Not all brokers are created equal. Some will pay on time and offer fair rates, while others can delay payments or vanish altogether. As a carrier, your ability to vet brokers before accepting loads is critical to your success.
🧾 Why Broker Verification Matters
Accepting a load from the wrong broker can lead to:
Unpaid invoices or long delays
Disputes over damage claims or delivery issues
Difficulty collecting on factoring
Wasted time and resources
Carhaul & Hotshot helps carriers verify broker reliability in real-time.
🛠 Steps to Verify a Broker
- Check FMCSA Registration: Go to the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance portal and enter the broker’s MC number.
Confirm that their operating authority is active
Look for “Broker” under entity type
Check insurance and bond status (minimum $75,000 bond required)
- Run a Credit Check: If you’re using factoring, your factoring company will usually run a broker credit check.
Look for a credit rating or score (A, B, etc.)
Avoid new or unrated brokers unless they pay upfront
- Review Load Board Ratings: On platforms like DAT, Truckstop, or Central Dispatch, check the broker’s reviews and transaction history.
High volume = reliability
Low stars or recent complaints = red flag
- Search Online Reputation: Look for complaints on Google, BBB, Reddit, or TruckersReport forums.
Repeated issues with payment or load cancellations are major red flags
- Ask the Right Questions: Before accepting the load:
When do they pay (30 days, 15 days, quick pay)?
Do they provide rate confirmation in writing?
What are the cargo details and delivery times?
🚫 Broker Red Flags
No MC number or inactive authority
Only uses generic Gmail/Hotmail email
Pressure to move load fast without full paperwork
Asking for unusual documents like “cargo release form” before confirmation
Demands personal driver info before issuing a rate confirmation
✅ How Carhaul & Hotshot Protects You
We work only with vetted, high-credit brokers
We provide credit risk screening and broker lookup tools
Our dispatch team filters out high-risk loads
We integrate with your factoring company to approve brokers
📲 Want to ensure you're always hauling for trustworthy brokers? Contact our dispatch department — we’ll handle vetting while you focus on driving.
