Inspection Selection System
Have your drivers been getting pulled over for inspections, or waived into weigh stations more frequently over the past 12 months? It’s possible that this uptick of inspections is merely a coincidence, or the adjustment to a new route. The most likely culprit is your Inspection Selection Summary (ISS). This is a scoring system with 3 different tiers that has a direct effect on the amount of times you will get pulled for a roadside inspection. Scoring ranges from 1-100 with the following tiers: 1 – 49 Pass (Green), 50 – 74 Optional (Yellow), and 75 – 100 Inspect (Red). Not only can these scores have negative effects on your insurance, but they can also put you at risk for larger verdicts if claims ever go to court. Poor scores can be used to show your company as negligent regarding safety.
Pass
The best tier for insurance and operational purposes. This is commonly referred to as the Green Zone by insurance underwriters and has a numerical score of 1 – 49. For the most part, the number itself is not of great importance because most underwriters view carriers in the Green Zone as the more preferred of all motor carriers. Motor Carriers with a “Pass” ISS score are the least likely targets to be pulled for an inspection. Not only does having a passing ISS score usually equate to lower insurance rates, but it will also mean an increase in profits.
Optional Inspect
Referred to as the Yellow Zone an Optional Inspect score leaves the decision of whether or not to pull you for an inspection to the discretion of the officer. The numerical value of an Optional Inspect score ranges from 50 – 74. Most insurance markets will still consider you for their programs while in the Yellow, but you’ll need to explain why your score is in this range, and also provide proof of your safety program, and any corrective action plans. Some preferred markets may be willing to offer you terms, but they have started declining risks once they’re in this tier.
Inspect
With a score of 75 – 100 you will find yourself in the Red Zone, and will almost always be pulled for an inspection. 90% of insurance companies will automatically decline your submission once their system returns a Red Inspect score attached to your DOT number. Not only will the increased cost of insurance eat into your profits, but so will the constant roadside inspections. It’s estimated that every hour your truck is placed Out of Service you can lost up to $200 in revenue per hour, not including any fines.
Your ISS Score
One of the biggest troubles for Motor Carriers regarding their ISS score, is that it can be very difficult to understand as well as improve without proper guidance. When a carrier’s truck is placed Out of Service it’s documented in multiple locations, and you are going to know immediately that remedial training may be necessary. It can be trickier to keep track of your ISS score because it includes all violations, even those that don’t place you OOS. You can find your ISS score by logging into your portal, but how often can you remember to do that on a weekly basis? Even checking on your score won’t give you enough information on how to improve your score, and that’s where Fleet Risk Solutions can help. We believe in complete transparency so that our clients are able to stay ahead of the safety issues plaguing over 50% of the trucking industry right now.
About the Author
Logan utilizes a holistic approach to assist trucking companies with growth, and survival in one of the most volatile times in our history. A strong risk management program is critical for every business, but trucking companies are extremely susceptible to breaks in the risk management process. Maintenance violations, driver violations, breakdowns, driver turnover, and the list goes on, all have a domino effect on each other, and the cost of operating a trucking company.