Every day, the transportation system in the United States is responsible for moving around 50 million tons of freight, with a value of more than $53 billion. These statistics highlight the immense importance and value that freight companies have for the national economy.

If you are planning to transport cargo, it’s essential that you partner with a professional and reputable freight company. In this blog post, we will highlight 6 questions that you should ask freight companies before agreeing to partner with them.

These include asking about their level of experience, their location, their customer service, whether or not they can track your cargo, and much more. Let’s get started with this guide to finding the best trucking company for your business’s needs.

1. What Is Your Level of Experience?

One of the very first things you should check when considering a particular freight company is their level of experience and how long they have been in the business. The longer a company has been in business, the more knowledge about the industry they will have built up. It also stands to reason that a well-established company will have a loyal client base who continue to use its services year after year.

For example, here at Morris Trucking Corporation, we are a fourth-generation, family-owned trucking company. We were founded in 1925, meaning we are proudly closing in on a century in business. Safe to say, we have learned a thing or two about transporting freight in the past 98 years!

2. Where Are You Based?

It’s also a good idea to find out where a company is based and what parts of the country they deliver to. Not every freight company will have the ability to meet your company’s transport needs, so it’s important to determine this before making a decision to partner with them.

At Morris Trucking Corporation, we are based in Terre Haute, Indiana—the crossroads of America. We haul dry van freight throughout 48 states and are able to tackle jobs of all shapes and sizes. Our team is able to deliver to a 500 miles radius overnight, highlighting our ability to meet our client’s needs and expectations.

3. What About Your Customer Service?

It’s crucial that you choose a freight company with a strong reputation for delivering outstanding customer service. The reality is that transportation matters can be incredibly complex, and so it’s necessary that a freight company has a team of experienced and knowledgeable customer service experts on hand.

We recommend that you ask a freight company about what communication methods are available if and when you need to get in touch. Here at Morris Trucking Corporation, our goal is to help keep our clients informed on every aspect of their transport needs. We take great pride in offering unrivaled customer service.

4. Can I Track My Freight?

It stands to reason that businesses want to keep tabs on the location and progress of their cargo. Today, an increasing number of freight companies are enabling their clients to track their cargo’s progress in real-time and have an accurate understanding of when it is due to arrive at its final destination.

When speaking to a freight company, we recommend that you enquire about its tracking services and about any automated notifications it uses to keep its clients up to date.

5. What Services Do You Provide?

Not every freight company will provide the specific transportation services that your business requires. Therefore, it is important to first enquire about their specific services and whether or not they will cater to your business’s needs. For example, here at Morris Trucking Corporation, we offer the following services:

  • Truckload carrier (ship to 48 states)
  • Cross docking facility
  • Carrier LTL (less than truckload)
  • Storage trailer rental
  • Hot shot shipments (for small, expedited shipments)

If you are interested in learning more about any of our services, don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our expert and friendly team.

6. Are You Licensed and Bonded?

This is a question that you should ask any business which you are planning to hire, whether that is a local roofing contractor or a national freight company. Being licensed shows that a company has the necessary competence, has the right to conduct business, and meets a set of minimum requirements in order to operate.

A business that is bonded is one that has purchased a surety bonded, which protects the third party that is hiring a business, such as a freight company. It protects clients from things like theft, damage, incomplete work, or other failures from the company.

Here at Morris Trucking Corporation, we are fully licensed and bonded and can show you the necessary documentation to highlight this if you request. We are also proud members of both the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) and the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.

Essential Questions to Ask Freight Companies

The above questions will help you to locate and partner with a reputable and professional freight company near me. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you can before making a decision on freight companies for your business and its transportation needs. That way, you can make an informed decision and find a long-term business partner that benefits your business and allows it to grow.

If you are interested in learning more about freight brokerage and would like to request a quotation, don’t hesitate to contact our team. To get started, simply click here and discuss your transportation needs with a member of our team. We look forward to speaking to you.