Many educational institutions outsource some or all of their transportation services to private companies or have considered doing so.
There are several reasons why outsourcing this service might make sense for a college, university, or K-12 public or independent school, including the potential cost and time savings, the expectation that service will be more reliable, and the opportunity to take advantage of the latest in-vehicle safety technology (without having to make a substantial investment in it).
In addition, responsibilities such as employee drug and alcohol testing, background checks and training, fleet maintenance, and problem-solving for issues such as employee absenteeism are risks that are typically transferred to the hired vendor, ultimately minimizing a school's liability exposure.
Before hiring a transportation partner, though, it is critically important to thoroughly vet them and make sure they are as committed as your school is to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the students in your care.
One of the largest and most worrisome exposures your educational institution faces daily is the possibility of a crash involving an owned, leased, or hired auto transporting students or employees. To help reduce this risk, you want to make sure that any transportation services you employ follow these three effective mitigation strategies:
If the drivers and vehicles used in your school's transportation services achieve the highest standards for a comfortable, dependable, efficient, and, most importantly, safe ride for all passengers, it will be a big step toward minimizing the chances of an incident.
Use the following questions to help better evaluate the professionalism and competence of a potential transportation partner, one you're currently working with, or even your school's in-house transport services.
Another essential question to ask any vendor before contracting with them is, "Can I get a copy of your certificate of insurance (COI)?" AssuredPartners has more specific guidelines for requesting evidence of insurance and suggests that your educational institution be listed as an Additional Insured, having the vendor's COI provide initial proof of insurance. This evidence typically includes the insurer and insured's name, coverage type, policy numbers, effective dates, endorsements, and limits. Reviewing these details with your insurance professional and discussing how this coverage might affect your school's liability if a crash occurs is critical. Although a vendor's coverage should help reduce your potential financial obligations, it is not likely to entirely eliminate your risk.
Our team knows you work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of those whose care has been entrusted to you. So, of course, you want to work with partners committed to doing the same. At AssuredPartners, we have risk management specialists whose primary mission is to work collaboratively with clients to help create an environment of safety for their people. This includes being an active participant in helping our clients assess vendors.
If you're seeking the services of a private transportation company, we can assist you in evaluating the qualifications of potential vendors, from the quality of their fleet safety programs and vehicle operation procedures to the effectiveness of their driver authorization processes and training curriculums. In addition, we can examine vendor contracts and carefully review certificates of insurance to help uncover any gaps that may need to be addressed by your educational institution's insurance solutions.
We can also offer valuable support and guidance on how to implement better risk management practices if you're keeping your transportation services in-house. This may include assessing your strategy for recruiting and hiring drivers and revealing any risky practices; identifying ways you could improve your vehicle repair, maintenance, and inspection process; or examining your claims history and offering solutions on how to limit losses in the future.
Please contact us today to better understand and minimize potential threats to your college, university, or K-12 school.
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