Freight moves domestically and across borders every day using various combinations of road, rail, ship, etcetera, but one thing all that freight - and all the providers who have a stake in it - have in common is insurance. On the latest episode of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast, guest Mark Vickers, EVP of International Logistics for Reliance Partners, discusses cargo insurance - including what it is, why it's needed, why coverage depends on the situation and how it's influenced by outside factors.

He particularly spotlights Borderless Coverage, a product he initially came up with to cover valuable freight beyond the U.S. borders and into Mexico and Canada - all with one policy. Mark tells us about the security issues facing cross-border freight and the prior lack of coverage options. He also talks about over the top coverage options for specific scenarios like high value freight or cargo normally not shipped by a particular provider. And he explains why strong insurance can be a differentiator in winning business, even if it means a freight provider's bid is a bit higher.

We also discuss potential tariff impacts on the industry as well as inflation - which not only impacts everyone's bottom line but also makes a difference as to the type of cargo thieves target.

Learn more about Reliance Partners at https://reliancepartners.com/ and look up Mark on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-vickers-a90a6710/ for more from him. Plus, find out about the upcoming 8th Annual Modernization of Cross Border Trade event in Texas here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-modernization-of-cross-border-trade-tickets-1112890809369?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

The new leader of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) already knows the lay of the land, so he's hit the ground running tackling membership priorities. President and CEO Chris Burroughs began leading TIA in November, after his predecessor Anne Reinke took the leadership spot with the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) - see and hear more from her on our previous episode of the Intermodal Logistics Podcast.

But unlike many new CEOs, Chris had already spent more than 13 years with his organization, and he tells us on this edition how that background - including the earlier days of TIA with fewer staff - helped him wear many hats and gave him a broad understanding of how things work. Since taking over leadership, Chris says TIA's continued focusing on a problem that's not going away - fraud, navigating the transition from the Biden to Trump administrations in the process.

He continues to see getting exposure in Washington D.C. as key to helping the association's priorities, which also include nuclear verdicts arising from accidents involving commercial trucks, owner-operator definitions and more. Plus, Chris tells us about TIA's focus on expanding its continuing education offerings - many of which are free to members.

And, we hear about the Capital Ideas Conference, with the 2025 edition taking place in San Antonio this April. Learn more about the TIA at its website, www.tianet.org, where you can also find registration information and more about the conference.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Taking over a new organization is always a challenge, but Anne Reinke is ready to face it head-on when it comes to running the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). Anne joins us on The Intermodal Logistics Podcast about a month into her tenure as IANA President and CEO following four years in the same role with the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA).

She tells us about her background, including how she got into the industry, her love of railroads that started with her time at CSX, and how that helped lead her to IANA. We discuss the challenge of replacing a longtime leader like Joni Casey, who headed up the association for about 27 years, and how she's worked to get the lay of the land by talking with just about all IANA's staff and board members in her first month.

Anne goes over the challenges facing intermodal as it looks to gain market share - with a big one being awareness. She talks about plans to increase marketing efforts as well as raising IANA's advocacy profile in Washington - to get the road and rail mode a seat at the table in transportation discussions.

For more on IANA, visit www.intermodal.org, where you can also register to become a member, access learning resources that are only expected to grow, and find out about the association's upcoming Business Meeting.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more about InTek.