Property Loss Exposures Trucking Fleets Can’t Afford to Ignore

When people think about “trucking risk,” they often jump straight to liability and crashes. But for growing fleets, property exposures can be just as costly—and sometimes more disruptive.

Whether you own a small terminal, lease a yard, or keep inventory and tools in a shop, a single fire, theft, or storm can ripple through your schedule, your cashflow, and your reputation. A clear property view lets you prioritize prevention and insure to value so you can recover quickly when the unexpected hits.

terminals, shops, and yards: fire, storm and theft

Start by understanding how inspections are structured. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) sets the North American Standard Inspection Program; you can review all inspection levels and what qualifies for a CVSA decal on CVSA’s site, including a high-level description of the out-of-service (OOS) Criteria and an overview of inspection levels. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Analysis and Information (A&I) portal also breaks down national activity by level so you can see where enforcement time is spent.

Next, connect inspections to your compliance, safety, and accountability (CSA) picture. FMCSA explains the program at the official CSA portal and provides a concise overview of how violations affect the seven BASICs in this CSA factsheet. Print the BASICs visor card for your drivers and emphasize that clean inspections help the fleet’s business, not just compliance.

tighten pre-trips and paperwork to match out-of-service triggers

Terminals and shops face the classic COPE factors—construction, occupancy, protection, and exposure. Metal buildings with stored flammables (aerosols, lubricants, rags) and space heaters elevate fire potential, and poor housekeeping amplifies it.

To limit your risk, start with fundamentals like tidy chemical storage, Underwriters’ Laboratories-listed (UL) cabinets, and clear “hot-work” controls. Align practices with high-level guidance from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) on storage, ignition sources, and handling impairment; and document your procedures. If you rely on portable extinguishers and monitored alarms, test and tag on schedule. If you have sprinklers, track impairments and valves as many large losses stem from systems that were shut off.

Wind and hail drive a surprising share of loss in the Midwest and Plains. Proactively maintain roofs and exterior panels, trim trees,and inventory loose outdoor items (i.e., totes, pallets, signage) that can become projectiles. For seasonal preparation and go-bags, tap Ready.gov’s business continuity guidance, which includes a practical checklist to reduce storm downtime.

Finally, harden yards with lighting, cameras and controlled access. Simple changes like parking loaded trailers nose to fence and staging high-value cargo away from perimeter lines raise the bar for opportunistic theft.

mobile assets and cargo: collisions, theft, spoilage

Your tractors, trailers, and cargo are mobile property. Collisions are the obvious threat, but theft and “fraud by instruction” (bogus pickup calls) are rising risks. Train drivers to verify any route or consignee change using numbers on the rate confirmation—not a call-in number provided by a stranger. For situational awareness, the FBI’s cargo-theft brief outlines common tactics and hot spots.

Layer low-cost controls including seal logs, high-security hasps, geofences with movement alerts, and “no-info at the dock/truck stop” policies. Temperature-controlled freight adds a spoilage vector. A minor reefer fault can cascade into a large property claim if product temperature isn’t documented. Standardize pre-cool, loading, and pulp-temp checks; save download data after any temperature exception; and consider where refrigeration breakdown coverage or endorsements fit in your program.

business interruption and records: the hidden exposure

Your tractors, trailers, and cargo are mobile property. Collisions are the obvious threat, but theft and “fraud by instruction” (bogus pickup calls) are rising risks. Train drivers to verify any route or consignee change using numbers on the rate confirmation—not a call-in number provided by a stranger. For situational awareness, the FBI’s cargo-theft brief outlines common tactics and hot spots.

the name you can trust

At Joe Morten & Son, Inc., we work with trucking operators to protect their bottom lines. If you’re in the market for an agency that puts you first, we’re here to help.