Advertorial: Norwich Union, in association with Cybit

Fleet risk management: comprehensive solutions from Norwich Union and Cybit

AS if fleet managers didn’t have enough to worry about already...

As well as managing the vehicles, duty of care means that you’re charged with managing the safety of your drivers. With the recently drafted Corporate Manslaughter Bill, which will tighten regulation around companies’ responsibilities to employees and the public, this could become an even more important issue for you. Risk management is becoming central to your job.

Fortunately, help is at hand. While the responsibility for setting up a safety strategy is still yours, Norwich Union has recognised the importance of risk management and has developed solutions with leading experts in the field, such as Cybit and RAC. Working in partnership, we can help you to promote continuous improvement in safety. Best of all, improved safety can help to reduce your operational and insurance fleet costs, year after year.

Norwich Union’s Fleet Risk Management Strategy

We help our customers by working together to implement a structured risk management strategy that fits their individual circumstances, through our dedicated Fleet Risk Management team at Norwich Union Risk Services. The following are examples of key points that pull the strategy together:

1. Driver checking and vetting
Check driver paperwork and references – a recent survey highlighted that 80% of companies have ineffective licence checking procedures! This is one of the easiest areas in which to introduce tighter controls, but often overlooked. Introduce reference checks from previous companies to ensure that the information is valid.

2. Driver assessments
Both paper-based and practical testing are important. Utilise online or external driver assessment where possible to better understand where training requirements exist.

3. Induction procedures
Introduce specific company policies and procedures to cover all areas of security and incident management, to ensure that all drivers are fully aware of how to deal with all circumstances.

4. Drivers’ handbook
Develop a company drivers’ handbook (with acceptance signature) that reinforces company policies and procedures. Minimum requirements should include the company’s risk policy, vehicle use and restrictions.

5. Driver training
Norwich Union works with RAC to deliver structured driver training programmes that will improve driving risks – important for the company, and seen as beneficial by drivers.

6. Managing accidents
Establish clear procedures within the driver handbook and provide an accident reporting kit. To help understand and learn, conduct post accident interviews after all incidents.

7. Managing your drivers and vehicles
Create an ongoing driver risk awareness programme with regular risk training updates, and check vehicle condition and usage continuously – both of these are integral parts of your duty of care. Cybit Telematics is an option that gives you the ability to control activity. Knowledge of usage will give you a better understanding of potential areas of risk, and where further driver training may be required.

Norwich Union specialist motor fleet cover

Norwich Union specialist motor fleet cover is designed for fleets from a few vehicles to an unlimited number. For small fleets from 3 to 12 vehicles, Minifleet offers simplified administration in recognition of the fact that the manager of a small fleet has many other tasks within the company. Fleetwise provides an insurance solution for larger fleets of cars and commercial vehicles. Best of all, both covers recognise the advantages of a robust safety policy, by offering generous discounts in return for reduced fleet claims. Vehicles fitted with Cybit’s telematics technology can profit from a fixed insurance premium and premium rebate (see Fleet Telematics for further details).

Special Services for Policyholders: Norwich Union’s risk management offering

For businesses that hold Fleetwise or Minifleet policies, Norwich Union offers various solutions to help you with your fleet risk management.

Norwich Union Risk Services are available to answer your questions on risk, including new legislation and Health and Safety issues, helping you to implement an overall risk management policy tailored to your fleet.

Roadsense, an online risk management toolkit, includes a self-assessment questionnaire, information and advice on driver, vehicle and journey management, and downloadable forms and templates that you can apply within your own organisation.

Through this website Norwich Union offers a further range of services. These include: