Selecting the Right Transportation Broker for Your Business

Enlisting the help of a broker can be an efficient way to alleviate one of the most time-consuming transportation tasks – finding carriers to cover your lanes. However, not all brokers are created equal. Each has their own network of carriers with unique specialties, their own approach to customer service, and varying lane coverage. 

It’s important to select a broker who truly understands your business and aligns with your needs.

Quality carrier network. The most significant aspect of a quality carrier is their commitment to safety. Talk to potential brokers to better understand how they select their carriers. The best brokers will only work with companies who have a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rating of satisfactory or better. It’s essential to make sure your broker’s carriers meet the minimum liability insurance requirements – some brokers even require carriers to exceed these amounts.

Customer service. If something goes wrong with one of your shipments, or a change needs to be made in the 11th hour, it’s important to work with a broker you can count on. Look for companies that offer 24/7/365 on-call support to ensure safe, on-time arrival of loads.

Diverse solutions. Whether your company needs interstate, intrastate, or international lanes, it’s key to work with a broker who can offer diverse options. So, as your business needs change, you can be confident your coverage requirements are being met.

Brokers who offer access to a variety of modes and specialized equipment can provide you with superior solutions for your specific product and shipment needs. Some of these include:

Modes	Specialized Equipment
Rail/Intermodal	Flatbed
Less-than-Truckload (LTL)	Heavy Haul
LTL Pools	Curtain Side
Truckload (Dry Van and Refrigerated)	Conestoga
Multi-Stop Truckload