Carrier Network & Vetting

FreightConnect maintains a network of vetted carriers and automatically scores them. This is our #1 differentiator — you get safe, reliable carriers without manual vetting.

The Carrier Network

When you post a load, we query carriers based on:

• Geographic fit — carriers with recent activity near your route
• Equipment match — only carriers running that equipment type
• Availability — carriers with free capacity on your timeline
• Your preferences — minimum FSC score, insurance status, etc.

We partner with 50+ carriers ranging from small owner-ops to large fleets. All must pass KYC (know-your-carrier) before joining.

Carrier Scoring

Every carrier in our network gets a FreightConnect Score across multiple dimensions:

FSC (Freight Service Class) — 1-100

Based on:

• On-time delivery rate (40%)
• Customer satisfaction (30%)
• Claim history and damage rate (20%)
• Responsiveness and communication (10%)

80+ = Excellent | 60-79 = Good | 40-59 = Average | <40 = Risky

FMCSA Safety Rating

Pulled real-time from the SAFER database:

• Acceptable — no major violations; safe to book
• Conditional — some violations; use with caution
• Unsafe — we block these carriers from your network

Insurance Verification

• Cargo insurance: required, minimum $100K
• General liability: required, minimum $1M
• USDOT certificate: current and active
• MC Number: verified and active

All carrier insurance is verified weekly. If coverage lapses, they're automatically suspended until renewed.

Fraud Risk Score — 0-100

Our vetting agent runs carriers through:

• FMCSA violation history
• Ownership and executive screening (OFAC, sanctions lists)
• Corporate registration verification
• Claims history analysis
• Chargeback frequency on loads booked via FreightConnect

0-30 = Low risk | 31-50 = Standard | 51-100 = High risk (flagged for review)

Setting Carrier Filters

Go to Settings → Carrier Filters to configure defaults:

• Minimum FSC Score — (default: 60) only quote carriers above this
• FMCSA Rating — (default: Acceptable) accept Conditional if you want broader access
• Insurance Required — (default: Yes) always verify current
• Fraud Risk Threshold — (default: 50) block carriers scoring above this
• Hazmat Certified — (default: required if you post hazmat)
• Equipment Types — (default: all) restrict to specific equipment
• Carrier Size — (default: any) prefer large fleets, owner-ops, or specific ranges

These filters apply to all new loads. You can override on a per-load basis before posting.

Viewing Carrier Details

In the quote list, click on a carrier name to see their full profile:

• Recent performance — on-time rate in the last 30/90/365 days
• Load history with you — how many loads they've completed, average margin
• Customer reviews — anonymized feedback from other brokers
• Violation history — any FMCSA violations, dates, and status
• Insurance status — policies, expiry dates, coverage amounts
• Chat — message the carrier directly (e.g., about special instructions)

Blocking & Flagging Carriers

If a carrier fails to deliver, damages freight, or behaves poorly:

1. Go to Carriers → select the carrier
2. Click Report Issue
3. Choose category (late delivery, no-show, damaged freight, etc.)
4. Add details and attach photos if applicable
5. Click Submit

The carrier is automatically flagged for review. If issues accumulate, we may remove them from the network.

Alternatively, you can Blacklist a carrier to prevent them from bidding on your loads ever again. Go to Carriers → Manage Network → click the carrier → Remove from Network.

Approving New Carriers

If a carrier requests to join your FreightConnect network:

1. Go to Carriers → Pending Approval
2. Review their profile (FMCSA rating, FSC if they have history, insurance docs)
3. Click Approve or Reject

Once approved, they're eligible to quote your loads. They must still meet your filter criteria.

Preferred Carriers

Brokers often have relationships with carriers they trust. Set them as Preferred:

1. Go to Carriers → select the carrier
2. Click Mark as Preferred
3. (Optional) Set a discount or rate agreement

Preferred carriers get priority in quote results and you can set standing rate agreements (e.g., $1.50/mile on all loads to Texas).

Carrier KYC Deep Dive

Our vetting agent runs the following checks on each new carrier:

Regulatory

• FMCSA SAFER database query (violations, crashes, inspections)
• DOT number registration verification
• MC number active status check
• Authority type (common carrier, contract, etc.)

Compliance

• Hazmat endorsement status (if applicable)
• IFTA and fuel tax registration
• CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores
• Hours-of-service history (if data available)

Financial & Fraud

• Corporate ownership verification (state records)
• Ownership screening (OFAC, SDN, sanctions lists)
• Tax ID verification
• Chargeback history on FreightConnect platform
• Industry claims databases (if enrolled)

Operational

• Insurance policy verification (third-party confirmation)
• Equipment verification (VIN checks if provided)
• References from other brokers (anonymized)

If any check fails, the carrier is flagged for manual review before network entry.

Carrier Agreements

Some brokers negotiate standing agreements with carriers. FreightConnect supports:

• Rate lock: fixed $/mile rate on all loads to specified regions
• Volume discount: percentage off rate for loads > X per month
• Territory assignment: this carrier is default for loads in these states
• Minimum revenue: broker guarantees minimum loads per month

Set these under Carriers → Agreements. They override filters on a per-carrier basis.

Dispute Resolution

If a carrier fails to deliver and a shipper files a claim, we handle the process:

1. You file a Damage/Non-Delivery Claim in the load details
2. Our claims agent contacts the carrier with photo evidence and documentation
3. Carrier responds (pays, disputes, or negotiates)
4. If unresolved, we escalate to their insurance carrier
5. Settlement comes from their policy (you're not out the money)

FreightConnect mediates but doesn't guarantee payment. Always verify carriers have adequate coverage.

Next Steps

• Rate Negotiation Engine — how AI prices loads and queries carriers
• Settlements — how carrier payments are processed and reconciled
• Monitoring & Alerts — dashboard for tracking carrier performance