NASTC |

Introducing Canal’s New Driven Program

Mike Jordan — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:16:39 +0000

Attention NASTC Members in the following states:

AR, AZ, GA, IL, KY, MI, MN, MS, NM, OH, SC, PA, UT, WI, WV

Give NASTC Insurance Services a call today to discuss Canal’s New Driven Program. This enhanced program will allow you to be billed for your insurance based on the miles that you drive for all your lines of coverage. This recently rolled out “Exclusive” Program is extremely helpful for (1-15) unit fleets that have driver turn over and “spare” units that are not driving any miles. If you do not generate miles, then you will not pay the same standard monthly rate for your insurance premium as you have in the past.

Scan to the QR Code on the insert to determine if you ELD qualifies for the Driven Program, today.

If you would like to know more about this Program or any other insurance program that NASTC Insurance Services, LLC has to offer, please give us a call today.

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New Saliva Alcohol Screening Device: Alco-Screen 02

Nicole Gifford (NASTC Director, Drug & Alcohol Program) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:09:58 +0000

New Saliva Alcohol Screening Device: ALCO‑Screen 02

Learn how the ALCO‑Screen 02 saliva alcohol screening device helps fleets improve safety, streamline testing, and maintain FMCSA compliance.

The QED A-150 Saliva Alcohol Screening Device is no longer manufactured. If you currently have QEDs, you can still use them until you run out or they expire. We are now using a new device called the Alco Screen 02. If you are an STT trained by NASTC and you have not been trained on the new device, please contact our office. If your STT Training is current, you do not have to be totally retrained, BUT you do have to complete the mock collection portion of the STT Training specific to the device that you are using per FMCSA. The mock collections must be observed by someone that is already trained on the Alco Screen 02 and we can do that with you through a webcam training that takes about 20-30 minutes.

Some facts about the new device:

– The Alcohol Testing Form has not changed
– The cost of the new device is the same as the QEDs, but you will receive an additional device for the same price
– The shelf life of the Alco Screen 02 runs about the same as the QED device

Again, if you have not been trained on the new Alco Screen 02 give us a call, 800-264-8580.

For fleets looking to modernize alcohol screening and maintain regulatory compliance, the ALCO‑Screen 02 is a fast, non-invasive solution. Incorporating it into your safety program can help you detect potential issues early, improve driver safety, and stay aligned with FMCSA guidelines.

Learn more about NASTC drug and alcohol testing and compliance support programs or contact us to discuss how we can help your fleet stay compliant, safe, and efficient.

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Drug and Alcohol Testing Reminders

Nicole Gifford (NASTC Director, Drug & Alcohol Program) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:41:04 +0000

COLLECTION SITE FEES

If your company uses a clinic for a drug test or alcohol test to be done, please know that NASTC does not pay for those services. Your company is responsible for any and all fees accrued by using a clinic. These fees may be billed to your company directly from the clinic or if you use a Quest Diagnostics Clinic the fees will be billed from the clinic-to our lab-to NASTC-to you. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE CLINIC YOU USE HAS YOUR COMPANY INFORMATION FOR BILLING. Again, NASTC does not pay any fees generated by using a clinic for collections.

UPDATING YOUR DRIVER ROSTER

Please do not include a driver’s social security number on any drug or alcohol testing paperwork. We no longer use this data. Please use the driver’s CDL number and state of issue (EXAMPLE: TX452843J33).

As you know, NASTC sends you your driver roster every quarter before a new quarter starts, asking that you update it and send it back to us by a certain date. You may also add and delete drivers as you go through the quarter. You would just simply need to send an email to nastc.driverroster@nastc.com giving us the driver first and last name, date of birth and CDL# and state of issue and ask us to ADD or DELETE the driver from your roster. It’s that easy. It is very important that you keep your driver roster updated with NASTC. Your company is not in compliance if you are not updating your roster with us.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

If you are a Urine Collector, please remember, the Collector CANNOT be a relative, spouse or ex-spouse of the donor being tested.

If you are a trained collector or trained STT, you must have your email registered to receive List Serve Notices from FMCSA. Please see 40.33(a) in Part 40 of the regulations in your training book.

Please make sure your random selections are completed within the quarter they are selected, IT IS REQUIRED. Always make sure whether the driver was selected for Drug Only or Drug and Alcohol.

Check your certification date on your Collector Training and STT Training. You must be trained every 5 years.

Please make sure you have anyone in your company that supervises a driver trained in Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors.

Any NASTC member that is not on our Drug & Alcohol Testing Program, please give me a call and let’s compare your existing program to our program. You probably do not realize what you are missing! We have an awesome program with NO YEARLY FEE and NO PER DRIVER FEE. Contact us today!

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Your Solution for Transportation Insurance

Mike Jordan — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 16:02:00 +0000

I wanted to take a few minutes and remind our members that if you are in the market or need for insurance, new or renewal, our team is the perfect resource for your needs.

We understand that you may have a trusted resource that you lean on for this type of service. If it is not broken you do not need to fix it. We understand that your trust is earned and not expected, just because you are a member of NASTC.

As an Agency we are dedicated to working with members of NASTC as our primary client base. That is not to say that we don’t insure folks that are not members, but that type of business is not our focus. Our mission is to be the best resource possible, when we are called upon to service the NASTC membership.

If you would like to explore the options that we have available outside or your current agent’s reach, give us a call. We would like to at least be the other voice of reason beside some random stranger calling you and offering the deal of a lifetime just because they pulled your information off the Safer Licensing & Insurance web page.

If it is related to Transportation Insurance, we have a solution. I routinely get responses from one year to the next that we could not help last year, so it is commonly thought that we will not be able to assist again. That is indeed NOT the case. We continue to add markets that allow us to have an extension reach and appetite.

New Market options for 2025: Geico (PKG), Sutton Specialty, and Accredited.

Existing Market Menu: Northland, Canal, IAT, Progressive, Berkley Small Business, Great West (Partner Program), Berkshire Hathaway (Homestate), Lancer, Crum & Foster and more.

(Owner Operator Coverages): Non-Trucking Liability / Unladen / Physical Damage options – (8-10) markets.

NASTC Insurance Services, LLC: has our own program for (Non-Trucking) Liability. (MSP – Management Safety Program) companies can receive additional discounts for being a participant!

Give us a call today to see how we can help.

844.264.8500 / nastc.insurance@nastc.com

Mike Jordan – Jeremey Townes – Michelle Francis are here to help.

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CVSA Vehicle Out-Of-Services Changes For 2025

Angel Clark — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:48:28 +0000

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) have made some upcoming changes to their Out-of-Service criteria which will take effect on April 1. Much thought and consideration is put into these important modifications to the North American Standard Out of Service Criteria Handbook. This year’s changes include brakes, tires, and lighting. Below is just a sampling of the new revisions.

Inoperative electric trailer bakes due to a disconnected electrical line will result in only a singular out-of-service infraction.
Crimped air brake hoses/tubing that restrict air flow are no longer considered an out-of-service breach.
A brake hose that is marked as a different type of hose (like a fuel line) will result in a vehicle being placed out of service.
Loose dunnage and vehicle components are considered to be a vehicle out-of-service condition even though the regulations classify it as a driver violation.
Cracked, broken, or missing U-bolt plates are now listed as an out-of-service item.
Tires with leaks in the sidewall are an out-of-service condition.

For a complete list of the 2025 changes, please visit CVSA.org. These updates will be in full force for the first CVSA inspection event this year, the International Roadcheck, happening May 13-15.

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Drug Testing Compliance Reminders

Nicole Gifford (NASTC Director, Drug & Alcohol Program) — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

We had a wonderful “Best Three Days in Trucking” NASTC Conference last week! Thank you to all who were able to join us in Nashville, it was a pleasure getting to spend a few days with all of you! Everyone that was not able to join us, please plan to join us next year October 23rd, 24th and 25th! In this post I would like to remind everyone of a couple of the most important compliance issues:

Random Testing

It is vital that you complete ALL random testing in the quarter that it is selected, the regulations require it. For some reason, people tend to not put as much emphasis on getting their alcohol random testing completed. Please know that the random alcohol testing carries the same weight as the random drug testing, one is not any more important than the other. They are equally important. If you have a driver chosen for random and that driver is no longer employed by your company, that random requirement doesn’t just go away. In this situation, you would need to use an alternate driver. If we have not chosen an alternate driver for you automatically, it is your responsibility to contact NASTC and request that we send you an alternate selection.

FMCSA Clearinghouse Queries

Please make sure your company is registered in the FMCSA Clearinghouse and that you are conducting the required queries on your drivers and doing the required reporting of violations. The Clearinghouse started at the beginning of 2020 and the FMCSA has given quite a grace period for everyone to get this going. They are now taking action when auditing companies that are not performing their proper Clearinghouse duties. NASTC does not do the Clearinghouse employer duties for you, but we will gladly help you in knowing how and what to do.

REMINDERS:

Check your training certification if you are a collector or an STT, you must be trained every five years
If you are a collector, you may not collect for a spouse, ex-spouse or relative
Make sure any person at your company that supervises a driver has completed the Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors

Please always call NASTC with any questions you may have. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Single Load Based (Spike) Cargo Insurance

Mike Jordan — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:37:00 +0000

With cargo theft rising year over year, it has become more difficult to secure trusted methods of Spike or Single Load Excess Cargo. Brokers, carriers, and agents have less options in the last couple of years, because insurance options and carriers in this market have become scarce. Even if the program is still active, the list of approved commodities has become smaller making it more difficult to cover loads in a timely manner.

NASTC Insurance Services, LLC has been fortunate enough of discover an option for Spike Cargo that has the following attributes:

– Quick Online Entry
– Limited Commodity Restrictions (Cannabis/Contraband, Drive-a-way, Household Goods
Property Mover, Mobile Homes). All other commodities considered.
– We can provide a quote without being your primary insurance agent. We just need
proof of current coverage along with shipment details.

In an uncertain market, allow NASTC Insurance Services, LLC be your trusted solutions for you Spike/Excess Motor Truck Cargo needs.

Give us a call today.
844.264.8500

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Drivers and Risk: An Insurance Perspective

Mike Jordan — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:41:00 +0000

Having safe and qualified drivers is the most important asset of a successful small trucking company. The luxury of having a risky driver is nonexistent. To grow a risk adverse company, there should be a guideline for driver qualification. The measured characteristics of drivers that affect risk are age, driving experience and the driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR). All three of these factors dictate insurance premiums and driver qualifications for insurance companies. When hiring new drivers, they must be affordable and reliable. Using set guidelines will guarantee a driver is affordable. Using previous employment history and recommendations will give an understanding on the reliability of the hired driver.

If the driver meets the qualifications that the company has set forth, using the FMCSA’s pre-employment screening program (PSP) will give the last remaining details and assurances that the driver is a good hire. The FMCSA’s PSP provides details about the past five years including crash data and three years of roadside inspection data. Using this additional data, a company can gauge the safety of a driver through concrete numerical figures. According to the FMCSA, “Companies using PSP to Screen new hires lower their crash rate by 8% and driver out-of-service rates by 17%, on average, compared to those that do not use PSP.” (FMCSA, https://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/psp/public). Using the PSP program, MVR checking, and employment history will remove the risk of negligent hiring.

The risks sustained for a company driver versus an owner operator vary. Generally, Owner-operators indicate less risk due to several factors. Owner-Operators carry their own physical damage, which costs the company less overhead cost. Owner operators generally have more experience and are older than the standard company driver. The replacement cost for an owner operator is generally less due to the lease agreements that are in place. While there is less risk and maintenance for owner operators there are fewer potential earnings for the business owner.

Driver Health is an important factor for driver retention. Neglecting driver health will cause higher turnover. NASTC provides several programs that help companies be proactive in improving driver health and facilitating improved chances for a pass from the medical examiners within our driver health and wellness program. One part of the driver health and wellness program is the sleep apnea program. As litigation increases from the government about the health of drivers, it is important that trucking companies are proactive in the investment of driver health. Using our sleep apnea program minimizes the possible financial and health risks by using preemptive actions.

HelpMD is another program at NASTC that we encourage companies to obtain. It is a telemedicine program in which drivers can obtain prescription medicines for common illnesses over the phone. Since drivers are over the road, access to proper medical care is reduced. Using Help MD reduces the risk that a driver is out of work due to sickness which will cause them to be safer, happier, and healthier.

Incidents that cause injury to drivers on the road are inevitable. It is important to not only protect your equipment with insurance but also your drivers. Protecting your drivers, which can include yourself, can be completed with the use of workers compensation or an occupational accident plan.

Drivers are a variable that affect every aspect on a trucking company. In small trucking companies it is more important that the standard of hiring be greater than those of the larger ones. To mitigate risk, invest in the process of hiring drivers and maintaining drivers. This will pay dividends in the long-term success of your company.

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To Interchange Or To Non-Owned Trailer, That Is The Question

Mike Jordan — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:52:00 +0000

Reference: Going Deeper on insurance requirement unique to power only operations: Trailer Interchange v. Non-owed Trailer (W.Joel Baker-Jan18th, 2022)

This week NASTC Insurance Services, LLC. and a few of our clients, were reminded that not all coverage is created equal when it pertains to needing Trailer Interchange vs. Non-Owned Trailer coverage. When an insurance agent is in the discovery process and discussing trailer usage with a prospect, we are asking details about the types of trailers an insured will use in their operation as well as the specific types of cargo commodities that each will haul on a regular basis. The reason this is important is because not all insurance companies view the coverage the same way. If this information is not communicated properly and understood, it could have disastrous and costly consequences for a motor carrier. Unfortunately, the term Trailer Interchange is often used as a “loose” term describing any trailer that a motor carrier uses to transport loads when the insured does not own one directly. Insurance companies and risk managers with large brokerage operations have taken it upon themselves to tell us there is a difference.

Trailer Interchange is used to cover hauling units that are owned by a single company or customer. The interchange agreement will contain information on scope, usage, and coverage of the trailer while it is in your possession and will typically need to be signed by both parties to be considered valid. Most insurance companies believe the above items need to be present, to be considered a valid Trailer Interchange agreement. The cost of Trailer Interchange is also calculated differently than non-owned trailer. As an agent, we need to know the value limit to cover the trailer for comprehensive and collision, the number of loads or turns per week that will be hauled by the motor carrier, and how many weeks per year usage is needed. The rating factors used in pricing the interchange coverage can be less than the basic method used for Non-Owned Trailer coverage depending on the usage. If the trailer type and cargo commodities are the same and a valid interchange agreement exists, a Trailer Interchange can apply to multiple agreements. The value limit just needs to be high enough to cover the multiple agreements and updated load figures and usage time provided to the insurance company.

Non-Owned trailer coverage is used to provide comprehensive and collision coverage on a trailer that is not owned by the motor carrier. The trailer is also one that does not have the same vin# used on a regular basis. As an agent, if we do not have a copy of the interchange agreement from the insured, we are most likely going to put this type of coverage on a policy. It is important for your insurance agent to know which companies / polices will allow Non-Owned trailer coverage or will only accept a signed Interchange Agreement. The cost for Non-Owned trailer coverage is typically calculated the same as an “Owned” trailer would be. All Power units and trailers will have a physical damage rate based on percent of value. If you have a current physical damage rate of (5%), that rate would also be used to calculate the value of the Non-Owned trailer. The cost could vary somewhat if you already have a primary rated trailer on policy as the liability cost associated with this trailer might be rated as a spare unit, which would be a small bit less than the primary trailer.

Until recently, it has been easier for agents and insureds to just have Non-Owned added to their policies so neither had to worry about policing the interchange information required by the insurance companies. Claims issues and concerns with some insurance and brokerage companies have made it necessary to have both coverages represented on an insurance policy. One of the larger companies is shifting to Trailer Interchange only coverage when a client is hauling their owned trailers omitting the fact that they have accepted Non-Owned trailer coverage in the past. So, if you are dealing with some of the larger asset-based brokers moving forward, it may be a requirement for you to have both coverages if their company loads are not 100% of the load volume that you carry.

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Guide to Trucking Fraud

PJ Park — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:53:00 +0000

Fraud Prevention Video Series: Links and Takeaways

Brought to you by Orange Commercial Credit

Fraud Tip Series #1 YOUR SHIELD AGAINST FREIGHT FRAUD

Fraud in the freight industry has skyrocketed by 400% in recent years.
Watch the series to learn the basics to spot the red flags from fraudulent rate confirmations, fake emails, and double brokering.
Your factoring company can help you spot the red flags.
Watch Here: youtube.com/shorts/WFfXh6h7qfc

Fraud Tip Series #2 – VET YOUR BROKERS

Examine paperwork carefully looking for anything that looks suspicious like Gmail or Hotmail emails, vague load details, missing information, weird font variations.
Make sure the information on the rate confirmation you were given matches the actual information on that company’s website and their SAFER profile.
When you notice something’s off, take the time to make a couple phone calls and don’t be afraid to question it.
Watch Here: youtube.com/shorts/pqu2z3MNoY8

Fraud Tip Series #3 – SECURE YOUR INFO!

Hackers are trying to log into truckers load board, FMCSA/DOT and email accounts.
Use strong passwords! Don’t let employees share login credentials.
Check your FMSCA account weekly to make sure it still has your info and the pin works.
Never give your carrier packet to unsolicited callers. They may be imposters trying to carry out identify theft on your company.
Watch Here: youtube.com/shorts/53dlFo2_dpI

Fraud Tip Series #4 – FRAUD IN THE PURCHASES & SALES OF MC CARRIER AUTHORITY

Scammers call carriers offering $10,000 to buy your MC# but are scamming you to get your bank or login information.
When selling an MC, always be sure to cancel your bond.
Check for liens on any MC you are thinking about buying.
Do not pay for an MC with Venmo or CashApp. Always use a professional payment method that can be traced.
Watch Here: youtube.com/shorts/aWV8YLMQt_k

Fraud Tip Series #5 – THE BIGGEST TIPS!

No one is immune: even big carriers, brokers and shippers are victims of fraud and scams.
If anything looks odd or off, don’t hesitate to question it. Run it by your factor.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If your company falls victim to fraud, follow the steps listed on this sheet.

Watch Here: www.youtube.com/shorts/sPYXV9UcruM

Where to Start if Your Trucking Company is a Victim of Fraud:

Notify your bank and credit card companies
Contact law enforcement and your insurance company
Alert factoring companies, load boards and customers
Confirm your company’s information at FMCSA
File a report with the FTC
Contact the email service provider of the fraudulent email account (ex Gmail) and have the email shut down
Contact the Office of the Inspector General at DOT: https://www.oig.dot.gov/hotline
Search load boards to see if you can find the load and then contact the original broker
The complete FMCSA Broker and Carrier Fraud and Identity Theft checklist:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/help/broker-and-carrier-fraud-and-identity-theft

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