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Based on a study, electronic, apparel, or food manufacturers are often the targets of cargo thieves. These thieves are opportunists, always on the look-out for their next victims. Cargo theft might be a common occurrence, but you can prevent these from happening to you. Here are some preventive actions against cargo theft.

Select Contractor/Employees Carefully

Whether you’re renting cargo or hiring employees to move your goods to and from a different state, use a strict standard to choose contractors or employees.

If you’re hiring a contractor, here are the best ways to ensure you’re entrusting your manufactured goods to the right people.

• The carrier provides the identity of the driver at least 24 hours before the pick-up.
• You should have complete information about the driver and compare it to the person who will get your goods.
• Both parties should agree that there’ll be no subcontractors.

When you’re hiring your employees for trucking, make sure your driver undergoes full training on preventing cargo theft. The driver should know the best security practices during shipment, including knowing hot spots and red zones. He should travel at least 200 miles in the next four hours after pick-up before his first stop.

Implement Best Security Practices

There are three common ways of protecting your cargo while in transit. One, use high-security seals. For trucks with “barn” doors, the recommended cable seals are made of 3/16″ steel and are long. Also, reinforce security locks with physical locks.

Second, track your shipment. You can put GPS tracking on your cargo. Many GPS devices are sophisticated, and you will know right away that something is wrong. The GPS device will warn you when a shipment sits too long in one location. You can also get a notification when a thief opens your cargo truck.

Last, insure your goods, especially if they are expensive. A Denver Trucking Insurance policy can protect your assets during unprecedented circumstances. You can mitigate the loss with a reimbursement claim from your insurance provider.

Inspect Before Shipment

This task applies if you contract someone or a company to move your products. Perform inspection when the cargo truck arrives in your facility. Thus, the employee stationed at the gate should know what he’s doing. Alternatively, have someone inspect before loading any goods in the trailer.

• Check the security seals, the inner compartment, and the roof/floor of the truck.
• Compare the information of the driver to the one you got 24 hours earlier- the info should match.
• Never accept a driver who isn’t the same as the one provided to you yesterday, no matter what.

Remember, a cargo truck that is in the worst condition should make you uneasy. Why? Because thieves can easily break that trailer without a sweat.

Should you refuse if the cargo truck sent to you is dilapidated? Of course. Communicate with the contractor about the dilapidated truck or the sudden change of driver.

Gather Important information

Always make sure you get the right and necessary information before and after the shipment. This information relates to the driver, the truck, and the trailer. Record the plate number and get photos of the truck before it leaves your facility.

On top of this, make sure your driver has another alternative communication when he leaves the facility. It would help if you also had the contact info of the dispatcher. In case something is amiss, you can contact them immediately.

Keep this information in a safe place. If you’re using software to track all your shipments, make sure you backup the data. Many cargo thieves are tech-savvy, and they will try to jam your system, especially if they have been planning the robbery for months.

Post Shipment Activities

Once your shipment leaves your facility, all you need is to monitor the progress. All people involved, whether employees or contractors, should be in high alert mode. Persons designated to monitor should know whom to contact when the driver suddenly calls in the middle of the night.

It’s relevant that a person can transmit critical information to alert authorities when necessary. The success (or failure) of the thieves depends on how fast you and your team act in such situations.

In conclusion, preventive measures are extraordinary but aren’t a guarantee against cargo theft. Thus, protect your business against loss with trucking insurance.

About Mountainside Insurance Management

Mountainside Insurance Management, LLC is a multi-state insurance brokerage and management specialist. We are an independent brokerage and work with over 150 A+ carriers to secure comprehensive coverage for our clients. Our brokerage is committed to providing the highest quality insurance and risk management services at the most competitive premiums with hands-on services tailored to our customers’ needs. For more information about reducing your risk, contact us today at (720) 800-9495.