Total purchased freight expense decreased $56.6 million or 18.7% from $303.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $246.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. Purchased freight expense from owner-operators decreased 4.6% from $174.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $166.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 as a result of a 3.2% decrease in owner operator miles driven. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers decreased 37.7% from $128.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $80.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, as a result of lower rates and decreased utilization of third-party capacity providers. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of consolidated revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was generally consistent with the same period in 2019.
The Company’s Specialized Solutions segment’s purchased freight expense decreased 15.8% to $128.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $152.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Purchased freight expense from owner-operators increased 1.8% from $58.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $59.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in the utilization of owner operators. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers decreased 26.5% from $94.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $69.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, as a result of a decrease in utilization of third-party capacity providers. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of Specialized Solutions revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was generally consistent with the same period in 2019.
The Company’s Flatbed Solutions segment’s purchased freight expense decreased 19.0% to $129.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $160.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Purchased freight expense from owner-operators decreased 7.8% to $107.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $116.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as a result of a 4.2% decrease in owner operators’ miles driven. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers decreased 48.6% from $43.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $22.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily as a result of decreased utilization of third-party capacity providers. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of Flatbed Solutions revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was generally consistent with the same period in 2019.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of depreciation for company-owned tractors and trailers and amortization of those financed with finance leases. The primary factors affecting these expense items include the size and age of company-owned tractors and trailers and the cost of new equipment. Amortization of intangible assets is also included in this expense.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $32.1 million, or 39.5%, to $49.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $81.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 as a result of a 10.9% decrease in average tractor count in the Company’s fleet and further reduced by the impact of $97.6 million of impairments recorded in the third quarter of 2019 to reduce asset carrying values to fair value.
The Company’s Specialized Solutions segment’s depreciation and amortization expense decreased $22.5 million, or 42.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 as a result of a 10.3% decrease in average tractor count in the segment’s fleet and further reduced by the impact of $58.6 million of impairments recorded in the third quarter of 2019 to reduce asset carrying values to fair value.
The Company’s Flatbed Solutions segment’s depreciation and amortization expense decreased $10.0 million, or 35.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 as a result of a 12.0% decrease in average tractor count in the segment’s fleet and further reduced by the impact of a $39.0 million of impairments recorded in the third quarter of 2019 to reduce asset carrying values to fair value.
Taxes and Licenses. Operating taxes and licenses expense primarily represents the costs of taxes and licenses associated with the Company’s fleet of equipment and will vary according to the size of its equipment fleet. Taxes and license expense decreased $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Operating taxes and license expense, as a percentage of revenue, was 1.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
Insurance and Claims. Insurance and claims expense consists of insurance premiums and the accruals the Company makes for estimated payments and expenses for claims for bodily injury, property damage, cargo damage and other casualty events. The primary factor affecting the Company’s insurance and claims expense is seasonality (the Company typically experiences higher accident frequency in winter months), the frequency and severity of accidents, trends in the development factors used in its accruals and developments in large, prior-year claims. The frequency of accidents tends to increase with the miles the Company travels. Insurance and claims expense increased 23.9% to $30.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $24.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 due to increases in insurance premiums. Insurance and claims, as a percentage of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was generally consistent with the six months ended June 30, 2019.
Impairment. Impairment charges of $13.4 million were recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2020 related to Aveda’s intangible assets, property and equipment and right-of-use assets.