Short term
02 minutes

Risk mitigation is key to business success

Santam Heavy Haulage highlights the critical role of driver wellness, skills training, and risk management in reducing incidents and ensuring fleet operators remain protected and cost-efficient.
Written by
Anton Cornelissen
Published on
November 20, 2025

Keeping a haulage company successful is no easy feat. When one considers fuel price increases and e-tolls, the fraying road network infrastructure and ever increasing risk of hijacking and looting, there is no denying the heavy haulage industry in South Africa is faced with many challenges.

Being exposed to so many pressures, it is crucial that fleet owners effectively manage their risks, including making sure they are adequately insured.

Santam Heavy Haulage, South Africa’s leading heavy commercial vehicle short-term insurer, is committed to providing insurance that is good and proper. The business assists fleet owners with their risk management in order to proactively reduce incidents, thereby lowering their insurance costs in line with their risk profile.

“Addressing driver fatigue and inadequate skills isn’t just about safety, it’s one of the most effective ways for fleet owners to reduce claims and long-term operating costs.”

Anton Cornelissen
Head of Santam Heavy Haulage

Importance of driver wellness and training

Anton Cornelissen, head of Santam Heavy Haulage, points out that the majority of claims are related to accidents that could have been prevented, which is why Santam advocates driver health and wellness.

“Driver fatigue contributes to a large percentage of heavy haulage-related accidents,” says Cornelissen. “It’s imperative that fleet operators comply with legislation and closely monitor the time truck drivers spend behind the steering wheel to ensure they rest sufficiently during travel.” The rising number of inadequately skilled drivers is also a concern for insurers.

“There are specialist driver training programmes to help alleviate this risk.“ Addressing these risks can help fleet owners save money in the long run by reducing the number of claims as a result of driver fatigue and poor driving,” Cornelissen concludes.

Call Santam Heavy Haulage on 011 912 8000 or send an email to quotes.transport@santam.co.za for more information.

Risk mitigation is key to business success

Keeping a haulage company successful is no easy feat. When one considers fuel price increases and e-tolls, the fraying road network infrastructure and ever increasing risk of hijacking and looting, there is no denying the heavy haulage industry in South Africa is faced with many challenges.

Santam is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 3416), a licensed non-life insurer and controlling company for its group companies.

Dashboard mockup