Shipper reps lambaste liability: Attorney Augello says FMCSA plan is misguided, eliminating BMC-32 would cost shippers dearly.(Government & Regulation)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)

Attorneys representing shippers are gearing up to fight a proposal that would end mandatory minimum insurance coverage for truckers, arguing that the only thing certain about potential savings is that they will come at the expense of the nation's retailers and manufacturers. Members of the Freight Transportation Consultants Association say the timing of the change leaves shippers particularly vulnerable because of the dominant position motor carriers hold in contract negotiations.

"As a consequence of the equipment and driver shortages, as well as increases in insurance premiums, the shipper community is currently in no position to dictate to carriers the amount and …