When your business needs heavy-duty transportation services, you need to choose the right equipment transportation company for your needs: one with a good reputation, excellent customer service, the type of equipment needed to transport your team and a team of drivers you trust. Deliver your items on time and in excellent condition. To ensure a smooth and stress-free haul, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 questions to ask your heavy haulage company before shipping.
Is your company a carrier or broker?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns consumers not to trust companies that are not specific about whether they are brokers or carriers. It is vital to know whether the heavy transport company is a carrier or a broker, as this distinction can affect their level of responsibility and control over the transport of your equipment.
If the company is a carrier, they will handle the actual shipping of your products and will likely have the necessary transportation equipment. This puts the company in full control of the shipment and fully responsible for any mishaps that may occur along the way.
If the company is a broker, it will act as an intermediary between you and the carrier. The broker coordinates the shipment but does not transport the goods. In most cases, the broker does not provide the transportation equipment, but instead contracts with carriers to do so. The carrier will be primarily responsible for the shipment, while the role of the broker may be limited to coordinating and keeping you updated.
Is your company licensed, bonded and insured?
Ensuring that a heavy haulage company is licensed, bonded and insured is essential for a number of reasons. Being licensed means that an equipment transport company has demonstrated to the relevant authorities that it complies with applicable laws and regulations, granting it the right to transport equipment and other types of goods.
A warranty equipment transport company has purchased a bond. When a third party contracts a business, a bond protects it from financial loss in the event of the contracted company’s inability to perform the work as agreed, property damage, theft or other errors.
There is always the possibility that the safety of your cargo will be compromised during transport, and equipment transport insurance is there to protect you financially if this happens.
Ensuring that a shipping company is licensed, bonded and insured helps protect your interests, reduces financial risks and ensures that the company fulfills its obligations and responsibilities.
How do you determine the best controller to work with?
Asking a trucking company how it determines the best drivers to work with can provide valuable insight into its commitment to safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. Since they will be responsible for delivering your products, you need to check that the drivers are reliable, competent and have a clean driving record.
For a successful transportation business, having reliable drivers is crucial. If the company you use to ship your products screens its drivers for excellent communication skills and professionalism, you can expect a more positive experience and worry-free delivery of your items.
Do you provide free shipping quotes?
Most equipment shipping companies offer free shipping quotes on their websites. If they don’t, it can be an important warning sign that you should look elsewhere for a solution. Offering free shipping quotes assures customers that a company is transparent about pricing and won’t surprise them with hidden fees later.
Do you provide pilot cars or escort vehicles?
When looking for a transportation company, be sure to check if they offer pilot cars or escort vehicles. These vehicles are crucial to the safety of oversized and overweight shipments. Pilot cars accompany and drive overweight shipments through areas where clearance or weight limits exist, such as road crossings and bridges.
Inquiring whether or not a shipping company offers escort vehicles is an excellent way to ensure that your shipment will be delivered safely and that all necessary care will be taken to avoid accidents or damage to the cargo, to other road users or the infrastructure.
Key to take away
Asking the above five questions of your freight company before shipping will give you a better understanding of their capabilities and ensure that your shipment will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism. By partnering with a reliable and experienced trucking company, you can have peace of mind knowing that your shipment will be transported safely and efficiently.
