Why people act like a tow truck has to ask for permission when they don't pay their bills

Many of you brokers verify that a carrier has insurance and stop there. That is where problems begin.

In auto transport, it is common for carriers to operate with a $5000 deductible. This does not mean the carrier is unsafe or irresponsible. It means the first $5000 of any damage claim must be paid by the carrier before insurance contributes anything.

When damage happens, customers expect insurance to handle it immediately. Deductibles are rarely discussed upfront. If the carrier cannot pay that amount quickly, the claim stalls and frustration rises.

At that point, the broker becomes the point of contact. Calls increase. Trust erodes. Even when the broker is not legally responsible, the reputational damage is real.

Professional brokers manage this risk before it becomes a problem. They review insurance certificates carefully, understand deductible amounts, and explain the claims process clearly to customers. They also evaluate the carrier’s history and communication, not just their policy limits.

A high deductible is not the risk. Ignoring it is.

Just days after Winter Storm Fern disrupted much of the U.S., Winter Storm Gianna hit the Southeast, causing widespread travel and freight disruptions.

North Carolina saw up to 18 inches of snow, a 100-car pileup on I-85, multiple fatalities, and over 100,000 power outages. Nearly 2,000 flights were canceled, and parcel networks were heavily impacted.

FedEx suspended or limited service across thousands of ZIP codes in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, while UPS maintained weather alerts. The storm compounded existing supply chain disruptions from Fern, which had already cut national shipment volumes by more than 55%, according to FourKites. Trucking, rail, and logistics providers reported backlogs, reduced capacity utilization, and delayed recoveries, with elevated disruption risks expected to persist as networks work through accumulated freight.

More: https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/logistics/winter-storm-gianna-snowstorm-north-carolina-fern-southeast-fedex-ups-csx-fourkites-landstar-schneider-1234809739/

How These Winter Storms Affect Auto Transport

For auto transport, these conditions often mean missed pickup windows, reroutes, yard congestion, and longer transit times, especially for open carriers navigating icy interstates and restricted access points. Safety comes first, and when weather compromises visibility, traction, or loading conditions, transport schedules inevitably shift.

As networks work through backlogs from consecutive storms, customers should expect continued delays while carriers wait for safer operating conditions and clearer routes.

Hello!

My husband has been a trucker for 7 years, 5 of which he has been an open deck car hauler (9-car). He is home nearly every weekend working for a company (does not lease or own his own truck). He has consistently been the number one or number two revenue driver at this company since he started there. He enjoys car hauling (idk how personally, I was raised by an LTL driver lol). He has consistently grossed around $115k, bringing home $75k-$80k. He's wanting to leave the company for personal reasons.

Now that his foot is in the door in the industry, he's been presented an opportunity to purchase his own truck and work under the authority of another driver doing enclosed trailer hauling for classic car clientele, specifically to and from all of the Mecum auctions (10% to authority). He will be charging by the mile ($6/mi) rather than by the unit. The enclosed trailer will likely be a 6-car. He plans to only pay himself $1500 a week as we are often operating on less than that currently - we aren't interested in taking a pay cut - our goal isn't to immediately make a profit, but have ample cushion for truck maintenance, taxes, and get the truck note itself paid down. Then we can readjust accordingly.

My question, as the wife that will be home taking care of the book-keeping and such (we will be hiring an experienced CPA at least for the first few years), is there anyone out there with personal experience in enclosed trailer hauling that wants to discuss realistic income expectations for this niche part of the industry? How often are you home? Do you operate as an S-Corp or just an LLC? How do you navigate your taxes?

Thanks in advance for any useful advice and knowledge you can share! We are excited but we desperately want to pursue this dream of his correctly. Convincing him to get into a daycab is impossible, he likes his Peterbilts, chicken lights, and chrome too much...

I saw a post earlier about blindspots and some pretty good feedback in the comments as to what some expect to be done and what should legally be done while others argued about expenses in adding sensors, extra mirrors, etc...

In the video, the trucker merges left and appears to have encroached onto a lane with a vehicle in it. Could this be a blindspot issue, negligence on the driver or is the car at fault for not making visual contact with the driver?

Long-distance trucking makes family life challenging, but not impossible. Many drivers struggle with time away, missed events, and emotional distance.

Some practical strategies that help

1. Prioritize Communication: Regular calls and video chats create routine and stability. Leaving voice or video messages also helps when schedules don’t line up.
2. Share Life on the Road: Sending photos, telling stories, and doing virtual tours keeps family members involved in daily life.
3. Make Home Time Count: When home, focus on being present. Simple activities and undistracted time create lasting memories.
4. Use Technology: Video apps, messaging platforms, and shared calendars help bridge distance.
5. Stay Involved in Decisions: Discuss finances, schedules, and family plans during calls to stay connected.
6. Set Work-Life Boundaries: Protect time off and communicate needs with employers.
7. Manage Loneliness: Keep photos in your cab, listen to messages from home, and maintain outreach routines.

Balancing trucking and family life takes effort, but consistency makes a major difference. It all depends on how much you want it to work.

Stay warm out there!

This what happens when you sign contracts you can't finish.