When your business needs heavy transport services, you need to pick the right equipment transport company for your needs—one with a good reputation, exquisite customer service, the type of equipment needed to transport your equipment, and a team of drivers you can trust to deliver your items on time, and in excellent shape. To ensure smooth and stress-free transport, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 questions to ask your heavy haul company before transport.
Is Your Company a Carrier or Broker?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cautions consumers not to trust businesses that are not specific about whether they are brokers or carriers. It is vital to know if the heavy haul firm is a carrier or a broker since this distinction might impact its level of accountability and control over the transport of your equipment.
If the company is a carrier, it will be in charge of the actual shipping of your products and will likely possess the necessary hauling equipment. That puts the company squarely in control of the shipment and entirely responsible for any mishaps that may occur along the way.
If the company is a broker, they will be a go-between for you and the carrier. The broker coordinates the shipment but does not transport the goods. In most cases, the broker does not provide the hauling equipment but instead contracts with carriers to do so. The carrier will primarily be responsible for the shipment, while the broker’s role may be limited to coordinating and keeping you updated.
Is Your Company Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Ensuring that a heavy haul transport company is licensed, bonded, and insured is essential for several reasons. Being licensed means that an equipment transport company has proven to the relevant authorities that it is in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, earning it the right to transport equipment and other types of goods.
A bonded equipment transport company has acquired a surety bond. When a third party contracts a business, a surety bond protects that party against financial loss in the event of the hired firm’s inability to execute the job as agreed upon, damage to property, theft, or other failures.
There is always a chance that the safety of your cargo might be jeopardized while being transported, and equipment transport insurance is there to safeguard you financially if this happens.
Ensuring that a shipping company is licensed, bonded, and insured helps protect your interests, reduces financial risks, and ensures that the company will meet its obligations and responsibilities.
How Do You Determine the Best Driver to Work with?
Asking an equipment transport company how it determines the best drivers to work with can provide valuable insight into its commitment to safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. Given that they will be in charge of delivering your products, you should check that the drivers are reliable, competent, and have a clean driving record.
For a successful transport business, having reliable drivers is crucial. If the firm you use to ship your products screens its drivers for excellent communication skills and professionalism, you can expect a more positive experience and worry-free delivery of your items.
Do You Provide Free Shipping Quotes?
The majority of equipment transport businesses provide free shipping quotes on their websites. If they don’t, this can be a major warning sign that you should look elsewhere for a solution. Offering free shipping quotes reassures customers that a company is transparent about price and won’t surprise them with hidden fees later on.
Do You Provide Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles?
When looking for a transport company, ensure you inquire whether it provides pilot cars or escort vehicles. These vehicles are crucial to the security of oversize and overweight shipments. Pilot cars accompany and lead overweight shipments through areas where clearance or weight limits may be in place, such as at crossroads and bridges.
Inquiring whether or not a transport business provides escort vehicles is an excellent way to ensure your shipment will be delivered safely and that all required care will be taken to avoid any accidents or damage to the load, other road users, or the infrastructure.
Key Takeaway
Asking your heavy haul company the five questions above before transport will give you a better understanding of its capabilities and ensure that your shipment will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism. By partnering with a reliable and experienced heavy haul company, you can have peace of mind knowing that your shipment will be transported safely and efficiently.
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