Choice One Insurance, Inc.

05/21/2026

Episode 2: Carriers can claim profile in the new registration system - MOTUS.

Overdrive's Todd Dills talks about important steps the Motor Carriers can take now to claim their access to their USDOT/FMCSA data, after it was migrated from the legacy systems over the last weekend.

All motor carriers, brokers and other registered users will now undergo identity verification to claim those accounts in FMCSA's new Motus registration system.

05/21/2026

State of Washington has been a monopolistic state for Workers Compensation coverage since ages ago. If your company is based out of Washinton state or has workers in the state, here is what you need to know:

Penalty increases for violations of workers’ compensation laws go into effect July 1, 2026
Details:

Penalty increases for violations of workers' compensation laws go into effect on July 1, 2026 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin at 05/21/2026 06:53 AM PDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Penalty increases for violations of workers’ compe...

05/13/2026

🚨 FMCSA ALERT – ACTION REQUIRED BEFORE MAY 14
FMCSA is shutting down its current systems and moving to a new platform (Motus).
👉 After May 14, you won’t be able to file or update anything during the transition
👉 Your old login will NOT work
👉 You must have Login.gov + verified FMCSA Portal access
✅ Log in now
✅ Verify your Company Official
✅ Make sure your info is current
⚠️ If you don’t, you risk losing access to your DOT account and delays in your authority.
Need help? Reach out to Choice One Insurance—we’ve got you covered.

Access to the new MOTUS portal - https://motus.dot.gov/

05/08/2026

FMCSA has released an updated guide about driver coersion.
What is driver coersion? How to know if it takes place?
What types of coersion exist and what they mean?
What non-compliant motor carriers do to "punish" the driver?
What can be done?
What about retaliation for filing a complaint?

Whether you are a Motor Carrier or a Driver, the Guide provides clear picture of what coersion is and gives trucking companies an opportunity to self-assess and correct their actions before they get reported, and explains to drivers how to get help.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/faqs-prohibited-coercion-cmv-drivers

01/29/2026

https://www.choiceoneinsuranceinc.com/blog/commercial-insurance-for-long-and-short-term-rentals/

REQUEST A PROPOSAL Motor Carrier Defender Owner-Operator Protector Contractor Defender Personal Lines x Get a Motor Carrier Defender Proposal Undoubtedly, the Transportation segment of the U.S. economy is a very unique and complex place to be in. Powered by transportation service providers... Reques...

01/01/2026

Did you already make your New Year Commitments? This may help you decide on them.

Hear me out: Is your plan to get rich just a long-term job in disguise? 🤔 🎥 TV Series name: Key and Peele (2012-2015) 🎬 Comedy | Farse ⭐️ Rating: 8.3/10 (...

12/15/2025

If you own or rent real estate property in Washington state and have suffered flood damages from recent inclement weather, you may want to read this message from the WA Insurance Commissioner -

https://www.insurance.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/2025-Kuderer-letter-flood-recovery.pdf

12/12/2025

🚨 WA Employers: Penalty Increases Coming July 2026!
Starting July 1, 2026, penalties for workers’ compensation violations will rise by 12% under state law requiring inflation adjustments every 3 years.
✅ Examples:
• Failure to register: $1,161 → $1,300
• Stop-work order violation: $1,161/day → $1,300/day
📌 Action: Review compliance now. Final amounts will be posted by L&I in June 2026.

10/30/2025

A bipartisan duo—Sen. Tom Cotton (R‑AR) and Rep. Andy Barr (R‑KY)—is calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Department of Transportation to investigate so‑called “CDL mills”: training programs pushing minimally prepared drivers through the system using loopholes in FMCSA’s Entry‑Level Driver Training (ELDT) regs.
Full article:

A pair of Congressmen are calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to investigate so-called "CDL mills" that "prioritizing volume over proper safety and training requirements." Plus, autonomous operations expand in Texas; more.

04/12/2025

How to Properly Screen a Driver

Hiring the right driver is critical to the success and safety of any business that relies on vehicles in its operations. This is especially true for motor carriers, where drivers spend the bulk of their on-duty time behind the wheel, representing your company on the road.

At the core of this process is a simple but powerful philosophy: find the right person. While insurance plays a vital role in managing risk—and while certain drivers may indeed be ineligible for coverage under your policy—it is not the responsibility of the insurance company to set your hiring standards or vet your candidates. That duty rests solely on your shoulders as a business owner.

It is your responsibility to pre-qualify driver candidates—ensuring that their age, driving experience, license class, endorsements, restrictions, medical certification, driving history, and overall safety record meet the requirements of your organization, your business partners, and regulatory agencies. You must also ensure that the risk they represent is acceptable to your management and ultimately, to your insurer.

We are always available to provide you with your policy’s driver acceptability criteria upon request. However, we strongly discourage submitting a driver to the insurer for approval before your internal screening process is complete. Doing so may be perceived as an attempt to pass a high-risk candidate onto the insurer, which can strain your relationship with underwriters and damage your long-term insurability.

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Best Practices for Hiring Drivers: A Risk Management Perspective
Interview with Intention

Begin with a thorough interview. Determine not only the candidate’s qualifications but also their interest in working with your organization and their willingness to invest time and energy into a professional hiring process.

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Collect Complete Documentation
Ensure you receive a fully completed and signed application along with all necessary consent forms. Review every document carefully. Missing dates, blank fields, incomplete addresses, or vague employment history should raise immediate red flags.

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Verify Background Information
Examine the applicant’s resume, employment history, PSP report, MVR (motor vehicle record), CDL school certificates, and any reference letters. Look out for inconsistencies, vague answers, or attempts to downplay incidents. Press for full disclosure. Phrases like “I don’t remember” or “I’m not sure” should prompt further investigation.

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Conduct Drug and Alcohol Screening
If the driver passes initial checks, schedule a pre-employment drug and alcohol test. This step is not just smart business—it’s often required by law for CDL drivers.

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Administer a Road Test
Arrange a road test to evaluate their actual driving skills. Avoid using public roads for this evaluation whenever possible. Keep in mind that some insurance policies only provide liability coverage for listed drivers or may require notice within a specific grace period when adding new drivers.

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A Final Word of Caution
The majority of traffic accidents are caused by human error. As a business owner, your goal is to run a successful, loss-free operation. That requires discipline—especially when hiring drivers.
Sometimes, that means making difficult decisions. You may have to turn down a candidate you've known personally for years. You may feel pressure to get a truck back on the road quickly. But saying “No” at the right time could save your business, your reputation, and someone’s life.

Be wise. Be firm. Stay strong.