In 1971 J. Standard Baker Quoted " Drivers Towing Trailers  Are Four (4) Times As Unsafe As Those In Cars Alone! 

Ri$k Happens: Trailer turnover

Why does this continue to happen? People Who Tow Are 6 Times More Likely To Have An Accident And Kill Others.

Who is going to pay for the repairs of his pick up and rental trailer?

The Stupid Insurance Company who insured his pick up and that is why our insurance rates are going up.

We need a new rate class...If you have a hitch on your vehicle you are rated in a different rate class and the losses are spread over all people who tow and have a hitch because our data proves that if you have a hitch you are causing more accidents.

If we never have a hitch our rates should be lower because we are less risky.

February 2018 - Mary Ann Gormly, CERP - Loss Analyst, ARA Insurance

 
Mary Ann Gormly, CERP

A customer rented a trailer from the local rental store. The customer was provided instruction on how to properly drive while pulling a trailer, and how to load and unload the equipment when his job was complete and he was ready to return the trailer. He had equipment of his own he was moving from one location to another and the store accommodated his request to load and unload one of their pieces of equipment that was similar to what he was moving so he knew how to complete the process correctly.

The driver left the store towing the empty trailer. He proceeded down the hill towards his property. He rounded a corner and saw a police officer with his radar gun pointed in his direction. The customer slammed on his brakes, lost control of his truck and rolled both the trailer and his pickup.

This situation seems to be entirely the customer’s fault. If necessary, the rental store employees will have proof they provided instruction to the customer and he signed a document stating that fact. Remind your employees to provide the proper instruction, have your customers sign a document stating they received instruction and keep the paperwork in case you need to provide proof in the future.

This item, provided by ARA Insurance, Kansas City, Mo., contains real-life insurance claims involving rental stores and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.