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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is modernizing its Safety Measurement System (SMS) to enhance road safety and simplify compliance monitoring. Here's what motor carriers need to know about the upcoming changes. Three Major Updates 1. Streamlined Compliance Categories The FMCSA has reorganized its compliance categories to better reflect safety priorities: A new "Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed" category separates violations that drivers can identify during routine inspections Controlled Substances/Alcohol violations now fall under Unsafe Driving Operating while Out-of-Service violations are consolidated into relevant categories 2. Simplified Violation Groups The current system's 2,000+ individual violations will be consolidated into approximately 100 violation groups. This means: Similar safety issues are grouped together Multiple violations of the same type during one inspection count as a single violation Carriers face more consistent evaluation standards Focus shifts to identifying safety issues rather than counting violations 3. Clear-Cut Severity Weights Gone is the complex 1-10 scale. The new system uses just two weights: Weight of 2: Out-of-Service violations and Driver Disqualifying violations Weight of 1: All other violations What This Means for Your Operation These changes will streamline how you: Monitor safety performance Prepare for inspections Address compliance issues Train your drivers Next Steps Preview your data on the CSA Prioritization Preview website Update your safety programs to align with new categories Train your team on the new violation groups Review your maintenance and compliance procedures Stay Informed The FMCSA continues to refine these changes through industry feedback and data analysis. Future webinars will address additional updates, including: Improved intervention thresholds Additional compliance category changes Updated utilization factors Questions? Contact the CSA InfoLine Team at 877-254-5365 or visit  https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/PrioritizationPreview .

American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI) release of the "Top 10 Trucking Industry Concerns for 2024" serves as a crucial tool for industry stakeholders by providing a clear picture of the key issues impacting tanker truck operators and the broader transportation sector. As the industry continues to evolve, ATRI's findings reflect the pressing challenges operators are facing across various sectors, including regulatory compliance, workforce shortages, and the increasing demand for safety advancements, with these top concerns expected to influence strategic planning and policy decisions in the year ahead. Industry concerns identified within the study are: Economy - Economic uncertainty and market volatility continue to challenge fleet operators' ability to maintain stable operations and plan for future growth. Lawsuit Abuse Reform - The rising tide of nuclear verdicts and predatory litigation practices threatens carriers' financial stability and drives up operational costs across the industry. Driver Shortage - The persistent lack of qualified drivers remains a critical issue, with an estimated shortage of over 80,000 drivers nationwide affecting delivery schedules and capacity. Driver Retention - Companies struggle to keep experienced drivers, facing high turnover rates that impact operational efficiency and training costs. CSA - Compliance, Safety, Accountability scores remain a key concern as carriers work to maintain favorable ratings while navigating complex regulatory requirements. Driver Distraction - The increasing presence of technology and other distractions on roadways poses significant safety risks for tank truck operators and other motorists. Insurance Cost / Availability - Skyrocketing insurance premiums and limited coverage options create substantial financial pressure on carriers, particularly smaller operations. Battery Electric Vehicles - The transition to electric vehicles presents both opportunities and challenges, including infrastructure needs and operational adjustments for tank truck fleets. Diesel Technician Shortage - The growing scarcity of qualified diesel technicians impacts fleet maintenance capabilities and vehicle downtime. Driver Compensation - Finding the right balance between competitive pay packages and operational costs continues to challenge carriers in attracting and retaining quality drivers. The full report is available on ATRI’s website by clicking here . Our team at  Cottingham & Butler understands the trucking landscape.  With decades of industry experience, we offer a complete 360-degree suite of property & casualty, employee benefit, claims administration, safety and risk management services. With an array of comprehensive solutions, our team can go beyond basic insurance, providing insight and coverage second to none. For more information about managing your fleet's risks, contact your Cottingham & Butler representative .

In this high-stake industry, nuclear verdicts can pose an existential threat to even the most established companies. In our recent webinar, our claims management experts examined the factors driving these awards and shared proven strategies to help protect your organization. Through real-world case studies and practical insights, we covered the actionable steps to strengthen your defense position and mitigate the impact of nuclear verdicts. Key Insights Understand the key factors   contributing to nuclear verdicts and identify specific vulnerabilities within their operations Implement concrete risk management strategies  to strengthen their organization's defense position before an incident occurs Execute effective claims management protocols  that can help mitigate the impact of catastrophic events Takeaway Checklist Are You Prepared?​ Proactive Training​ Policies & Procedures buttoned up?​ Hiring Practices​ Safety Culture​ Are the Right Claim Strategies Implemented?​ Rapid Response / Quick Strike​ First Call Settlement Strategy​ Accident Reconstruction​ Preservation / FOIA Requests​ Internet Mining​ Are Your Drivers Prepared?​ Do they know what to do/say at the scene? What evidence to document? How/when to speak to law enforcement? Accident Kits Early Reporting

Discover how strategic insurance restructuring and industry expertise transformed a food processor's inadequate coverage into a comprehensive risk management program. The Situation A St. Louis-area meat processor was operating with dangerous coverage gaps despite paying substantial premiums. Their existing broker provided no claims support, lacked industry expertise, and had no strategy to control rising insurance costs. Key Wins Why They Needed Change The client faced critical vulnerabilities that threatened their business stability: Equipment Risk : $25,000 Spoilage & Ammonia coverage wouldn't cover even a single significant incident Product Safety : $500,000 Recall coverage left them exposed to catastrophic recall events Cost Control : Premiums were rising with no strategy to stabilize them Expert Support : Lack of broker expertise in food industry meant missed opportunities and improper coverage design Claims Management : No claims advocacy or safety program support increased their risk exposure The Cottingham & Butler Approach Strategic Planning & Analysis Implemented a strategic roadmap targeting captive readiness through SMSC engagement, specifically focusing on reducing workers' compensation claim frequency with a clear 2025 captive option goals. Industry Expertise & Program Development Leverage specialized knowledge in food processing and large single location property placements to provide comparative benchmarking data, revealing adequate pricing but critical coverage gaps. Designed a comprehensive program solution through detailed operational assessment and targeted marketing efforts, carefully calibrated to the client's risk tolerance profile. Relationship Building & Lasting Vision Cultivated strong partnerships with both Owner and CFO throughout the sales process, successfully securing the CFO as an internal champion for their initiatives. Established a differentiated approach by focusing on generating long-term competition rather than conventional annual insurance cycles, demonstrating strategic foresight. Ready to maximize your coverage? Contact us today to begin your journey!

From insurance crisis to strategic success: Discover how a multi-location warehousing operation transformed their risk management approach. The Situation A large multi-location warehousing company faced a critical challenge when their property insurance carrier announced non-renewal due to a shift in risk appetite. The client, who had previously worked with a small local broker, recognized they had outgrown their existing insurance relationship and needed more sophisticated solutions for their complex risk profile. Key Wins Why They Needed Change Misconceptions about risk profile impacting coverage options Previous broker relationship based on personal rather than technical capability Property insurance program facing non-renewal Complex risk profile including mixed-use facilities The Cottingham & Butler Approach Conducted a comprehensive risk analysis of mixed-use facilities Identified and addressed market misconceptions Leveraged technical expertise to secure optimal terms Ready to maximize your coverage? Learn how Cottingham & Butler can help your company!

In this webinar, our experts equipped both employees and employers with life-saving protocols and guided them through developing comprehensive workplace crisis management plans. Participants gained invaluable hands-on knowledge about clear, decisive actions that can protect their colleagues and minimize risks when emergencies unfold. Through interactive demonstrations and real-world scenarios, attendees learned how to transform their workplaces into safer environments where every team member knows exactly how to respond when seconds make all the difference. Webinar Takeaways We covered the foundational elements of workplace emergency management, focusing on how to assess potential risks and create comprehensive response plans that keep our team safe and prepared for various scenarios. Each team member now understands their specific role during emergencies, including communication chains, evacuation routes, and basic first aid protocols that can help save lives in critical moments. We discussed the importance of learning from each incident through our new post-emergency review process, which will help us continuously strengthen our emergency preparedness program and keep our workplace safer over time.

What began as a non-medical benefits consolidation unlocked opportunities across the entire benefits program. Through strategic analysis, this transformation delivered $2.5M in total savings spanning pharmacy, stop-loss, and more. Key Results The Challenge A leading media conglomerate with approximately 4,200 employees spread across 40 states partnered with Cottingham & Butler to optimize their complex benefits strategy. Like many growing businesses, they faced an inefficient benefits structure spanning multiple states, carriers, and employee classes, creating administrative burdens and missed cost-saving opportunities. Why They Need Change Multiple acquisitions led to 10+ carriers and 30 employee classes  Disability claims management stretched across 40 states  Union contracts required separate benefits structures  Multiple carriers limited cost-saving opportunities  State-by-state compliance taxed HR resources The Cottingham & Butler Approach Streamlining Non-Medical Benefits While others simply marketed rates we held weekly strategic sessions with HR, Legal, and the CFO to understand every nuance of their benefits structure. This comprehensive discovery led to a consolidated program that delivered both savings and enhanced coverage. Consolidated 10+ carriers into single-carrier solution  Saved over $200,000 on non-medical benefits package Reduced projected renewal increase by 19%, while enhancing benefits Optimizing Risk Management Our deep-dive discovery process identified where manual processes and compliance burdens create unnecessary costs and strain HR resources. For this client, we transformed their benefits administration into a streamlined, outsourced solution that drove both efficiency and compliance. Reduced administrative burden by automating disability claims processing  Implemented multi-state compliance tracking system to minimize risk exposure   Enhancing Union Negotiations Our strategic approach leverages data-modeling tools to find opportunities for benefits alignment and long-term efficiency gains. For this client, we partnered with Human Resources to create a path forward for systematically integrating diverse union and corporate benefits programs. Provided Union-specific cost-impact analysis for HR negotiations Developed phased approach to consolidate 4 separate policies Created framework for future contract negotiations   Unlocking Hidden Savings Our thorough discovery process digs deeper than traditional benefits reviews to uncover missed opportunities and cost recovery potential. For this client, comprehensive analysis of their stop-loss and pharmacy programs revealed substantial savings that previous partners had overlooked. Recovered nearly $1 million in denied stop-loss reimbursements Implemented prescription changes, projecting an additional $1 million in savings Ready to revolutionize your HR processes? Contact us today to begin your journey!

In the trucking industry, driver health directly impacts your bottom line. With drivers facing unique health challenges on the road, investing in their wellbeing isn't just a nice employment perk—it's essential for business success. The Cost of Inaction The numbers speak for themselves: Drivers with chronic conditions cost health plans 2.4 to 5.5 times more Companies spend approximately $13,300 annually per driver with chronic conditions But: HealthCheck360 clients with an incentivized condition management program spend $2,500 per driver with a chronic condition per year less than those without a program. Comprehensive Health Management Our program delivers four key components designed for the trucking lifestyle: 1. 24/7 Health Monitoring Continuous health tracking that works with irregular schedules, keeping your drivers connected to their health goals around the clock. 2. Personal Wellness Coaching Expert guidance tailored to the unique challenges of life on the road, providing practical solutions for better health. 3. Mobile Health App Health management tools accessible anywhere, putting wellness resources directly in your drivers' hands. 4. Condition Management Program Targeted support for chronic health conditions, focusing on high-risk and high-cost health factors to ensure best practices in health management. Real Results for Your Business Companies implementing HealthCheck360 see: Up to 15% reduction in healthcare costs Decreased workers' compensation claims Improved driver retention Better overall fleet performance Take Action Now Ready to reduce healthcare costs and support your drivers' health? Contact us to learn how we can create a customized wellness program for your fleet.

The American Transportation Research Institute released its 14th annual list highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America. The "2025 Top Truck Bottleneck List" identifies and ranks the 100 worst traffic bottlenecks affecting trucks across America's highways, drawn from monitoring over 325 crucial freight locations. The rankings are created by analyzing massive amounts of GPS data from freight trucks, using specialized software to process the information. This GPS tracking data is valuable enough that it's also utilized by the U.S. Department of Transportation to study freight movement patterns and issues. The Top 10 Bottlenecks are: Fort Lee, NJ:  I-95 and SR 4 near the George Washington Bridge Chicago: I-294 at I-290/I-88 Houston: I-45 at I-69/US 59 Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North) Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East) Atlanta: I-75 at I-285 (North) Los Angeles: SR 60 at SR 57 Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75 Houston: I-10 at I-45 Atlanta: I-20 at I-285 (West) Our team at  Cottingham & Butler understands the trucking landscape.  With decades of industry experience, we offer a complete 360-degree suite of property & casualty, employee benefit, claims administration, safety and risk management services. With an array of comprehensive solutions, our team can go beyond basic insurance, providing insight and coverage second to none. For more information about managing your fleet's risks, contact your Cottingham & Butler representative .

In the most recent Motor Carrier Safety 101 Series, our experts provided some best practice measures that a carrier can put in place to reduce their driver’s chance of having an HOS violation and improve their overall safety while out on the road. Key Takeaways Split-sleeper is an exemption that should only be used if both the carrier and driver understand it and should not rely solely on the ELD to prevent a driver from going in violation. An example of proper use of Split Sleeper would be a driver spending 3 hours in an Off-Duty Status and ending their shift with a 7-hour Sleeper Berth status. An example of improper use of Split Sleeper would be a driver spending 1 ½ hours in an Off-Duty Status and ending their shift with an 8 ½ hour Sleeper Berth Status. Adverse Driving exemptions can only be used if the condition could not have been known or reasonably expected before the start of a driver's shift or the start of a trip. It is the responsibility of a driver to ensure that proper trip planning is conducted to account for any optional adverse conditions before beginning a trip. If adverse driving conditions are present and justified a driver must make clear annotations on their logs of the type of condition and the time it lasted. Personal Conveyance is still an area where there is a lot of “grey” area and can lead to a lot of unknowns unless a carrier develops a PC policy that is specific to their operations and drivers. If a carrier allows personal conveyance for their drivers, the carrier should check driver’s logs regularly to ensure that it is being used correctly and not being abused. Click here to view the presentation.

Enhanced Client Service Capabilities Cottingham & Butler, the 4th largest privately-held insurance broker in the United States, announced the opening of a new office location in Des Moines, Iowa.   The Des Moines office significantly strengthens Cottingham & Butler's ability to deliver our full suite of services to clients throughout the Midwest region. This strategic expansion enhances our ability to provide clients with access to our full spectrum of specialized services including Employee Benefits, Property & Casualty, Claims Management and Advocacy, Safety Services, Alternative Risk Programs and more. The Des Moines location joins our network of offices committed to making clients Better Every Day through innovative risk management and benefits solutions delivered by experts who understand the region's unique business landscape. Strengthening Our Team of Insurance Professionals Cottingham & Butler's nationwide team of over 1,300 insurance professionals is now expanding its footprint in Des Moines. While our presence in the area isn't new, the physical office location enables both current team members and new talent to collaborate in a central hub. The new modern workspace, located at 2829 Westown Parkway, Suite 105 in West Des Moines, features design and amenities that reflect C&B's commitment to employee wellbeing and professional development. The location will initially house a handful of current C&B teammates who have recently moved to the Des Moines area, with active recruitment underway to hire additional teammates that will fill out the 55-spot office. Additionally, the office space features an on-site fitness facility and an outdoor event space, with these amenities being free of charge for our teammates. Building on a Legacy of Better Every Day This expansion reinforces our position as an industry leader dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of clients. At Cottingham & Butler, our mission is simple – to partner with our clients to protect their most valuable assets, and to build an exceptional company of passionate insurance professionals. For career opportunities, visit www.CottinghamButler.com/applynow To learn how Cottingham & Butler can help your business, contact us today!

Schuster Company leverages our 10,000-truck captive network to drive down costs and improve safety. Through strategic claims handling and safety partnerships, see how they've transformed standard practices into competitive advantages. Impact at a Glance Ready to Take Control of Your Insurance Program? Cottingham & Butler offers captive solutions designed specifically for quality transportation companies. Our transportation captives provide: Greater control over your insurance program Potential returns of underwriting profit and investment income Stability during insurance market fluctuations Direct access to loss data and improved claims outcomes Industry-specific risk management resources Learn more about our transportation captive programs and how they can benefit your company by visiting  cottinghambutler.com/transportationcaptives  or speak with one of our captive specialists today.