers (Logisticare, MTM, Access2Care, Transcare, etc.) that have additional insurance requirements.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), demand for public transportation has plummeted during the pandemic—by as much as 75-85 percent in cities such as Washington, Copenhagen, and Buenos Aires. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, as an example, projects losses of as much as $52 million per month due to COVID-19-related lifestyle changes, waived bus fares, and the economic downturn. Beyond financial loss for transit agencies, their drivers are taking personal risk.
The recent CARES Act provides an unprecedented $25 billion lifeline back to hemorrhaging transit budgets and offers transit operators increased spending flexibility. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
Funding under the CARES Act can be used to reimburse operating costs associated with providing fare-free service. FTA funds net operating costs, or those costs that cannot reasonably be financed by fare revenues. In the case of fare-free service, FTA would fund the total operating costs, as there are no fare revenues to deduct to get to net operating cost.
Operators that meet the definition of public transportation service, and that are otherwise eligible to be a recipient or sub-recipient under the Urbanized Area Formula Program or the Rural Areas Formula Program may receive CARES Act funding if allocated funds by the designated recipient. To receive funding as a recipient or sub-recipient, the public transportation operations must meet all eligibility and program requirements of either Section 5307 or Section 5311.
One way to protect your public transportation business from losses and other risks, is to have it properly insured. Use the advice of local specialists, to explore the options available in the market, and make the changes that are necessary to keep your business afloat.
Some of the most related to this pandemic Public Auto insurance that we offer:
Non-emergency Medical Transport
Ambulances
Limousines
Social Service/Non-Profits
Ambulette Operation
Alternatives providers as part of transit
Municipal Entities and/or Private Contractors
Non-Emergency Hospital Transport
Airport Shuttle Vans
Church Buses
With 10+ years in the Central Florida transportation insurance industry, our staff and agents, have the knowledge to protect drivers and public auto businesses from owner/operators to fleets owners. We know what it takes to keep your business on the road safely and profitably. With some of the best coverages and services in the industry, along with our extensive experience in the transportation industry, we can make it an advantage for you.
Orlando, Fla.—The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working with states, industry stakeholders, and motor carriers to distribute one million protective face masks for truckers which were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
DISTRIBUTION CENTERS NEARBY
Georgia
I-75 southbound, mile marker 179, in Forsyth/Juliette, GA just north of Macon, GA.
Georgia Inspection Stations
I-85 southbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Franklin County Inspection Station) MM 169
I-95 southbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Chatham County Inspection Station) MM 111 I-75 northbound at Georgia – Florida Border (Lowndes County Inspection Station) MM 23
I-75 southbound at Georgia – Tennessee Border (Catoosa County Inspection Station) MM 343
I-85 northbound at Georgia – Alabama Border (Troup County Inspection Station) MM 23
I-95 northbound at Georgia – Florida Border (McIntosh County Inspection Station) MM 55
I-20 westbound at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Columbia County Inspection Station) MM 188
I-20 westbound at Georgia – Alabama Border (Douglas County Inspection Station) MM 43
I-16 westbound from Savanah Port Area (Bryan County Inspection Station) MM 144
Texas
I-35 Northbound at mile marker 362A approximately 5 miles south of Hillsboro, midway between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Waco
All Texas inspection sites:
Mount Pleasant – I-30
Queen City – US 59
New Waverly – I-45
Falfurrias – US 281
Riviera – US 77
Penwell – I-20
Devine – I-35
Seguin – I-10
For detailed distribution locations, including other routes, and current dates of distribution, please visit: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/masks
Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.
Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.
Immediate precursor raw materials—such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of essential items.
Fuel.
Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine.
Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes.
Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services.
There is no specific documentation required for verification. Retention of ordinary business records, such as the bill of lading, may be useful later for the convenience of the motor carrier and driver, to document use of the exemption during a future inspection or enforcement action.
It is also good to konw that, the FMCSA continues to recognize the validity of commercial driver’s licenses issued by Canadian Provinces and Territories and Licencias Federales de Conductor issued by the United Mexican States, in accordance with 49 CFR part 383, when such jurisdictions issue a similar notice or declaration extending the validity date of the medical examination and certification and/or validity of the corresponding commercial driver’s license due to interruption to government service resulting from COVID-19.
If you are an owner/operator of a truck company and have insurance issues, or questions please contact us at Florida Transportation Insurance (407) 501-8275 we’ll be happy to assist!
