Now situated in Olive Branch, Mississippi, with a workforce exceeding 200 and a fleet of over 70 vehicles on the road every day, Michael Hatcher & Associates is deeply invested in maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.

91ºÚÁÏÍø’s partnership and safety journey with agency, , started with Michael Hatcher & Associates in 2010. Initially, the service delivery was focused on improving the overall safety culture and safety procedures for their employees. After making great strides in reducing the frequency and severity of worker’s compensation claims, the next step switched to improving key leading indicators in their fleet safety program.

In 2020, a strategic initiative was launched in collaboration with Josh Wilder, Safety Manager at Michael Hatcher & Associates. This initiative aimed to fortify driver selection procedures and leverage cutting-edge fleet technology solutions. Measures included the implementation of annual Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) reviews and the integration of advanced telematics controls.

Wilder expressed the impact of the partnership:

Working with the 91ºÚÁÏÍø and Insight team has been great. By implementing both MVR & telematics, we have been able to get in front of potential driver issues. Anytime I need help, they are quick to respond and provide feedback too. Our team has bought into the process, and we are reaping the benefits.

A critical aspect of this improvement strategy was the introduction of a third-party vendor, iiX, recommended by 91ºÚÁÏÍø. This partnership allowed for comprehensive MVR checks on all company drivers, benefiting from preferred pricing arrangements with iiX. In 2021, Michael Hatcher & Associates fully institutionalized an annual MVR check for all company drivers, adhering to meticulously defined criteria to ensure the safest drivers were operating company vehicles. 

Building on this foundation, 91ºÚÁÏÍø Risk Management teams collaborated with Michael Hatcher & Associates to enhance the utilization of existing telematics systems. This involved monitoring driver speed, aggressive driving behaviors (such as hard braking, turning, and acceleration), and seatbelt usage. The resulting data facilitated the creation of weekly driver reports by Wilder, enabling company managers to instill accountability and find opportunities to address at-risk behaviors by immediately coaching the driver.

Pat Siano, agency producer and Insight Risk Management Vice President, highlighted the longstanding commitment to safety:

Michael Hatcher & Associates has been a long-time 91ºÚÁÏÍø policyholder, and their commitment to safety is second to none. They are proactive in their relationship with their 91ºÚÁÏÍø Risk Management Consultant, Jeremy Biggs, whether it is including him in safety discussions or putting in place any recommendations that he makes to help them improve their safety culture.

The outcomes of these strategic enhancements are more than noteworthy. Michael Hatcher & Associates has achieved an average annual reduction of 95% in the cost of auto claims, coupled with an 87% reduction in the frequency of auto claims. This success underscores their unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, positioning them as a benchmark in the industry.

If you are interested in implementing an MVR program or utilizing telematics to improve your company’s overall fleet risk, please contact your 91ºÚÁÏÍø Risk Management consultant. If you are interested in coverage and our risk management services, find an agency here and one of our partners will assist you.

If your business owns a fleet of vehicles or has employees who drive their own vehicles for work, you should be concerned. Distracted driving is dangerous. According to a by the University of Utah, using a cell phone in the car — even hands-free — delays a driver’s reaction time as much as being legally drunk. Researchers also found that people who send text messages while driving are six times more likely to crash.

NHTSA estimates that every day some 660,000 drivers are on their cell phones, creating an enormous potential for deaths and injuries on our roads. The threat to commercial vehicle safety is even greater since trucks and tractor-trailers are harder to stop and have limited maneuverability compared to cars and light trucks.

What can you do?

You can start by establishing a safety program that minimizes driving distractions. Your goal should be to keep employees safe while on the road, protect your company’s human and financial resources, and guard against potential liability in the event of an accident. Here are some items to consider:

• Create a culture of safety. The commitment to driver safety begins at the top. Senior management must provide the leadership, policies and resources to create a culture of safety in your workplace. Actively encouraging employee awareness and participation at all levels will also help the effort to succeed.
• Develop a distracted driver agreement. Have your employees sign a written agreement acknowledging awareness of your driver safety policy and your expectations regarding driver performance and vehicle use. A typical agreement would make clear that mobile devices are not to be used when the vehicle is in motion.

• Train your employees to drive defensively. Drivers who practice basic defensive skills such as continuously evaluating driving conditions, scanning ahead and creating a safe following distance have fewer accidents. That means fewer lives lost, less time off for injury and less cost to the company.

• Establish a reward or incentive program. Help improve safety by rewarding good driver behavior and incorporating it into your employee performance reviews.

• Discipline bad drivers. Develop a policy for dealing with drivers who have moving violations or are involved in preventable accidents. Make sure you consistently take action as specified in your policy and that your employees understand the consequences of violating their driving agreement.

• Take advantage of technology. Cab cameras, telematics and apps that disable devices when a vehicle is moving are ways you can monitor employee driving, reduce accidents and increase vehicle efficiency. For example, 91ºÚÁÏÍø’s telematics pilot program has lowered accidents for some policyholders by as much as 50%.

Reducing the risk of distracted driving can save lives and money. It all starts with understanding the danger that it poses to your employees and business. Take steps to educate yourself and your company. Create a culture of safety that minimizes distractions and rewards good driving behavior.