11 things to keep in mind when selecting truck stop.
Parking is one of the many factors considered by insurance companies when quoting clients. It’s not just the price that can change with your parking location, your eligibility for certain coverages may be impacted by the parking location you select.
Insurance companies have vast pools of data, and they know which locations are more likely to be targeted by thieves and vandals. For example, certain parts of Illinois, New Jersey and Florida are excluded from theft coverage. In other instances, insurance companies for high-risk areas increase deductibles for theft.
Many insurance companies will not cover a theft of your equipment and of cargo, if truck was left unattended in an unsecured location. Insurance companies define an unsecure location as one that is not secured by a fence, gate and is not monitored 24/7 by either a person at the location or remotely by
surveillance cameras.
Whether you are looking for a short or long-term parking for your truck, you do not have the data that insurance companies have, but you can easily spot clues or get information from fellow truck drivers, here is a list of things to ask and to watch for:
- Is the whole parking area secured by a fence?
- Is there a functioning gate?
- Security cameras? (Find out for how long data is kept, if there is no recording of video footage it’s like having no cameras)
- 24/7 monitoring in person or via cameras or both?
- Any signs of vandalism inside and outside of the parking? (Any signs of vandalism increase chances of recurrence)
- Ask other truck drivers if they know of theft and vandalism cases at the location?
- Read online reviews, any complaints of vandalism, theft? Or perhaps parking facility sells more spots than it has? Any drivers complained that they had to park outside of the fenced area?
- Any signs of a flood? Or parking is in known flood area?
- Is it well illuminated at night?
- Poorly maintained? While maintenance may not be a concern for you, it is usually a sign of bigger problems and shortcuts taken by the management that will eventually impact you and your safety.
- Keep in mind that malls and shopping centers are not valid parking locations for trucks and you are likely to be fined or towed away. If you have to park at the business location that is not designated truck parking, make sure to double check with the owner or manager of the business before parking overnight.
Any location with signs of vandalism, poor maintenance, missing security features is a sure sign of future problems. Answering the above listed questions will help you find a parking location that is the most likely to provide you with a security and peace of mind.
Also, did you know that a truck parking lot is one of the most common places for truckers to get into accidents?