The largest independent vehicle management company in the UK
News & events
Property services company eps plc has cut its insurance claims in half in 18 months thus saving thousands of pounds, and Fleet Support Group has contributed to this with its at-work driving risk management solution.
Kent-based EPS operates a 300-strong fleet of mainly light commercial vehicles and works across three sectors - social housing, building services and security. Its customers include housing associations, local authorities and companies such as HSBC.
The company insures for third party claims only, which means that own-fault incidents directly impact on the company thereby wiping profit off its bottom line.
Data recorded by RiskMaster, FSG’s web-enabled driver, vehicle and journey risk management solution, reveals that in the first six months of 2007 the company incurred 83 claims. However, in the second half of last year the figure dropped to 63 claims and in the first six months of 2008 a total of 44 claims were recorded.
The figures highlight that there has been a 50% reduction in the number of at-fault incidents involving a third party vehicle and further major reductions in so-called ‘non-recovery’ claims - scrapes, hit while parked, vandalism, etc. - and non-fault accidents.
EPS fleet purchasing manager Bruce Tee said: “Cost control is vital to all businesses and we have taken action to reduce our vehicle claims and, as a result, are making financial savings.”
In addition to providing RiskMaster, FSG undertakes accident management and uninsured loss recovery on behalf of the company.
FSG chairman Geoffrey Bray said: “No matter how a company insures, crashes cost money. In addition, the intangible costs of incidents must be factored in whether that relates to administration or delays in delivering goods, carrying out work or forcing a meeting to be postponed.
“EPS has been able to eliminate significant costs because it has focused on taking action in a crucial area. Not only is cash being saved but the company is complying with all areas of legislation applying to at-work drivers.”
He added: “It is clear that by effectively using available data, eps is seeing a reduction in accidents. As a result the number of insurance claims is falling and insurance premiums should also fall. However, because the company insures third party it will also save itself a significant amount of money in funding the cost of own-fault accidents.
“EPS is showing strong fleet management and when the UK is in the grip of recession it is even more imperative that areas of cost are identified and savings made.”
RiskMaster has been developed over eight years and ensures compliance with all areas associated with driving at work resulting in employees being given a ‘Permit to Drive’, which is regularly reviewed.
Embracing, an at-work driving policy document, risk assessment, continuous performance measures including vehicle and driver licence checks, RiskMaster enables businesses to compile a ‘Driver Operating Life Report’ for each member of staff from data which is continually used to assess individual drivers in their driving-at-work activity.
In addition, based on individual assessments, targeted solutions, such as driver training, may also be provided.
Fleet Support Group (FSG) is the largest independent vehicle management company in the UK and looks after approximately 50,000 vehicles.
The well-established organisation based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, has gained an enviable reputation within the industry by continually concentrating on delivering a consistent, quality service embracing full vehicle acquisition and disposal, vehicle outsourcing, fleet management, risk management and work-related road safety, maintenance management, accident management, breakdown recovery, short-term car rental and truck management.
Within the FSG team, there is significant industry experience and qualifications across the range of services provided. This in turn is supported by an in-house IT operation which is continuously upgrading the internal systems and applications to ensure that, by innovation and product development, FSG leads the field in the provision of vehicle management.
For further information contact: FSG chairman Geoffrey Bray on 0844 8000 700