Goods in transit heists (how to protect your stuff)

A week ago, two trucks carrying goods were looted after the N1 between Touws Rivier and De Doorns was closed due to a community protest. Thankfully, the drivers were not injured in the incident.
Interruptions to the transporting of goods can hamper the running of a business, and fleet owners and operators find themselves looking for solutions to protect both lives and property.
There are ways of minimising the risk of a truck being looted. Here are some tips:
• Avoid high-risk routes: Avoid potential crime hot spots or routes that may require the vehicle to move slowly. In some cases, thieves board the moving vehicles, making it even more dangerous and difficult for drivers to concentrate.
• Avoid unnecessary branding: Delivery vehicles should rather be unbranded to avoid further advertising what is being transported.
• Have the right vehicle insurance cover in place: Get Goods in Transit insurance for complete peace of mind and know that your business will be covered for loss or damage to items being transported by road or from the specified business address.
• Don’t overload! Overloaded vehicles are unsafe, more challenging to handle and are slow. This makes them an easy target for opportunistic criminals when passing through towns or up steep hills.
• Secure your cargo area: Vehicles carrying goods that can easily be looted should have secure cargo areas, preferably in closed and locked bodies.
• Get additional reinforcement: Spikes can be fitted on strategic areas of the vehicle to deter thieves.
Fleet owners and drivers alike need to be aware of the risks, as well as what can be done to minimise them, to protect their stuff, staff and, ultimately, their livelihood.
Get an insurance quote from MiWay insurance today and see how you can save on your insurance premiums for your business every month.
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