Learn how to become licensed as a freight broker, and speak with an Single Source Insurance agent today about purchasing the BMC-84 bond you�ll need to operate as a freight broker.
Who Needs a Freight Broker License?
Technically, freight brokers are registered, not licensed, and the result is an �operating authority,� which is the equivalent of a license. Freight broker operating authorities are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You must obtain your operating authority before you can work as a freight broker anywhere in the United States.
What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process?
There are certain steps you must take before you even sign on to the Unified Registration System (URS) to begin your online application.
- If you will be opening your own freight brokerage firm, you will need to establish a legal business entity (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation) and register it properly with the Indiana Secretary of State and the Indiana Department of Revenue. This is not necessary, of course, if you will be working in a freight brokerage owned by someone else.
- Decide which type of operating authority you will be applying for��Broker of Household Goods� or �Broker of Property (except Household Goods).� You also have the option of applying for both.
- Designate a process agent, a person who will accept legal service on your behalf, in every state where you will maintain an office and/or write contracts. There are blanket process agent companies that have agents in every state who can accept legal service for you. Fill out a single Form BOC-3�(Designation of Process Agents) that lists all of your process agents for submission to FMCSA. A blanket process agent firm can prepare and file a BOC-3 for you.
- Purchase a freight broker bond (Form BMC-94) in the amount of $75,000. You also have the option of setting up a Trust Fund Agreement (Form BMC-85), but most freight brokers prefer not to tie up that much cash.
When you have accomplished all of these steps, you�re ready to complete and submit your application through URS and pay the $300 registration fee. URS will then assign you an MC number (MCN) that is your proof of registration. You should get your operating authority documents in the mail within 10 business days.
Why Is a Freight Broker Surety Bond Required?
There are two main reasons behind the requirement for a freight broker bond:
- It serves as a freight broker�s guarantee to comply with applicable FMCSA regulations.
- It ensures compensation of FMCSA, shippers, carriers, and others who have experienced a financial loss because of the unlawful or unethical business conduct of a freight broker, known in the lingo of surety bonds as the bond�s �principal.�
The two other parties to the legally binding surety bond agreement are FMCSA (the �obligee� requiring the bond), and the company guaranteeing the bond (the bond�s �surety �).� Both the obligee and the surety are indemnified against any legal liability for claims. The legal obligation to pay valid claims rests entirely with the principal.
How Are Freight Broker Bond Claims Paid?
Because the surety has guaranteed the payment of claims, it�s normal practice for the surety to pay a claim initially and be repaid by the principal. If the surety is not repaid, the principal may very well end up the losing defendant in a case brought by the surety and be ordered to repay the surety the claim amount and cover legal fees and court costs as well.
What Does It Cost?
The annual premium for a BMC-84 freight broker bond is a small percentage of the $75,000 bond amount. The surety assigns every bond applicant a premium rate based on the perceived risk of not being repaid for claims paid on the principal�s behalf. The principal�s personal credit score serves as a reliable measure of that risk.
For applicants with good credit, the average premium rate is between two and four percent.� An applicant with poor credit presents a higher risk to the surety and will be assigned a higher premium rate.
Our surety bond professionals will get you the freight broker (BMC-84) bond you need at a competitive rate.
