Jeff Brown

August 26, 2026
August 26, 2026
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Are Freight Rates Per Mile About to Hit $5? Market Factors Driving the Surge

The North American supply chain is witnessing a structural transformation. For freight brokers, navigating the post-freight-recession market is no longer primarily focused on managing seasonal supply-and-demand swings. It requires navigating a market defined by carrier failures, unprecedented legal liability, and an escalating cost baseline that surviving motor carriers must cover to stay solvent. With spot and contract rates climbing across specialized, temperature-controlled, and high-liability lanes, brokerages are increasingly asking a once-unthinkable question: Are we headed toward $5 per mile as a standard baseline for premium freight? While standard dry van freight on major corridors remains below this threshold, specialized sectors (including refrigerated transport, flatbed or oversized loads, and hazardous materials) are already testing or exceeding $5 per mile in high-risk lanes. For brokers, this rate pressure is not driven by arbitrary carrier markups. Instead, it stems from a convergence of carrier market attrition, massive court verdicts, driver pay floors, and […]
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July 31, 2026
freight motor carrier truck
July 31, 2026
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The Death of the FAAAA Shield: Why the Montgomery v. Caribe Ruling Matters for Freight Brokers

For more than three decades, the freight brokerage industry operated under a powerful legal assumption: if a motor carrier you hired was involved in a catastrophic highway accident, federal law shielded your brokerage from being sued for negligent selection.  Under the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (FAAAA or F4A), state-level laws “related to a price, route, or service” of a broker were preempted. For years, brokers successfully used this defense to dismiss personal injury lawsuits at the earliest stages of litigation. That shield is officially gone. On May 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a unanimous 9-0 decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC.  Written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the landmark ruling established that state-law negligent hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by the F4A. The Court concluded that negligent selection claims fall squarely within the F4A’s “safety exception,” which […]
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June 4, 2026
Header image for freight broker insurance cost article.
June 4, 2026
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Freight Broker Insurance Cost Factors in 2026 | What Impacts Coverage Pricing?

If you are running or launching a brokerage, one of the first questions you will ask is simple: what affects freight broker insurance costs in 2026? The answer is not a flat number. Insurance pricing varies widely based on your operation, risk profile, carrier selection practices, claims history, and the types of freight you move. If you are new to the industry or evaluating your current coverage, it also helps to understand how insurance fits into broader freight risk trends. (link to “The Future of Freight: Trends to Watch in the Year Ahead”) In this guide, we break down the primary factors that influence freight broker insurance costs, including contingent cargo insurance, errors and omissions (E&O), and general liability coverage, along with strategies that can help strengthen your risk profile. Freight Broker Insurance Cost in 2026: What Influences Pricing? Freight broker insurance costs in 2026 vary significantly based on a […]
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May 11, 2026
Surety Bonds versus Insurance: What Does Your Transportation Business Need?
May 11, 2026
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Surety Bonds vs Insurance: What Does Your Transportation Business Need?

Anxiety sweeps through the logistics world as the U.S. enters another government shutdown. Now is the time to apply lessons learned from the previous shutdown in 2025: Companies were faced with serious disruptions: employees facing furloughs, vital shipments grinding to a halt, and administrative chaos looming over every operation. Throughout this uncertainty, it is easy to overlook one critical business safeguard: maintaining continuous freight insurance coverage.
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April 14, 2026
Header image with freight trucks at a warehouse
April 14, 2026
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The Future of Freight: Trends to Watch in the Year Ahead

Anxiety sweeps through the logistics world as the U.S. enters another government shutdown. Now is the time to apply lessons learned from the previous shutdown in 2025: Companies were faced with serious disruptions: employees facing furloughs, vital shipments grinding to a halt, and administrative chaos looming over every operation. Throughout this uncertainty, it is easy to overlook one critical business safeguard: maintaining continuous freight insurance coverage.
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March 10, 2026
Cargo Insurance Policy Documents on a Desk
March 10, 2026
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Navigating Freight Insurance After a Government Shutdown

Anxiety sweeps through the logistics world as the U.S. enters another government shutdown. Now is the time to apply lessons learned from the previous shutdown in 2025: Companies were faced with serious disruptions: employees facing furloughs, vital shipments grinding to a halt, and administrative chaos looming over every operation. Throughout this uncertainty, it is easy to overlook one critical business safeguard: maintaining continuous freight insurance coverage.
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January 23, 2026
Truck driving through flooded area after heavy rainfall.
January 23, 2026
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FEMA STOS Program TSP Registration 2026: Complete Onboarding Guide

The FEMA STOS (Standard Tender of Service) program connects freight brokers and forwarders with vital disaster relief transportation opportunities. If you’re interested in transporting cargo for FEMA in 2026, it’s essential to understand the Transportation Service Provider (TSP) Onboarding process and the STOS Program requirements.  This guide outlines key information about the FEMA STOS Program and TSP Onboarding, including detailed information about eligibility and documentation to help you successfully navigate this year’s registration process. We’ve included helpful tips that can help you avoid delays and onboard more efficiently. [Table of contents – will generate a simple table of contents for this blog so users can skip to helpful sections Intro to FEMA ] Who Can Participate in the FEMA STOS Program? Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) include freight brokers, forwarders, and carriers who partner with FEMA to support emergency response operations. The FEMA Standard Tender of Service program enables TSPs to […]
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December 31, 2025
truck driving on highway hauling oil products
December 31, 2025
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Fuel Tax Bonds, Sales Tax Bonds, and Highway Use Tax Bonds: Who Needs Them?

Tax bonds are important financial guarantees that keep businesses compliant with state and federal tax laws. For companies involved in transportation, logistics, or any regulated industry, these bonds are more than paperwork. They act as crucial tools for compliance and risk management. Whether you distribute fuel, run a retail store, or operate a fleet of trucks, understanding tax bonds is essential for your operation.  This guide explores the three primary bond types you might encounter if you own a transportation business: fuel tax bonds, sales tax bonds, and highway use tax bonds. We will look at who needs them, why they matter, and what can happen if you fail to comply. Understanding Tax Bonds Surety bonds in the context of taxation are agreements that protect government interests. When a business acquires a tax bond, it promises to pay all required taxes and follow applicable laws. If the business fails to […]
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November 25, 2025
November 25, 2025
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How to File a BMC-84 or BMC-85 Claim: A Clear Guide 

Handling Freight Broker Non-Payment as a Carrier or Shipper Once carriers and shippers have met their end of a contract, freight brokers are legally obligated to pay as part of their end of the contract. But what happens if you’ve completed a haul and delivered as promised, and the freight broker refuses payment or suddenly drops off the radar? Carriers and shippers know this scenario too well. The work is done, but the payment is missing, leaving your business in the red and chasing what you rightfully earned. Fortunately, the broker’s BMC-84 Surety Bond or BMC-85 Trust Agreement exists for exactly these situations. These safeguards help the broker meet their financial obligations and ensure carriers and shippers get paid after completing their work. Filing a Claim with PFA Transportation Insurance and Surety Services Filing a claim is the most effective path to seek recovery. At PFA, we go beyond being […]
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October 20, 2025
Guide to ARTRANS performance bonds (formerly known as SDDC)
October 20, 2025
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How to Get Started in Military Freight with ARTRANS Performance Bonds

Why the Military Freight Market Matters The military freight market is one of the most stable and high-volume opportunities in the transportation industry. At the center of this market is the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), formerly known as the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). ARTRANS oversees the global movement of military equipment and supplies by surface transport, managing everything from trucks and rail to port shipments. Benefits of Working with Military Freight  For transportation companies, military freight offers unique advantages. Once in, your company gains access to a consistent, reputable stream of freight opportunities backed by the U.S. government. Maintaining your ARTRANS bond is worth it if your goal is long-term, stable growth. Beyond the financial appeal, hauling military freight builds credibility. Consistent performance with military contracts helps position your company as a serious player in government contracting. What is the ARTRANS Performance Bond? The ARTRANS Performance […]
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