5 COVID Trends Influencing Fleet Services in 2022
Some of COVID’s effects on trucking are obvious, such as quarantining, masking, and social distancing. However, emerging trends highlight the unanticipated changes affecting how fleets operate. The following are several ways COVID continues to alter fleet services:
- Vehicle shortages. Supply chain shortages are making it difficult for fleets to replace vehicles. Microchip shortages are at the heart of the problem, as many commercial vehicles rely on them for electronic safety features and software.
- Costly repairs. Fleets are keeping vehicles in operation for longer as a direct result of the vehicle shortage. They have to keep their existing vehicles on the road, and fleet managers are approving expensive repairs they wouldn’t have before the pandemic.
- Oscillating mileage. The trucking industry experienced dramatic dips and surges in mileage following the pandemic. Business trips to connect with prospective clients became zoom calls, whereas delivery driver miles skyrocketed. Routine maintenance standards became moot as company cars languished and delivery vehicles racked up miles at a cyclic rate. For example, waiting until the 3000-mile mark for an oil change isn’t appropriate for infrequently used vehicles.
- Overtaxed insurance adjusters. Many insurance adjusters began working from home to reduce their exposure and the spread of COVID. Claims that used to require multiple employees to process are now falling to a single adjuster working remotely. With more work and less oversight for adjusters, many fleets struggle to close their claims in a timely manner.
- Take-Home privileges. Pre-COVID, many drivers shared commercial vehicles. Many fleets moved away from pooled trucks to reduce the spread of contagion and began allowing employees to take work vehicles home. As a result, fleets are seeing an uptick in family use of company vehicles.
These emerging trends are shifting the risk profile for trucking companies. Prolonged vehicle life cycles can result in costly repairs, and trucking companies have to consider the additional liability of family members using company vehicles. Contact Interstate Motor Carriers to learn more about managing your trucking company’s risks.