Are you trying to rereinvent the wheel? The only bad part is feeling rushed to read a lengthy contract if time is of the essence. Fax, email whatever works can be accomplished no problem from the cab of a truck.
I don't think necessarily "rereinventing" the wheel. I just have observed the following:
- Carrier Setup Packet PDF Sent to Carrier (E-mail)
- Carrier Setup Packet PDF Printed and completed by hand (Faxed or Scanned E-mail back)
- Carrier Setup Packet reviewed by broker ensuring all fields have been completed
- Contact carrier about missing fields (initials, zip code, etc.)
- Carrier Setup Packet sent back (E-mail/Fax)
- Carrier Setup Packet reviewed by broker ensuring all fields have been completed
- Carrier Setup Packet sent back (E-mail/Fax)
- Contact carrier about document missing page 6 (Phone)
- Carrier Setup Packet sent back (E-mail/Fax)
- Carrier Setup Packet reviewed by broker
- Contact carrier about document only including page 6, but legally must be in a single document
- Carrier Setup Packet sent back (E-mail/Fax)
- Carrier Setup Packet reviewed by broker
- Contact carrier about missing authority and insurance documents
- Carrier acquires and sends missing documents
The average number of contacts between a broker/rep and carrier regarding the Carrier Setup Packet is 6.
The average time to receive a Carrier Setup Packet entirely completed is 6 hours.
The maximum time to receive a Carrier Setup Packet entirely completed is 3-4 days.
From my perspective these are all struggles and opportunities to streamline the process and simplify it for both carriers and brokers. I think the online portal is the best solution for that and would reduce the number of faxes, manual audits, phone calls, e-mails, and overall management of the process.
There is a cost associated with carrier's time, carrier's frustration, broker's time, and faxes. If we have an opportunity to reduce those costs then I would like to take advantage of it.