How to Choose a Freight Broker: 7 Things to Check

With thousands of freight brokers operating in the US, how do you know who to trust with your freight? Here are the seven things every shipper should check before booking a load.

1. Verify Their FMCSA License

Every legitimate freight broker must hold an active Motor Carrier (MC) number issued by the FMCSA. You can verify any broker at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov in under 60 seconds. If a broker can't give you their MC number immediately, walk away.

IZY Logistics: MC #1615290 | USDOT #4191217 — verify anytime.

2. Confirm They're Bonded

Federal law requires freight brokers to hold a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or trust fund agreement. This bond protects you if the broker fails to pay carriers or mishandles your freight. Ask for proof of bond — a legitimate broker will provide it without hesitation.

3. Ask How They Vet Carriers

This is the most important question. A broker's job is to find you a safe, reliable carrier — but fraud, double-brokering, and cargo theft are real risks in the industry. Ask specifically: What carrier vetting software do you use? Do you verify insurance in real time?

IZY Logistics uses Descartes MyCarrierPortal to verify every carrier's authority, insurance, and safety score before they're approved for a load.

4. Check Their Carrier Network Size

A broker with a small, stale carrier list will struggle to find trucks when capacity is tight — and they'll pass the problem cost to you. Ask how many active carriers they work with and what their average time-to-cover is on a load.

5. Understand Their Pricing Model

Some brokers inflate spot rates significantly without disclosing their margin. Ask for transparent pricing: what is the carrier rate, and what is the broker fee? Reputable brokers will explain their pricing clearly. Watch for "all-in" quotes that hide large margins.

6. Look at Their Communication Speed

Freight moves fast. If a broker takes hours to respond to a quote request, they'll take hours to respond when your truck doesn't show up. Test their response time before your first load — it tells you everything about how they'll operate when things go wrong.

7. Ask About Their Claims Process

Damage happens. How a broker handles a claim tells you more about them than anything else. Ask: Do you assist with cargo claims? What documentation do you provide at delivery? A good broker documents every load and stays in the room when claims need to be filed.

The Bottom Line

A great freight broker saves you money, protects your freight, and solves problems before you even know they exist. A bad one disappears when things go sideways. Do your homework — the 10 minutes you spend vetting a broker is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions