Uninsured on the Highway, Uninvested in the Industry

I have so many reasons why Memphis is a cool place to live. We have the best food in the world, great music, and great people. But one of the worst things about living here is the cost of car insurance. The average annual cost of full-coverage car insurance in Memphis is $3,460, compared to $2,644 statewide, meaning Memphis drivers pay about $816 more per year, according to NerdWallet and Insurify. The average for the state of Tennessee is $2,308. That is more than $700 higher than the rest of the state! And why is it higher, you may ask? The number one reason is uninsured motorists. And we all know that when drivers without insurance cause wrecks, the costs don’t just disappear. They land on the rest of us who do pay for insurance. Our insurance rates increase to offset the costs caused by uninsured drivers. The more people on the road without insurance, the more the rest of us have to pay. It frustrates me when I think about it, but I can do nothing. I have no way of knowing who’s insured and who isn’t. If I could, I’d avoid uninsured drivers entirely. The same thing applies when you compare NHLA members and non-members but the difference is you can do something about it.

NHLA works hard to create value for the hardwood industry. We fight regulations, promote the benefits of hardwood, provide education, training, and technical standards, and even help bring buyers and sellers together. And you know what? That’s all funded by members. When your company pays dues, you invest in work that benefits the entire industry. The non-members are still benefiting from market development and advocacy. They still rely on the standards that the NHLA maintains. But they are not paying in. You are. And just like with uninsured motorists, the fewer companies paying their share, the more it costs those who do. Dues rise, costs rise, or worse, services get cut. And that’s not good for anybody.

The solution is simple. More members mean a lower cost per member, a stronger industry, and better results. So, when doing business with a supplier, a mill, or a customer who is not an NHLA member, ask them, “Why not?” Please encourage them to join. The more companies that stand together, the better off we all are.

John Hester
Chief Development Officer