A Meaningful Step Forward: Recognizing Bridgecrest’s Fuel Surcharge Initiative

In today’s economic environment; certainty is often difficult to find. While recent developments overseas have brought optimism regarding global energy markets and crude oil prices have trended downward, fuel costs at the pump have remained persistently high. What began earlier this year as a regional concern quickly evolved into a national challenge affecting repossession agencies nationwide.

For the past six months, industry leaders, lenders, and recovery professionals have worked collaboratively to advocate for a fuel surcharge program that would provide meaningful relief to agents facing rising operating costs. Throughout those discussions, we recognized that implementing a surcharge is not as simple as flipping a switch. We also acknowledged concerns stemming from previous fuel surcharge programs that remained in place long after fuel prices returned to normal levels.

As a result, many in the industry advocated for a more sustainable solution, one tied to an objective, measurable fuel-cost metric. The goal was straightforward: create a contractual trigger that automatically activates when fuel costs exceed a predetermined threshold and automatically deactivates when costs return to normal levels.

Such a structure provides agencies with something our industry has sought for years: predictability. By building the fuel surcharge directly into the agreement, agents gain confidence that relief will be available when operating costs rise, without the need for repeated negotiations or uncertainty about future adjustments.

This week, Bridgecrest has taken an important step in that direction.

While we greatly appreciate the efforts of many lenders and forwarding companies that have implemented fuel surcharges in various forms, Bridgecrest’s approach represents a meaningful advancement for the recovery industry. By establishing a clear, objective, and contractual mechanism tied to fuel costs, they have created a model that balances the interests of lenders and service providers alike.

The ARA commends the entire team at Bridgecrest for their willingness to listen, collaborate, and act. Their leadership demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a healthy and sustainable recovery network during periods of economic uncertainty.

We hope this initiative serves as a blueprint for other lenders and forwarding companies to consider as our industry continues to navigate fluctuating operating costs. Predictable, transparent solutions benefit all stakeholders and help ensure professional recovery services remain available, reliable, and sustainable for years to come.

Thank you, Bridgecrest, for taking this meaningful step forward.

Todd Case | President
American Recovery Association

About the American Recovery Association (ARA)
The American Recovery Association is the world’s largest association dedicated to the advancement and professional development of the recovery and remarketing industry. ARA provides compliance support, education, and advocacy for hundreds of recovery professionals nationwide. ARA is the founder and host of the annual three-day North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) — the largest repossession conference in the industry. For more information, go to repo.org or call (972) 755-4755.