What is “Reefer Breakdown”?

 

What is reefer breakdown?

Reefer breakdown is a trucking industry term that describes an event when the refrigerated unit on a “reefer trailer” breaks down. 

What causes that breakdown can be a number of different things including lack of fuel, electrical issues, low oil, a mechanical issue with the unit, etc. 

Be sure to check what is covered under your cargo insurance policy to avoid any surprises with this key coverage!

The key is for truckers and fleet owners to understand what exactly is covered when your cargo insurance company talks about “reefer breakdown” as that can mean a number of different loss events. 

For instance, would you have coverage if the air chute in the trailer is damaged by a forklift driver and it causes the temp in the rear of the reefer trailer to rise above the desired temp? 

To some cargo insurance companies, that may be a covered cause of loss. To others, that wouldn’t be a covered cause of loss because the “breakdown” didn’t actually occur in the electrical unit of the trailer refrigeration system.

Cargo insurance policies can be hard to understand, so be sure to ask your insurance agent this question:

What is considered to be a “reefer breakdown”?

For bonus points (and some blank stares) you could also ask:

What is considered a covered cause of reefer breakdown loss for my cargo insurance policy?   

You may be surprised by the answer! 

There are some good and some not so good cargo insurance policies out there and it can be hard to tell them apart. Just know that each cargo insurance policy can be different (in major ways). Seek the help of a quality insurance agent who can help you uncover these issues.  

 

My Safety Manager is a leading provider of fleet safety and trucking compliance services for fleets of all sizes. Our specialized safety management solutions put expert safety professionals in place to help deliver results—safe drivers out on the road who are staying compliant with FMCSA regulations.

We work with you to create customized solutions that meet your unique needs, taking what’s typically far too much work off your plate so you have more time to grow your business.