Rate is the wrong first question
A rate that is 12 percent below market usually reflects a carrier that will reprice, deprioritize or reroute your freight when capacity tightens. Evaluate the operation first, then compare price among carriers that pass.
Nine questions worth asking
1. What is your cargo insurance limit?
Confirm the coverage amount and that it exceeds your typical load value. Ask for a certificate, not a verbal assurance.
2. Do you serve my lanes directly or through interline partners?
Interlining is normal for remote destinations, but you should know when your freight changes hands.
3. Who is my day-to-day contact?
A named coordinator who knows your account resolves problems in minutes. A general queue takes days.
4. What is your on-time delivery percentage?
A carrier that measures it will tell you. A carrier that does not measure it is telling you something too.
5. How are claims handled and how quickly?
Ask for the process, the average resolution time, and who owns the file.
6. How do you communicate delays?
Proactive notification before the delivery window is missed is the standard. Silence until you call is not.
7. Can you handle my peak season volume?
Q4 and spring surges break weak capacity plans. Ask what happens to your lane in November.
8. What accessorials will I be billed for?
Get tailgate, appointment, detention, storage and residential fees documented upfront.
9. Are rates locked or subject to reprice?
Understand your fuel surcharge mechanism and how long a quoted rate holds.
The bottom line
The best Canadian freight partner is the one whose answers are specific, documented and consistent — before you have given them a single load.