Embedded Protection Industry Blog

Freight Claims Protection: What It Is & Why You Need It

Written by Jessica Holcomb | Nov 22, 2023 2:15:00 PM

If you're involved in the world of logistics, particularly as a freight broker or third-party logistics provider (3PL), you're already familiar with the crucial role you play in connecting shippers and carriers. Your core mission is to ensure the seamless and timely movement of goods, all while managing logistics, paperwork, and risk factors.

As a Freight Broker or 3PL, you have a lot on your plate. Your customers rely on you to provide reliable connections to carriers, negotiate pricing, manage logistics coordination, handle documentation and paperwork, and ensure effective communication. You are also the first point of contact when things go wrong, yet, more often than not, you have little control over the situation. The claims process can be tedious, lengthy, and frustrating for everyone involved.

But now, we have a solution for you.

Introducing Freight Claims Protection, which is a type of Assurance. We will walk you through what it is, how it works, and why your business should consider integrating it into your operations. Plus, we'll introduce you to what Tint, our cutting-edge embedded protection platform, can do to take your freight brokerage to the next level.

The Rise of Digital Freight Brokers

In this era of advanced technology, a new player has emerged in the field of freight brokerage—the digital freight broker. This innovative breed of brokers leverages cutting-edge technology and digital platforms to enhance the process of matching shippers with carriers for transporting goods. Unlike traditional brokers, digital freight brokers embrace web-based platforms, automation, and real-time data to streamline and improve the freight brokerage process.

Here are some key characteristics of digital freight brokers:

The recent news of Convoy closing its operations, affecting around 1,000 staff, is a stark reminder that the industry is still navigating growing pains and contending with current market volatility. This shift presents genuine challenges that demand innovative solutions. In times like these, features like Freight Claims Coverage step in to offer a safety net, mitigating potential risks and helping the industry overcome its current challenges.

Digital freight brokers have revolutionized logistics by leveraging technology to improve transparency, efficiency, and convenience. Tint's protection experts offer insights and guidance tailored to your unique circumstances, which can help you better understand these dynamics and explore strategies for navigating the changing landscape ahead.

Core Challenges and the Need for Freight Claims Coverage

In our exploration of Freight Claims Coverage, it's crucial to understand the challenges freight brokers face in their operations, whether traditional or digital. One of the significant challenges in the industry is the delay in claims payments when issues arise during transportation. Shippers often experience cash flow problems due to these delays, affecting their operations and causing dissatisfaction.

Freight brokers must work to remain competitive and provide their shippers with the best service, and this can start with realizing that what makes your business intrinsically risky may also be the key to your solution and unlocking growth.

Adding on Freight Claims Coverage

Freight Claims Coverage, also known as Freight Broker Assurance, is a contractual promise made by the freight broker to its customers, the shippers. This promise guarantees that shippers will experience a superior claims process or be reimbursed for failing to meet agreed-upon claims experience expectations.

Freight Claims Coverage Highlights include:

  • Establishing Sustainable Customer Confidence- The number one tip every freight broker is given for building a successful business is to prioritize relationships. Build trust with your shippers and carriers.Claims protection demonstrates you put your relationships first and are willing to invest in creating positive outcomes 
  • Take Ownership of Your Margins-  While claims protection won’t predict pricing or give you a magic carrier rates guide, it can open the door to consistently higher margins with strategic add-on pricing for shippers

How Does Freight Claims Coverage Work?

This coverage provides protection for the shipper's experience with the freight broker. It ensures that the shipper's expectations are met by reimbursing the shipper for its losses through a process known as "claims protection."

Claims protection comes into play when one of the following situations occurs:

It's important to note that Freight Claims Protection doesn't provide protection for damage to the shipper's property caused by the carrier or for lost or stolen property due to carrier actions. The carrier remains liable for damage to the shipper's goods.

What's Not Covered by Freight Claims Coverage?

Although Freight Claims Coverage plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your freight brokerage, it's crucial to understand that there are specific scenarios where coverage may not apply. It's essential to understand these limitations and be aware of them.  For a more comprehensive understanding and to delve into nuanced details beyond the scope of this article, our dedicated team of protection experts are ready to provide in-depth insights and guidance tailored to your businesses specific needs.

Why Should You Consider Freight Claims Coverage?

As a business owner running your freight brokerage online, you might wonder why you should consider Freight Claims Protection. Here are some compelling reasons:

Meet Tint: Your Embedded Protection Platform

We aren't mind readers, but we do know that, at this point, you are wondering how to implement Freight Claims Coverage into your freight brokerage. This is where Tint, the leading embedded protection platform, comes into the picture. We specialize in providing cutting-edge solutions for freight brokers and 3PLs.

At Tint, we offer a comprehensive protection ecosystem of services and tools to help you optimize your claims protection offering in a way that you just won't find anywhere else. Here's a glimpse of how Tint can empower your business:

Take Action and Secure Your Freight Brokerage

With Freight Claims Protection, the future looks bright with Tint. It's not just an add-on service. Just imagine...you can enhance the protection and experience you provide to your shippers, all while gaining a competitive edge in the industry.

Don't wait to explore the world of Freight Claims Coverage and the advanced solutions that Tint has to offer. Contact one of our protection experts to learn how to implement this cutting-edge protection into your freight brokerage now. 

Your success as a freight broker is just a call away. Contact us today to get started on your journey toward enhanced protection and unparalleled customer satisfaction with your new protection partner, Tint.