By Dave Millhouser
ABC Companies

"Cant live with 'em, can't live without 'em" is an ancient truism with traction because it captures a facet of many important relationships.

Admit it . . . you feel that way about your auto liability insurance. Government (and common sense) mandates you pay a ton of money for something you never want to use.

Like it or not, your insurance company is a partner, and treating it that way can pay big dividends for both of you.

The process begins with choosing a carrier. With renewal looming, many operators request bids and then simply choose the lowest one. Sounds simple but you hate it when customers do it to you. Pick a partner, not a vendor.

Its a mistake to assume that, since theyre regulated, all bus companies are the same. Why make the same mistake in buying insurance?

Good insurers, particularly those with substantial bus experience, can offer services that cost a bit more at the outset but save you a ton in the long run. Safety audits, training for safety personnel, resources on topics like sleep deprivation, discounts for driver training, and aids like event recording devices and GPS all add value.

You may pay more initially but save money down the road. Fewer reportable accidents mean lower premiums.

There also are the intangibles like fewer nicks and dings improving the curb appeal of your coaches. Or, your drivers taking more pride, and customers seeing the difference.

You may not be able to control the severity of an accident, but you can control frequency.

If, sadly, you do have the "big one," a good insurance partner will be more helpful and far more likely to stick with you in the future.

Several of my favorite operators look at safety as an investment. Theyre willing to spend on training, safety devices and complying with the extra effort a good insurance company demands. Reduced premiums, fewer minor accidents that they must eat, improved curb appeal, and better drivers reduces their cost and gives them a real boost in their market.

These companies do a number of things to reduce accidents, and improve their bottom line. Some may be useful to you.

Consider investing in "event recorders"; there are several available.

Make sure your drivers understand the implications of fatigue. Most are aware of the dangers of driving around dawn, but mid afternoon can be nearly as bad. Take advantage of any available education on sleep deprivation. When possible, massage your schedule so drivers dont have to drive through dawn. Its tough, but resist the customer whose schedule pushes the hours of service (or common sense). No driver is good when theyre tired.

Fix dings as soon as your schedule permits. Youre going to fix them anyway, so do it now. Dings reproduce themselves like rabbits, and drivers take better care of unblemished coaches.

When a driver reports a safety-related defect (no matter how minor), fixing it quickly demonstrates your commitment and eliminates excuses.

Have safety meetings and use the opportunity to train drivers, recognize the good ones, and discuss specific problem areas. Make sure your drivers understand that traffic accidents arent the only concern. Boarding passengers, wheel-chair-lift operation, and sudden maneuvers all create risks that can affect your company, and their jobs.

If your insurer wants to look at your operation, embrace the opportunity to learn from them. They may find weaknesses, but you both benefit from catching them early.

Finally, resist the temptation to mess with your address. Hopefully, this is preaching to the choir, but some companies have set up sham addresses in locales where insurance rates are low. In real life, this means you dont have insurance because your carrier can allege fraud. Some claims have been refused when an accident made the coach operators real mode of operation visible.

If you pick the right insurer, they really are your partner. Working together saves you both a substantial amount of money. But the real benefit is making your company more competitive.

Dave Millhouse is an account representative for ABC Companies. Contact him at: dmillhouser@abc-companies.com.