Identity Fraud

As a transportation industry freight broker, it’s crucial to properly vet your motor carriers. At PFA Transportation Insurance & Surety Services, we have a dedicated Claims Department that has firsthand knowledge of the pitfalls associated with hiring motor carriers without appropriate vetting. This includes claims where carrier lacks proper authority or sufficient insurance. The Importance of Proper Vetting for Freight Brokers Failing to conduct due diligence before tendering a load can expose your business to liabilities that could have been avoided. Negligent hiring or entrustment claims can hold you responsible for damages caused by a carrier you hired. To mitigate these risks, we recommend that freight brokers develop and maintain carrier qualification procedures and document them thoroughly. Steps to Take Before Tendering Freight to a Carrier By following these best practices, you can protect your business from costly liabilities and ensure that you are conducting business with reputable and qualified […]

Vetting your Motor Carriers has never been more important than it is going into 2022. It’s the kind of due diligence that can prevent you from surprises and disappointments.   As we’ve said before, when it comes to appointing Motor Carriers, an important part of your due diligence is to ensure the carriers with whom you contract have the proper FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) authority,  that your Motor Carriers carry the appropriate lines of insurance coverage and that your Motor Carriers have the necessary CSA safety ratings. Without question, this due diligence regarding your Motor Carriers should be one of the most basic and fundamental priorities for your Freight Brokerage business.   Your Motor Carrier should be appropriately licensed, authorized and insured to protect the loads in question.  You can look up the Motor Carrier’s authority, and regulatory insurance requirements, on the FMCSA’s website. This will give you […]

While there are many things for Freight Brokers to consider when contracting with Motor Carriers, one important part of your due diligence is to ensure the carriers with whom you contract have the proper Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) authority. It’s also important that your Motor Carriers carry the appropriate lines of insurance coverage. Without question, this is one of the most basic and fundamental of priorities you may have for your Freight Brokerage business. Your Motor Carrier should be appropriately licensed, authorized and insured to protect the loads in question.  It is essential to call the Motor Carrier’s insurance provider directly to verify the coverage that is listed on the Certificate of Insurance that you are provided. There are many unfortunate instances in the industry when Freight Brokers are provided with a fake certificate from a fraudulent source. The bottom line is that it is your responsibility as a […]