Tennessee Rig Insurance News: TN Trucking Company Closes it’s Doors

J.E.B. Insurance provides rig insurance, fleet insurance and cargo insurance in Tennessee. We work closely with fleet managers, trucking companies and owner-operators. Our blog is a tool for our customers and other folks who need to be in-the-know about TN rig insurance topics.

When we read that Tennessee-based refrigerated transport company closed it’s doors in January 2020, having been in business for nearly seventy years, we were shocked and wanted to learn more. 

Tennessee Freight Company Howard Baer Inc. Has Closed

As reported by Freight Waves, the company’s owner Greg Baer decided to cease operations, just one year shy of their seventieth anniversary, saying “trucking just isn’t worth it anymore.” He cited reasons like the driver shortage (which we’ve blogged about before), scheduling strains, ELD challenges, and the increasing rates of Tennessee rig insurance premiums as his primary motivators to retire. 

  • As of April 2018, Howard Baer Inc had nearly 200 drivers on payroll, according to its last filing with FMCSA.
  • At the time of closure the company was down to around 35 CDL drivers.

Freight Waves (FW) quoted Baer saying “The government has piled on so many regulations on these drivers that most young people don’t want to become truck drivers.” FW noted that his struggles began back in December 2017, with the advent of the new ELD logs. 

Most of Howard Baer Inc’s drivers have moved on to find new employment, but many have retired. A skeleton crew is tidying up the final bits of business, like receivables, and then it’s on to a well-deserved retirement for Mr. Baer, who is looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren.

Tennessee Rig Insurance Quotes 

Rig insurance rates are rising all over the nation due to lawsuits, increased traffic, unsafe driving, the increasing value of big rigs, and the value of other vehicles on the road. The licensed staff at J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC would love to provide you with a free quote for rig insurance in Tennessee. Contact us today!  J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC is also licensed in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina & South Carolina for all you insurance needs.

David Ott

David Ott