The low down on new drivers, and insurance companies.
Hi all first post... I'm a broker and will gladly answer this as there is a lot of confusion in the market.
Un-Restricted Fleet Policy,
(UN-RESTRICTED is important check with your broker...)
you can hire who ever you want, but when it comes time for renewal if your insurance company sends out a fleet services guy (which Markel and Old Republic always do) and your trending towards inexperienced drivers it just looks bad. If your claims are good you'll probably not have a problem but they will be far less "lenient" if you have claims with inexperienced drivers.
For non-fleet policies it's really tough, it's possible but you'll be paying the premium... if you're doing any kind of US miles a "one star" driver will easily be over 22 grand a year.
Markel will let you hire one year experience and give them a "one star" rating, or, they may give them a "3 star" if they have enough school exp. Any school from TTSAO (
Truck Training Schools of Ontario Inc. will get the "3 star" but sometimes if the school has a very good curriculum they will earn it as well.
AXA is 3 years only but have SOME leniency for schooling.
Old Republic is 3 years practical no exceptions.
I know it's tough out there, but really no way to get around putting good experienced guys in your trucks, if you want to be in business for a long time that is...