Set up time for new carrier

Depends on how motivated they are to move a load usually. I've had carrier setup done in a couple of hours, and a few days. Longest was CHR because of the weekend and a couple typo's on my part.

 

From my own personal experience I say it usually takes about 2-3 hours.

 

Average time for me has been 2 hours. Helps if your insurance agent is on the ball and faxes things quickly for you.

 

the normal for me is about under 45 minutes but the insurance co. I use has us set up with online certificate re-production web page so I can get the certificate in a few seconds..

 

Like fptransport, our insurance broker allows us to self-issue insurance certificates online. We use Bye Insurance in North Carolina. I have gotten so used to being able to generate the certificates instantly that I wouldn't do it any other way. I wonder how many brokers offer this. It is certainly something to look for when selecting insurance brokers. You should consider asking your broker to start offering the service.

I ask brokers to email me their package. I fill it within the computer in Adobe Acrobat with its Text Box feature (NB: that may only be in Acrobat Pro) and then sign it digitally within Acrobat. So for 95% of packets, I never have to print it out and mess with the paper. I keep a W-9 filled out and scanned into the computer so all we have to do is fill out their contract, attach files for the W-9, authority letter and insurance certificate and send it back to the broker in a few minutes. Only a few brokers have demanded that I print out the contract and physically sign it.

 

No more than 30 mins..

While we negotiate a load, I do a quick check to see if they are in our system, if not, I can fax or email a carrier packet, if everything comes back and looks agreeable, I will set you up immediately and start giving you work. No problem.
I like to give smaller outfits a shot, I've dealt with some people with only one truck and a few months in business. Just kept a close eye and if they perform, I like to give them a bonus, which is great because my main goal is to build up relationships based on the frequency of the lanes, mutual respect and honesty.

Oh, the bonus can be an additional $50 to $100

 

It usually only takes about 30-60 minutes to get set up with most brokers. My insurance company also has an online access where I can order certificates directly from their website. I have been in business for quite a few years, so that may also help. Much of it depends on the broker and how quickly they get your information into their computer system. It has taken me a little longer if they have a long contract. I always read any new contract very carefully before I sign it. I have a handful of companies that I do most of my business so I rarely do anything with a new broker unless I can't get something from my contacts and the new broker has something that I want to haul.

 

What insurance do you have? and how much do you pay?