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The 12 most important questions to ask any freight broker before handing over a load. Protect your freight and avoid costly mistakes with these simple checks.
Most shippers hire freight brokers without asking a single qualifying question. Then they're surprised when a carrier cancels last minute, freight arrives damaged, or they can't get a straight answer about where their load is. These 12 questions take 5 minutes and separate legitimate brokers from everyone else.
1. What is your MC number? (Verify it at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov — it should be ACTIVE.) 2. How long have you been operating as a broker? 3. Do you carry a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund? 4. Are you a member of TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association)?
5. How do you vet the carriers you use? What specifically do you check? 6. Do you use your own carrier network or primarily load boards? 7. What happens if the carrier cancels the day of pickup? 8. How do you monitor load progress after pickup — phone check calls, ELD tracking, or GPS?
9. Is the rate you quoted all-in, or are there additional fuel surcharges, accessorials, or fees? 10. What are your payment terms, and do you require a credit application before the first load?
11. How do you handle freight claims — do you represent the shipper or the carrier in a dispute? 12. What is your average time to resolve a freight damage claim?
A legitimate broker answers all 12 confidently. They give you their MC number without hesitation. They describe a specific carrier vetting process (not 'we check everything'). They explain their claims process step by step. They confirm all-in pricing. Any broker who deflects, gives vague answers, or pressures you to book before asking questions is a red flag.
MC #1615290 (active, verify at FMCSA). $75,000 surety bond on file. We use dedicated equipment specialists, vetted carrier relationships, and load boards with 24-hour vetting. Rates are always all-in. Claims handled within 30 days. Call +1(877)IZY-LOGS and ask us anything.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) with dedicated dry van, reefer, and flatbed specialists, serving shippers across all 48 states. Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds.
Get a Free Quote →12 questions to ask a freight broker before you ship affects how smoothly a shipment moves and how much visibility a shipper has into the process — it's worth understanding before booking.
IZY Logistics is transparent about 12 questions to ask a freight broker before you ship with shippers upfront, before a load is booked, rather than leaving it to be discovered later.
Yes, in some cases. 12 questions to ask a freight broker before you ship can work differently depending on whether you're working with a broker's carrier network or a company's own trucks.
Reach out directly to IZY Logistics — questions about how a shipment will be handled are best answered before booking, not after.
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