Better Risk Data, Better Decisions, Better Risk Profile

Once upon a time a fleet never knew why its claims record was poor.  Indeed, some fleets just put it down to bad luck or simply the inevitable downside to being a successful company.

Then, one day, somebody in HR said, ‘shouldn’t we look a bit closer at why these accidents occur and shouldn’t we check out how legal and competent our drivers actually are?’

Somebody else in Health and Safety then went on to say, ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could monitor more closely what these drivers are really doing out there on the road?  Then we might be able to help them to avoid putting themselves at risk’.

The fleet manager then said, ‘so who exactly is going to analyse all the information we’re about to gather on all these things and then decide what to do about it?’

‘Well’, said the guys from HR and Health and Safety, ‘You are’.

This analogy is not far from the truth and of course, the entry point to any fleet is still via the fleet manager role even though HR and Health and Safety departments have an input.

 If we skip forward in time to the current day, the fleet manager is confronted by accident data from one supplier, licence check data from another, telematics data from another and a whole myriad of internal influences on how his fleet should be run.

Risk data arrives in different formats, at different times from different sources, which means the first job of consolidating it represents an ongoing technological challenge. The second job of analysing what the data tells the fleet represents a further time-consuming job for the fleet manager.

The third task of deciding what to do with the data requires judgement about the severity of the non-compliant data.  It also requires the setting of thresholds of acceptable risk and the knowledge of the available tools to remedy the risks that have exceeded those thresholds.

The fourth task is to put the remedies in place, which may need authority to invest from the Board.  It also needs somebody to co-ordinate the delivery of the remedy with the driver.

The fifth task is to measure the effectiveness of the chosen remedies to see whether the overall risk profile of the fleet has been improved.  This is not just a case of looking at the claims experience. It requires work with drivers to assess whether driving safety culture has changed within the fleet.

At the end of the day, with all the other responsibilities being carried by the fleet manager, it’s a fair bet to say these five tasks will, at best, be sporadic, which means something will be missed and that something may represent a major influencer of overall risk.  So, for this reason, fleets usually need external help from a risk management provider who specialises in consolidation and analysis of data.

RVM assists in this space and can be contacted on the number below if you’d like details of how we help our clients with these five risk-based tasks.

0113 224 8800

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What's the point of Telematics if you don't use it?

The majority of fleets now use one of the seemingly numerous telematics solutions available in the UK.  These systems use a combination of technologies to monitor other road users, location, speed, driving behaviour, fuel usage, idling time and several other important aspects of driver and vehicle performance. 

Apart from the most obvious advantages these systems offer such as tracking and speeding, there are a number of lesser-known applications for the technology that would create even more savings and safety if the available data stream from ‘black-box technology’ were only managed properly. 

Notwithstanding these other benefits, it is incredible how many fleets we encounter who go to the effort of identifying a need for telematics, trawling the market for a suitable system, obtaining Board approval for the investment, implementing the fitting of units over many weeks and then, unbelievably, failing to act on alerts issued by the system and never even looking at the provided online Portal. 

This raises a number of important questions:

• Are some telematics systems being bought simply to tick a few legal compliance boxes
• Do fleets fail to allocate the job of managing the telematics data feed to somebody knowledgeable and with time available
• Does the allocated person with responsibility for managing the data have no authority to act upon it?
• Has the accumulated data proved to be difficult to access or indeed to be unreliable?

As telematics providers don’t offer the management service, it seems the main responsibility for interpreting and acting upon data produced by black-box technologies lies with the end-user fleets unless the fleet chooses to outsource that responsibility to a fleet risk management company that includes such a service within its range of products. 

The job of work to manage the data stream can vary hugely according to the quality of the output offered by the various telematics systems and therefore a fleet should consider this aspect of the system they choose.  In fact it may pay dividends to involve the risk management provider in the process of procuring the best system. 

So what’s at stake here? In a nutshell, those fleets that fail to use their telematics data stream properly may lose the opportunity to reduce claim frequency, may fail to evidence liability positions in loss recovery and third party claim situations, may lose the chance to reduce expensive insurance premiums, may threaten brand reputation and may also miss the chance to improve the safety and productivity of their drivers. 

RVM Assist is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire and has been successfully analysing telematics data stream for its fleet clients for the last 5 years.  It is one of the UK’s longest standing full service providers of consolidated fleet risk and accident management services. For more information, visit www.rvmassist.co.uk or call us on 01132248800.

At RVM our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate. The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs

How to avoid a disjointed Fleet Risk program?

You may also ask; Why is a joined up risk program so important? 

In the same breath you may even ask; What business risks am I running if my risk program is in fact, disjointed?

So, the simple answer is to say that a joined-up risk program gives you the best chance to protect your drivers, your brand and the public.  Additionally, your business will operate more effectively and fleet-associated costs (such a fuel and fleet insurance premiums) will be reduced. 

However, if you have risk data stored in separate clusters, in different departments, in different formats, then poor decision-making can follow, which will undoubtedly scupper any chance of capitalising on these important benefits. 

Whilst poor decision-making can be caused by a lack of risk management expertise, bad timing and inaccuracies, many bad decisions (about who constitutes the risk, why and what to do about it) very often stem from a lack of joined-up thinking between different departments such as HR, Transport and Health and Safety.

For example, in practical terms, it would be unwise to invest in driver training based purely on licence check results.  Training may be a Health & Safety issue whereas HR tends to look after licence checking.

Similarly, if you don’t use Telematics you may wish to do Online Driver Assessments before choosing individual drivers for remedial action. These two functions may also be governed by two separate departments.

In a similar vein, why don’t more fleets look at claim causation factors more closely before spending hundreds of pounds on training drivers and how many fleets actually ask drivers about why they think the incident occurred before spending money on training?  Same issue again.

Generally speaking and from our research, it seems that the Fleet department still points the way when it comes to how much and what kind of risk initiatives a fleet should invest in. 

However, both HR and Health & Safety have a major input and influence as driver performance is being monitored.  In truth, whichever department takes the lead role has the job of avoiding this costly and disjointed approach.

Of course, as a combined claims and risk reduction specialist, RVM Assist can supply and manage all risk-related functions whilst being accountable to all departments so avoiding the chance of waste time, effort or funds that could occur through a disjointed approach to fleet risk management.

Why not take a closer look at what we’re up to?

Call Diana or Angela on 0113 224 8800 or email enquiries@rvmassist.co.uk

At RVM our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs

The love of reducing fleet risk - is in the eye of the beholder

As in life generally, the level of attraction you feel towards a good looking fleet risk profile may depend on your mood, whether you’re a newcomer to the art of risk reduction and how much pain you think will be involved in keeping that profile looking at its best!   

Of course, we’ve all dabbled with risk, maybe had some success and yet, somehow, it’s never really worked out as perfectly as we were originally promised!  In fact, what looks so very fabulous from the outside so often disappoints once the business partnership matures. (……we’re still talking about fleet risk by the way!) 

So success is measured by whether the fleet perceives it is getting what it wants, but if that doesn’t happen, is it the supplier or the fleet who is responsible?  Is the shortfall in expectations due to a failure in inter-departmental co-operation caused by the broad nature of the activities that a fleet risk program should encompass? 

Is it because there’s so much accumulated driver risk data that neither internal departments nor external suppliers can offer the vigilance required to keep on top of the discovered unacceptable driving risks and take timely and appropriate action? 

Is it because the expectations of the fleet are mismatched with the service expectations of the risk supplier so in reality the fleet thought the supplier would do certain things, which the supplier didn’t think was within their remit? 

Or is it simply because, the chosen supplier (or suppliers) is not structured in such a way as to properly deliver all aspects of the program due to inadequate knowledge, systems or a desire to support the needs of the fleet in a proactive manner? 

In truth, managing fleet risk is still an evolving aspect of fleet management and for some suppliers (such as insurance brokers and fleet leasing companies) it is just a by-product of their core business. For other suppliers who specialise in one element of risk, the demands upon them of supplying a ‘full’ spectrum risk program is just too big. 

Fleets are definitely doing more than ‘flirting’ with risk reduction.  Many are looking for suitable long-term partners but, as also in life, it can be two-steps-forward-one-step-back process.  Relationships with risk suppliers can be characterised by broken promises, disagreements and meetings with alternative providers, which can of course result in a parting of the waves.  

By contrast to all this, RVM Assist was designed from the outset with the kinds of credentials that any self-respecting fleet would find irresistible!  We think that to be attractive you need to stand out from the crowd by displaying the kind of raw materials that could last a lifetime such as integrity, originality, experience and of course, mutual respect.   

So, as a specialist fleet risk supplier, the prospect of walking hand-in-hand with our customers whilst developing goals and aspirations, represents the start of a dream relationship that in our view holds the best chance of being long-term and mutually fulfilling! 

Why not contact us now or give us a call on 01132248800 for a date!


At RVM our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs

Vehicle checks can’t be done from a remote location!!

In order to comply with UK legislation, employers need fleet drivers to adopt and apply their vehicle safety policies when driving on business.

In practice this means sticking to some straightforward rules whether driving a company vehicle or indeed a private vehicle being driven for business purposes.

These rules will include (amongst other things) routine safety checks, which the employer reasonably expects the driver to carry out.  After all, in the eyes of the police, such checks will be the responsibility of the driver, as opposed to the fleet operator.

So now we have a potential dilemma because although drivers are responsible (and may receive points and a fine), the impact of poor vehicle checking may impact the fleet in terms of increased risk of claims, downtime and cost.

So how could a fleet make sure these simple checks actually happen?   Well, here at RVM Assist we have decided to help by creating a checklist using the name of our business as a mnemonic device!  

·         Remember

·         Vehicle

·         Maintenance:

·         ACCIDENT Damage (dints, scratches, etc.)

·         SERVICING (fluid levels, scheduled checks)

·         SCREEN CHECKS (damage, wiper performance)

·         INDICATORS & OTHER LIGHTS (working, clean)

·         SEATBELTS (webbing, buckles, retractor, adjustors, markings)

·         TYRES (wear, damage, pressure, spare)

We appreciate that although these checks need to take place, many drivers cannot find time to complete them according to the detail and accuracy laid down in the safety manual.

So how do we create more time for fleet safety?

Well, at RVM we believe one of the problems is that Fleet managers are too busy dealing with matters that could be offloaded to outsourced providers, which results in them not having time to do those things that can only be done at a local level.

In other words, we can’t do certain functions from a remote location so part of our job is to take on work from fleets that can be done away from the coalface leaving local staff to focus on those tasks that can only be done locally.

This may seem to be a glimpse of the blindingly obvious but having the confidence to outsource or delegate requires the confidence to admit that you need help and not many people who are under pressure remember to use a white surrender flag when it’s appropriate because they think it’s a sign of weakness.  We don’t think that way at RVM Assist – you see……it’s in our name!

Reduce Fleet Risk to Make Savings

The fleet department understands what it is and why it’s needed.  The Directors aren’t sure if it’ll work, why it’s necessary or what it’ll save for the business”

If I had a pound for every time I hear this!

The truth is that a fleet risk proposal does come across as all ‘jam tomorrow’, or ‘certain cost: uncertain benefit’.

There are, however, a few truths that need airing:

1.       Duty of Care fleet compliance is a legal responsibility

2.       Increased driving safety will result in fewer road traffic accidents

3.       Claim frequency is the key factor controlling Fleet insurance premiums

4.       Driver training does actually work

The reasons why Directors postpone or reject the decision to invest in fleet risk management vary but normally fall into the following categories:

1.       It’s not in this year’s budget

2.       It should be done internally

3.       There are no guarantees of success

4.       A quick fix would be best

5.       We’ve had no problem so far

In reality, most fleets are trying to do something, which they hope covers the compliance angle but it can’t hope to tackle the claim frequency/insurance cost angle because:

1.       It has to be sporadic because it’s mixed in with other fleet initiatives

2.       It is uncoordinated because it’s usually covered by more than one department

3.       It is haphazard because there’s no consistency of approach to high risks

4.       It is ineffective in reducing fleet risk due to the problems of 1, 2 and 3

At RVM we have tried to tackle the concerns of Directors by amalgamating the risk program into one cohesive structure and by articulating what success looks like.  We are accountable for all our actions through our online Portal and regular review meetings and we construct a combination of services to profile and train a driver that is particular to each client’s circumstances.

It’s quick and easy to get a quote so why not call us to arrange a meeting.  RVM is on 

0113 224 8800 or  contact us here or e-mail us on risk@rvmassist.co.uk

At RVM Assist Ltd our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs.

“Fleet risk strategy …… how to see the wood for the trees”

"So how am I supposed to pull all this fleet risk data together and come to some sensible conclusions when I have all these other fleet responsibilities to deal with?"

The feedback we get from fleets is sometimes relating to ‘why invest in Risk management’, but more usually it’s about lack of resources – not just time resources but also expertise in deciding what’s the best course of action.

Of course, it’s easy to outsource claims, licence checking, telematics, driver training and online assessments BUT fleets don’t always realise they are creating a monster in so doing.

The reasons are as follows:

·         Risk data starts pouring in via portals, emails and hard copy reports

·         The data comes in at different times of the year and in different formats

·         It’s not always clear what the data is trying to say so analysing it is time-consuming

·         How to decide what represents a high risk and what should be done about it, is a problem

·         Having dealt with high risk drivers, how do you make sure the action taken, has worked?

Managers with fleet responsibilities usually have other functions to perform so it is not easy to find time to bring all of these Fleet Risk elements together in a way that maximises their effectiveness.

Indeed, very often the three departments of Fleet, HR and Health & Safety will take responsibility for different elements of the road risk program, which further complicates the harmonising of data and often results in missed opportunities to reduce risk.

So, apart from lack of time, internal risk expertise and departmental structure issues, most fleets also lack the other key element to make a risk program successful and that is a satisfactory electronic receptacle into which they can deposit all the risk data and also check that none of it exceeds the organisation’s minimum risk levels.

The net result of all these hurdles for a fleet is that risks get overlooked, which is not only dangerous, it risks the fleet becoming guilty of ‘willful blindness’. Furthermore, some fleets actually choose to turn a blind eye to high risk data because even if they know what to do about it – they often don’t have the time or resources to resolve it!

This is where the outsourced risk management industry is able to lend a hand in planning a program that is fit-for-purpose in terms of available budget and program objectives.

At RVM we build tailored risk management programs for fleets based on what priorities the fleet has identified.  These range from the very simple to the most complex depending on fleet profile, what needs outsourcing and what stage of the risk journey the fleet is currently at.

We work on raising safety culture levels within a driving population and by offering a supportive approach to improving drivers’ skill, habits and on-road behaviour. 

The upside is that by choosing an approach that is designed to seek and iron out bad driving habits, a fleet will gain the support of its drivers, which in turn means its high risks can be identified and worked upon. 

Additionally, this will show that a duty of care exists and a better claims record will follow.  Insurance costs will come down and driving safety becomes second nature and integral to the driving culture. Wilful blindness won’t be possible and won’t therefore be a threat.

In our experience, when a fleet chooses to invest in our approach, it wants a positive and tangible benefit in return and this is why, at RVM, our efforts are focused on our mission to reduce accident frequency. 

So don’t choose to rely on lady luck when you renew your fleet insurance policy. Take a more positive view by controlling fleet risk with RVM as your guide and partner. Learn more about what options are open to you and at what cost by calling RVM on 0113 224 8800 or contact us here or e-mail us on risk@rvmassist.co.uk

At RVM Assist Ltd our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs.

Running a Fleet. How risky is it, really?

In the light of recent contradictory court decisions involving corporate manslaughter by fleets, maybe the question is now: What, in the hierarchy of a fleet's needs, is the more important: health & safety compliance or reduced claims experience? Or are they just as important as each other?

The work involved in achieving the latter usually means automatic success in the former but not necessarily the other way round. In other words, it is quite possible to comply with health and safety law but still have a poor claims record. 

Indeed, it is easy to measure claims experience but not so easy to know if your fleet safety measures are enough to avoid prosecution for a lack of duty of care. So what does a fleet do?  

It certainly seems easier to comply legally than reduce claim frequency and that may be why most fleet insurance premiums are on the rise.  Some fleets choose to look at a few licences, issue a fleet safety policy and hey presto - compliance is ostensibly achieved. 

This may or may not be true; however, if what you want is to reduce claims, a fleet needs to know what and who have caused the claims historically and likewise who may cause them in the future and why. To do this accurately a fleet needs to embrace as many tools as possible to identify which drivers pose the greatest risk and then take appropriate steps.  

The chosen tools usually include checking licences and assessing drivers online but to maximise the chance of success, a fleet should also include claims data and a telematics feed, which are both factual and constant. The issue then is who gets the data and how do you bring it together to draw the correct conclusions? 

So you've gathered the data, so to whom do the risks point? Why? How serious is it? What might be the appropriate cure? When should it be administered? By whom? With what result? 

All these questions can be answered on behalf of a fleet and they demonstrate why most fleets need help in this area from a specialist fleet supplier that can link closely with fleet drivers to make sure money spent on assessing and training drivers’ results in a reduction in claims experience and an increase in duty of care. 

  

At RVM Fleet Services our integrated approach allows us to help fleets to implement effective safety policies, analyse trends and identify high risk drivers. Our Driver Training program is targeted, timely and appropriate.  The result is lower accident rates, improved driver safety, and reduced costs.

Contact us now on 01132248888 or e-mail risk@rvmfleetservices.co.uk to find out more.