I just wanted to write a quick update about the insurance issue a few post back. I recently spoke with a lawyer friend about the liability issue, and should I get separate insurance. His first comment was that my liability for dispatching is low risk for getting sued. As I am not a broker, my risk is lower, as is my responsibility toward/about the freight. I just dispatch. The truck company has a greater risk, as does the driver. So, being added as additionally insured with my client should help protect me and my company assets.
So for you new dispatch businesses out there, make sure you add this stipulation in your contract that you present to your prospective clients, that your company be named as additionally insured with their insurance company.
Dispatchers, protect your assets, be added as additionally insured.
What is an average percentage you should charge the trucking companies you dispatch for?
The answer to that question will vary. I would suggest that you set a price that you can live with for the services that you are going to provide.
For a dispatcher, these are going to be your regular duties:
- Call brokers, finding freight (using load board contacts)
- Calls to the driver to tell him what loads are available
- Book the loads the drivers wants, passing along the paperwork or instructions to the driver for the pick up. Once the driver picks up the load, (you may decide this is the end of the obligation to the truck company and you are free to bill for the load that is picked up.)
- From that point the regular upkeep of your own paperwork (i.e. filing, billing).
If this is what you do for your clients and they agree that this is all they want, I would say a fair percentage is between 6 and 8 percent per load.
If your client wants you to be more involved, like helping with invoicing for loads that you book for him. You should start at 10% per load.
Don’t try to make all your money off of one truck, but get a fair price for what you do. So, in my opinion set your dispatch fee to charge (client) trucking companies that you dispatch for is between 6 and 10% per load.
We'll take the worry out of booking the load, paperwork,phone calls, and faxes so the owner operator can concentrate on staying loaded, moving, and making money.
leadsonloads/Truck Operations And Dispatch Services 