$150K+ Savings: How Persistence Pays in Captive Insurance

The Challenge

Mockingbird Transport was built from the ground up. Unified by their business motto "One Team, One Dream", Rey and Cindy Vargas built something remarkable in Donna, Texas. Starting as a truck driver for a big fleet in the valley, he'd grown his own trucking company to 50 trucks and earned respect as one of the most successful operators in the area.

But Mockingbird Transport's insurance strategy hadn't kept pace with their success. As a growing company with an excellent safety record and minimal claims, they were paying standard market rates that didn't reflect his operational excellence. Their insurance program needed to match the company's reputation and financial discipline.

Why Cottingham & Butler

For a year and a half, Cottingham & Butler attempted to get in touch with Rey but was unable to connect. Finally, our team showed up at his office and left a detailed report about our small fleet captive program. That got his attention - he called back on our drive home asking why we'd been so persistent.

The answer was simple: we saw the potential in what Mockingbird Transport's current program was missing. We scheduled a meeting to discuss captive insurance opportunities, but Rey did his homework first. The night before, he had dinner with a friend, who was an existing Cottingham & Butler captive member, to get the real story on what we'd be proposing. That due diligence convinced him we were worth serious consideration.

The Results

1. $150,000+ in annual savings compared to standard market options
   

2. Dividend eligibility providing additional year-end returns based on captive performance
   

3. Enhanced partnership with weekly strategic discussions and constant communication
   

4. Industry networking through captive events including Nashville Captive Connections and Dubuque Overdrive Workshop
   

5. Strategic alignment between insurance program and company growth trajectory

What Made the Difference

Relentless Persistence: Sometimes the best opportunities require the longest pursuit. A year and a half of consistent outreach proved our commitment.

Peer Validation: Rey's dinner with an existing captive client provided third-party credibility that no sales pitch could match.

Ongoing Partnership: Weekly conversations and constant communication ensure alignment on both operational and strategic issues.

Industry Expertise: Understanding that a growing, safety-focused fleet deserved better than commodity pricing.

Event Integration: Facilitating connections through industry events that strengthen relationships and provide continued education.

The Takeaway

The right insurance partnership is worth waiting for - and worth pursuing relentlessly. Mockingbird Transport saved over $150,000 during their first year with Cottingham & Butler while building a true strategic partnership.

Sometimes the clients who are hardest to reach become your most successful partnerships.

Ready to explore how captive insurance could transform your transportation company's bottom line? Contact Cottingham & Butler to discover if your fleet's safety record and growth trajectory make you a captive candidate.