CSA Scores and Their Impact on Fleet Insurance

April 20, 2015

What is a CSA Score?
In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched a safety enforcement program called Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA). The purpose of this program is to make the roads safer for the public and carriers. However, if you’re not a transportation company, you may not be aware of just how important CSA scores are to the FMCSA and insurance providers.

What factors contribute to a CSA Score?
CSA scores are based on a variety of factors. These include everything from vehicle maintenance to driver fitness to your crash history. And the severity of these offenses is also taken into consideration. For example, having a broken tail light may not be considered as severe as having a vehicle on the road that has faulty breaks.

The Consequences of a Low CSA Score
If you’re managing a fleet of vehicles, the last thing you want is to be subjected to an inordinate amount of Department of Transportation (DOT) inspections. These can be costly and time-consuming. And Insurance companies also pay attention to CSA scores. So, if your score isn’t good, your insurance rates are likely to increase. In really bad situations, insurance companies might not even consider providing you with any coverage because you’re too high a risk.

Monitor Your Score
If you want to stay in the good graces of the DOT and insurance companies, it’s imperative that you look at your data regularly. Put someone in charge of monitoring this information so you’re aware of how you’re scoring, and so you can develop a strategy for how to make improvements. If you need help getting started, turn to your insurance broker. He or she will be able to provide you with an insider’s point of view on what insurance companies look for and ways to address potential risks.