Freight Brokers

Find top-tier resources for freight brokers. Navigate FMCSA requirements, grow your business, and ensure compliance with ease.

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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October 16, 2025
October 16, 2025
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FMCSA Updates Carriers and Brokers Need to Know in 2025 (Updated Oct. 2025)

*This blog has been updated as of October 16, 2025 to include important corrections and relevant updates announced by the FMCSA for all freight professionals. Use this link to see the revised sections with October’s announcements. This year is shaping up to be one of the most significant years for the U.S. trucking industry in the past decade. Fleet owners, safety managers, and drivers are about to experience two major regulatory shifts that will reshape how safety and compliance are managed across the country.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in the process of overhauling its Safety Measurement System (SMS). At the same time, several new federal trucking regulations are set to take effect in the coming months and years. Carriers and brokers must understand these changes, including their timelines, impacts, and how to stay compliant.  This guide breaks down both the expected SMS changes and the latest […]
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July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025
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Law Enforcement to Target Commercial Vehicles During CVSA’s Operation Safe Drivers Week

Understanding Operation Safe Driver Week 2025 Each July, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) rolls out its highly anticipated Operation Safe Driver Week. It’s not just another annual campaign. It’s a strategic, nationwide enforcement initiative targeting risky driving behaviors by all drivers (commercial and passenger vehicles alike). Backed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this operation is designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. For 2025, the CVSA is zeroing in on two behaviors: reckless driving and careless driving. Truckers, fleet managers, and owner-operators should expect increased roadside inspections, heightened enforcement presence on major freight corridors, and a laser focus on unsafe driving habits. Why This Week Matters to Commercial Drivers Commercial vehicle drivers are already held to higher standards on the road. During Safe Driver Week, those standards are put to the test. Law enforcement officers across North America will be watching […]
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June 23, 2025
June 23, 2025
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Understanding Transportation Insurance for Freight Brokers

Freight brokers have an important role in connecting shippers and carriers. Proper transportation insurance coverage is critical for a broker’s success: carrying the right transportation insurance ensures compliance and protects the freight broker’s business, clients, and carriers from expensive liabilities.  Without the right coverage, there is a higher risk of major financial losses from denied claims.  Why Insurance Matters for Freight Brokers Unlike carriers, brokers don’t physically handle freight, but they still face liability if something goes wrong. If a carrier’s insurance denies a claim due to negligence, inadequate coverage, or insolvency, the broker could be held financially responsible. That’s why understanding different types of insurance, coverage limits, and risk management strategies is non-negotiable. Key Types of Transportation Insurance How Freight Brokers Can Mitigate Risk Verify Carrier Coverage  To protect their business from costly claims, freight brokers must take a proactive approach to risk management. The first line of defense […]
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April 10, 2025
freight motor carrier truck
April 10, 2025
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How to Vet Motor Carriers to Ensure Success

Selecting the right motor carrier is essential for ensuring safe, timely, and reliable transportation of goods. Without proper vetting, businesses risk delays, damaged cargo, legal liabilities, and financial losses. By thoroughly evaluating a carrier’s safety record, insurance coverage, compliance status, and reputation, shippers can make informed decisions and build a stronger, more secure supply chain. Understanding Carrier Vetting When it comes to transporting goods efficiently and safely, selecting the right motor carrier is crucial. Carrier vetting is the process of thoroughly evaluating a transportation provider to ensure they meet legal, safety, and performance standards. This step is essential to minimizing risks, preventing delays, and safeguarding your shipments. What Does It Mean to Vet a Motor Carrier? Vetting a motor carrier involves a comprehensive review of their qualifications, history, and compliance with industry regulations. It goes beyond just choosing a trucking company based on availability or price, it requires a detailed […]
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February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
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Understanding the Differences Between Freight Forwarders and Freight Brokers

In today’s complex logistics landscape, understanding the difference between freight brokers and freight forwarders is crucial for anyone involved in the shipping industry. At its core, a freight broker serves as an intermediary between shippers and carriers, facilitating the connection and negotiation of shipping contracts. On the other hand, a freight forwarder takes a more comprehensive role, overseeing and arranging the entire shipping process. What are Freight Brokers? Explaining the Role of a Freight Broker We focus on the essential roles of freight brokers and freight forwarders in the logistics sector. In this comprehensive guide, we aim to clarify the intricacies of the role of a broker and freight forwarder in supply chain management and As seasoned providers of transportation surety bonds, our objective is to shed light on these crucial roles, aiding your navigation through the complexities of shipping and transportation. We will also briefly touch upon the role […]
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December 13, 2022
December 13, 2022
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Distinguishing Brokers or Bonafide Agents

Going into 2023, dispatchers will have more guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration about whether they could or should refer to themselves as brokers or bona fide agents. This topic and these definitions have been murky over the last few years, which is why the agency has tried to clarify matters as well as seek public comment from members of the industry about what they think. Interim Guidance Published in the Federal Register In late November, the FMCSA published interim guidance in the Federal Register which fills in some, but not all, of the current gray areas related to broker-bonding and similar regulations in the industry. Additional guidance is expected next year, based on feedback from the November updates. The agency has been collecting comments throughout 2022 and will continue to accept them until Jan. 17th. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts The involvement from the agency on this […]
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December 30, 2020
December 30, 2020
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The Basics of Planning Still Apply During a Pandemic

The end of one year and the start of the next is always a good time to take stock of where you’re at. It’s particularly important coming out of the year that we’ve just been through and in preparing for economic uncertainty that still may be ahead. That’s as true for businesses in any sector – including the rapidly-evolving transportation industry – as it is for people. Perhaps it’s time to elevate your company’s planning for 2021 with a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new when it comes to goal-setting. In the eyes of many, planning has only become more important in recent years. That’s partly because so many industries are changing so quickly and not enough of the companies within certain industries are keeping their eyes on the early adopters and change agents. There’s no better year for your company to pay some […]
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August 3, 2020
August 3, 2020
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Getting Transportation Insurance for Freight Brokers

The One Stop Shop at PFA continues to expand with easier ways to obtain quotes and more insurance offerings. Freight Broker Insurance Coverage Whether you are a new Freight Broker in need of insurance coverage to protect your brokerage or a current client needing additional coverage to satisfy new requirements on your expanding operations, you can now access the PFA insurance application on our website. This application helps guide you through the information needed for the special freight broker coverage lines of Contingent Cargo, Contingent Auto Liability, General Liability, and Professional Liability (aka: Errors & Omissions). PFA Truck Insurance We are also pleased to announce that due to overwhelming demand, PFA has expanded into offering truck insurance! We have a program that is favorable to smaller and newer carrier operations and is currently available in seven states (AL, AZ, GA, IL, NC, SC, TX). While we await additional states to […]
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March 31, 2020
March 31, 2020
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Ensuring Your Success – Spotlight on Shipper’s Interest

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And there’s no question that the going is tough as Americans in all sectors and from all walks of life join together in the national and global fight against COVID-19. Network of Critical Shipments Despite the extreme adversity, today is an opportune time to be part of the network of critical shipments that are needed in our nation. This may mean you are suddenly facing new shippers, possibly higher cargo limits, commodities that are not common to you, and possibly a growing number of new motor carriers to deliver for you. Shipper’s Interest Cargo In the midst of all of this, we suggest that Shipper’s Interest cargo can help you with some peace of mind. Since the coverage limit is determined per load, you don’t have concerns of the trucker having adequate limits and acceptable deductibles. Shippers Interest is a quality […]
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