Value of SMA Membership
SMA members enjoy a wide array of benefits, many due to their relationship with Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), that translate directly into bottom line savings. From technology, tires and fuel to insurance and legal aid, our endorsed partnerships provide essential products and services at substantial discounts. SMA offers its members exclusive savings on compliance, training, regulatory and other resources to assist in successfully—and safely—running a business.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Exclusive Member Access SMA members enjoy exclusive online access—register for events, purchase compliance products or search for members by name, town or type of business.
Industry Experts and Legislative Representation SMA advances the interests of movers and truckers operating in Texas through regulatory and legislative advocacy at the local, state and national levels. SMA staff has decades of experience in dealing with compliance, regulatory and operational issues—experts are just a phone call away.
Annual Conference SMA presents an annual conference and exposition in different locations throughout Texas. The annual conference offers training, technology seminars, a member tradeshow, and allows participants to take advantage of all education seminars and social activities. The conference offers a unique opportunity for networking with industry peers coupled with outstanding education.
Publications SMA members receive MoverNEWS (enewsletter featuring an executive summary of industry news), annual membership directory, The Bulletin (member magazine) and MOVEAlerts (email updates on urgent and pertinent information).
SMA Foundation The SMA Foundation is a non-profit educational, public relations, research and community service organization that promotes the moving industry throughout Texas. Each year the foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to college students affiliated with SMA member companies. The SMA Foundation is dedicated to building a long-term funding source for our industry’s education programs.
Pinnacle Mover Program The SMA Pinnacle Mover Program was developed to promote and recognize professional competence and adherence to ethical standards by Texas moving companies. To achieve certification, a mover must meet and maintain criteria to ensure high levels of service and consumer protection. Pinnacle Movers are recognized as the best of the best in the moving industry.
Compliance Products Logbooks, inspection reports, accident kits, driver qualification files and much more are available to SMA members at discounted prices.
Consumer Complaint Resolution When SMA receives a complaint from a consumer and the company is an SMA member, staff will give the mover a courtesy call about the complaint (non-member complaints are referred directly to TxDMV). If multiple complaints about a member are received, SMA will review ethics and membership compliance—if found to be continually lacking, SMA membership may be terminated with board approval.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Tariff MAX 4 The Tariff MAX 4 provides maximum rates and charges for the transportation of household goods as defined by the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 643. The tariff, along with updates, may be purchased exclusively from SMA and is available only to SMA members. Max 4 is on file with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles as the lawful rates of SMA member participating carriers.
Moving Forms SMA offers household goods moving forms approved by TxDMV at discounted prices. Generic or customized (with your company information imprinted as required by TxDMV) forms are offered to SMA members. Available forms include: Moving Services Contracts (insurance and valuation); Proposal/Moving Services Contract; Proposal for Service; Inventory; Rights & Responsibilities Brochure; Addendum to Moving Services Contract; Table of Measurements; Additional Services; and Carbonless Reproduction Forms (front is blank with required contract terms and conditions on reverse).
EaseMaker Software The Tariff MAX 4 and all SMA forms are available in electronic format through EaseMaker Software. Ease Maker features single entry data flows, tariff rules and tips built into the software and the ability to estimate a move within minutes! To order, contact SMA.
Education and Certification SMA provides educational workshops and seminars throughout the year to enhance professionalism for its members, both online and in-house. The programs are offered through SMA and American Moving Conference (AMC) of American Trucking Associations (ATA). SMA members are eligible to receive certifications through AMSA including CMC (Certified Movers Consultant), COIC (Certified Office and Industrial Consultant) and CPL (Certified Packer/Loader).
Safety and Maintenance Each year, TXTA presents safety and maintenance conferences. Designed specifically for safety and maintenance professionals, the conferences are some of the largest and highest quality by any state trucking association.
TXTA has partnered with the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI), providing continuing education that can be utilized in obtaining either the TXTA National Motor Transportation Certification, the NATMI Certification or both. In addition, through the partnership, other courses such as HazMat, Regulatory Compliance, Motor Fleet Accident Investigation and more will be offered across the state. These conferences are open to all SMA members.
TXTA Tire Program
Join the TXTA Tire Program! All SMA members are eligible for substantial discounts on tires with credit approval. Purchase BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Cooper Tires, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, or Yokohama from your current dealer and pay members-only prices—up to 30 percent off retail! Purchase Michelin tires at Love’s Travel Stops and receive a $10 per tire rebate—savings in addition to the already discounted tire pricing for those enrolled in TXTA’s National Michelin Account Program. Click here to learn more.
TECHNOLOGY AND FLEET SOLUTIONS
Love’s Fuel Discount SMA members can save 10¢ per gallon off the cash price of diesel fuel at all Love’s Travel Stops by using one of the following cards: Comdata, EFS, T-CHEK, Multi Service, Fleetone, Love’s, Express/Quik Qtch and Wex. Discounts are activated upon completion of the Love’s Fleet Fuel Savings Agreement.
PrePass and PrePass Plus Save time, fuel and money with PrePass and PrePass Plus! SMA members get their first month’s bypasses free when they enroll as a new customer through TXTA. PrePass is the most utilized weigh station bypassing service in North America, with more than 400 operational weigh station sites in 40 states and British Columbia. Texas deploys PrePass at multiple inspection sites. PrePass Plus provides electronic toll payments on over 40 tolled facilities in 22 states, including those operated by TxDOT, North Texas Tolling Authority and Harris County Tolling Authority.
SH 130 Concession Company SH 130 Concession Company operates and maintains the 41-mile southern segments of State Highway 130, the congestion-free alternative to I-35 between San Antonio and Austin. The company is now offering to develop customized rebate programs for SMA members with potential toll savings based on their travel and operations in Central Texas. SH 130 Concession Company has also launched a rewards program–FLY 130–where drivers can earn rewards just for driving on SH 130 South between I-10 and Austin. For a more in-depth overview about the programs SH 130 offers, please visit SH 130's website.
Tivitri Tivitri, a Samsara dealer, helps companies onboard and implement solutions that improve operations, safety and compliance while saving money! Tivitri’s expertise in telematics, dash cams and asset tracking make Tivitri the ideal partner for fleets looking to simplify driver experience and back-office tasks. Their goal is to find a solution and budget fit for you! Ask Tivitri about the Texas companies they have already helped with their technology needs.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Business Financial Group Business Financial Group (BFG) provides corporate services, including human resources consulting, compliance and administration support, payroll and employee benefit program development and maintenance. BFG also provides group retirement and personal financial planning services, to which the following disclosures apply. Non-variable life products, placement services, and risk, benefits and human resources services and consulting are offered exclusively by Business Financial Group and are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. BFG, 500 N Loop 1604 East, Suite 250, San Antonio, TX 78232, www.BusinessFinancialGroup.com.
Drivers Legal Plan® Drivers Legal Plan® recognizes unnecessary traffic convictions have a deep and detrimental effect on their companies’ safety profiles and driver retention records. The concept is simple: make the highest quality legal representation available to the driver force and make it affordable. That makes Drivers Legal Plan® the effective alternative to the insurance/referral agencies that charge drivers substantial and commission-laden premiums, yet deliver inconsistent counsel.
TRUCKGroup Insurance TRUCKGroup is managed by Mondics Insurance Group, Inc. and offers the following: Workers’ Compensation (first dollar and large deductibles and all states); Occupational Accident Insurance (high limits, two or three year benefit periods, first dollar coverage, company and/or independent contractors); Physical Damage (company and/or independent contractor equipment; various deductible options, self-insured retentions); and Non-Trucking Liability (monthly reporting and various limits available).
U.S. Legal Services U.S. Legal Services (USL) is one of the most comprehensive legal benefit plans in the industry. CDL Defender™ covers 100 percent of local attorneys’ fees for all non-criminal moving, non-moving and DOT violations. We help carriers and drivers stay profitable and operational through an 81 percent courtroom success rate of positively adjudicated citations along with an 85 percent success rate of DataQs challenges to correct CSA scores. Our innovative web portal allows motor carriers a proactive tool to monitor fleet behavior with customizable reports, trend reports based on driver behavior and routing to identify additional training needs plus routing preparedness unique to your circumstances. This data is captured on your drivers and the thousands of drivers who use USL. Our experiences allow us to partner with your safety and operations departments so you can avoid pitfalls of what USL knows is on the road ahead.