4-minute read
If you run a pest control company, chances are you’ve spent more time thinking about your trucks than your own car. And why wouldn’t you? Those vehicles aren’t just a way to get from job to job — they’re mobile offices, rolling billboards, and, occasionally, snack storage units for the tech who swears he’ll clean it out tomorrow.
But there’s one thing that’s making fleet management more of a headache than ever: commercial auto insurance. It’s not just going up — it’s skyrocketing. Fewer carriers want to write these policies, which means higher rates, stricter underwriting, and a general sense that someone, somewhere, is laughing while they approve your latest renewal.
You can’t run a pest control business without your fleet. But you can take steps to keep pest control fleet insurance costs from stinging you harder than a nest full of angry hornets.
1. Driver Training: Because ‘Pretty Good’ Isn’t Good Enough
Look, we all know the secret of driving: everyone thinks they’re a good driver. But the truth is, your team is out there navigating traffic, tight schedules, and the occasional unhinged motorist in a way that makes risk managers sweat through their dress shirts.
A formal driver training program isn’t just about making sure your employees know how to parallel park a company truck without taking out a mailbox. It’s about reducing accidents, avoiding claims, and showing insurance carriers that you’re serious about safety. Fewer incidents? Lower premiums. And maybe —just maybe — fewer coffee spills when your guy in the field realizes he took the last turn a little too fast.
2. Telematics: Big Brother or Just Common Sense?
Yes, we know. No one likes the idea of being monitored while they drive. But telematics isn’t about catching someone doing 58 in a 55. It’s about collecting real data that helps you reduce risk. Hard braking, rapid acceleration, distracted driving — these are all things that increase the likelihood of a claim. And the more claims you have, the more your insurance costs climb.
Carriers love telematics. Why? Because it gives them proof that you’re taking risk management seriously. Some will even offer discounts for businesses that use it. Plus, you’ll have cold, hard data to show that Jerry from Route 3 really is the reason for all those brake jobs.
3. Fleet Maintenance: Because No One Loves an Old, Beaten-Up Truck
We get it – buying new vehicles is expensive. But running your fleet into the ground is even worse. Poorly maintained vehicles are not only a safety hazard, but they also make you look bad. No one wants to see a pest control truck roll up to their house looking like it just survived a demolition derby.
Regular maintenance checks, scheduled oil changes, and making sure your brakes don’t sound like a horror movie soundtrack can go a long way in preventing accidents. And fewer breakdowns mean fewer roadside calls that end with an insurance adjuster sighing into their phone.
4. Hiring the Right Drivers (and Saying No When You Need To)
It’s hard enough to find good people for any job right now. But hiring the wrong driver? That’s a fast track to higher pest control fleet insurance rates. If someone has a history of accidents, violations, or just bad decisions, they’re going to drive up your premiums.
That’s why background checks and motor vehicle reports (MVRs) are essential. Some companies even have probationary periods for new hires to make sure they’re not, you know, the kind of person who thinks stop signs are a suggestion.
5. Working With an Insurance Advisor Who Knows This Game
Insurance is complicated. Commercial auto insurance is really complicated. And pest control businesses are in a unique spot — your vehicles are carrying chemicals, equipment, and employees into all sorts of environments, which means you need a policy that actually fits what you do.
A good insurance advisor (hi, that’s us) can help you navigate the shrinking commercial auto market, negotiate better terms, and structure your coverage so you’re not overpaying. Because while you can’t control the entire insurance market, you can make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.
The Only Thing That Should Be Sky-High Are Your Billboards
Running a pest control fleet isn’t getting any cheaper, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept sky-high insurance rates as a fact of life. Training, telematics, hiring smart, and keeping your fleet in good shape — these are all things that keep carriers happy, costs manageable, and your business rolling.
Want to make sure you’re doing everything you can? Reach out. We’re helping pest control companies across the country swat down their insurance costs. (Yes, we went there.)
The Mahoney Group, based in Mesa, Ariz., is one of the largest independent insurance and employee benefits brokerages in the U.S. For more information, visit our website or call 877-440-3304.
This article is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.