Plan Smarter, Not Harder

Avoid Costly PEAK Season Mistakes as a Year-One DSP

For most new DSPs, PEAK season feels like a sprint. Volume surges, routes multiply, and everyone’s focused on just getting packages out the door. But for a first-year DSP, how you plan and execute during PEAK can shape your business far beyond the holidays.

At GRYPHON, we’ve seen it time and again — a rough PEAK can turn into higher loss ratios, costly claims, and steeper insurance renewals that hit your bottom line long after December.

Here’s why proper planning matters — and how to get ahead of it.

1. A rushed PEAK plan creates avoidable risk

When routes double overnight, you’re often forced to hire fast and train even faster. But that’s when the cracks start to show:

• Drivers who aren’t properly onboarded or safety screened

• Temporary staff who don’t understand your standards

• Supervisors stretched too thin to reinforce safe habits

The result? More incidents, more vehicle damage, more injuries. And those losses don’t just disappear — they drive your insurance premiums up next year.

2. Every claim has a long tail

Insurance doesn’t just look at one bad month; it looks at your entire history. A handful of claims during PEAK can spike your loss ratio and make renewal time much harder (and more expensive).

In year one, when you’re still establishing your risk profile, that’s especially dangerous. One poor PEAK can set a costly pattern that takes years to correct.

3. Plan now to protect later

The DSPs who thrive during PEAK don’t just “get through it” — they plan for it months ahead.

• Hire early. Build a bench of trained drivers before volume surges.

• Double down on safety refreshers. Make defensive driving, proper backing, and yard safety non-negotiable.

• Use data. Track incidents weekly and address trends immediately.

• Set clear expectations. Communicate that speed never outweighs safety.

A well-prepared operation means fewer surprises, fewer claims, and a smoother path to renewal.

4. Partner with experts who’ve been there

At Gryphon, we understand PEAK isn’t just about performance — it’s about protection. From onboarding and driver monitoring to loss analysis and safety training, we help DSPs control risk before it controls them.

Because when you manage safety and planning right, PEAK isn’t a liability — it’s an opportunity to prove your operation runs strong, even under pressure.

Bottom line: Year-one DSPs who plan properly for PEAK don’t just protect packages — they protect their margins, their reputation, and their future insurability.

Remember: Take control of your risk — and be the guardian of your business’s longevity.