• Progressive offers free ELDs through Smart Haul program

    For truckers insured through Progresssive, the transition to electronic logging devices has gotten a little easier. The company is offering a free ELD and will cover the monthly fee for customers who are willing to share their data, explains Brett Stalnaker, product manager for Progressive.
    April 20, 2017
    2 min read
    Trucker 1303 Rm Dc 200

    For truckers insured through Progresssive, the transition to electronic logging devices has gotten a little easier. The company is offering a free ELD and will cover the monthly fee for customers who are willing to share their data, explains Brett Stalnaker, product manager for Progressive.

    “We know [the ELD mandate] is a big pain point for our customers—everybody’s nervous about it, wondering what to do,” Stalnaker says. “One of the biggest things people struggle with is the unknown. The great part about the Smart Haul program is that it gives truckers the opportunity to give ELDs a try before the mandate kicks in. Keep your paper logs, and take a look at how it’s going to affect you and your business.”

    Additionally, Progressive is teaming with Rand McNally to offer up to $500 in gift cards after purchasing one of two Rand McNally E-Log devices.

    Participant drivers need to:

    1. Purchase a Rand McNally ELD 50 or DC 200 device at their favorite travel center, such as Travel Centers of America.
    2. Call 1-855-305-0958 to obtain a quote from Progressive and sign on as a customer of commercial liability insurance. Existing Progressive customers also are eligible for the Smart Haul program.
    3. Begin using the E-Log device and sharing driving data with Progressive.

    Once the ELD is in use, and Progressive has begun receiving driving data, the insurer will send the participant payment of $100 in gift cards. After this, four quarterly payments of $100 gift cards will be sent for a total of $500 as long as the participant continues using the ELD and is a Progressive customer in good standing.

    As for the data sharing, the “ultimate goal” will be to collect and analyze real-world, over-the-road performance information and then to offer “the best rates to the best customers,” Stalnaker adds.

    “We don’t have any plans at this point to anything more than to learn about specific driving habits, and it’s not going to affect anybody’s rates today,” he says. “We won’t be sharing the data with anyone else. We’re just working to put together something to help our customers out. It’s tough out on the road, but there are things we can do as an insurer to make things a little easier. What we’d like is to have customers for life, where we’re their partner. We’re at a billion dollars in commercial truck premiums—we’re in the market to stay.”

    About the Author

    Kevin Jones

    Editor

    Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.

    Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.

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