Industry: Logistics services
Company: Fifth Wheel Freight
Employees: 100 

The client 

A leading third-party logistics provider

In today’s just-in-time supply chain, reliably delivering third-party logistics is far more complicated – and this complexity comes with added risk. That’s why shippers turn to Fifth Wheel Freight. 

From flatbed and hazmat to LTL and reefer containers, FWF has earned a reputation for its trusted, reliable service.

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this fast growing third-party logistics provider eases the burden of moving freight from Point A to Point B, contracting customer loads with reputable carrier partners.

Results snapshot 

• Increased client capacity by 5x 
• Instant access to certificates 
• Up to $2M in all-risk coverage for commonly excluded commodities, like alcoholic beverages

The challenge

Limited capacity for high-value and speciality loads

The problem is that “capacity is always an issue” when you’re securing capacity for high-value loads, according to Robert Dodge, Director of Carrier Relations at FWF. “Either there’s too little freight and carriers are fighting over your loads, or there’s too much freight and it’s hard to service your customers.” 

This lack of capacity became a real challenge for FWF in August and September. At that time, the company was moving an increasing volume of high-value alcoholic beverage loads, but only 10 to 15 percent of their carrier base had enough cargo coverage to haul them. 

While capacity got tighter, FWF struggled to service its valued customers. “Our customers were growing” says Dodge, “and our capacity was being limited by carrier insurance limits. We knew we needed a solution to continue servicing their business. We had to be able to use high-quality-of-service carriers with $100,000 cargo policies.”

The solution

Accurately-priced, all-risk freight protection in 40 seconds

FWF needed access to instant, all-risk coverage for high-value and speciality loads – and fast. 

So, like many, Dodge scoured the internet for answers. “I was surprised to find there weren’t as many specializing in this type of coverage as I thought there would be.” 

“Loadsure opened up our capacity by five times, and it’s helping us maintain great relationships with our customers and carrier base.” 

– Robert Dodge, Director of Carrier Relations, FWF

That’s when he came across Loadsure. With our AI-powered platform, Dodge realized he could get instant, accurately-priced cargo insurance quotes, and up to $2M in per-load, all-risk coverage. Our products even cover commonly excluded commodities, like alcoholic beverages.

When he saw the Loadsure demo, Dodge’s confidence and interest grew. “Processing certificates is instantaneous,” he says. “You just type in the address and details of the load, hit buy, and you’ve got the certificate in your email. We researched other solutions, but they didn’t deliver certificates right away. We just felt safer and more secure when we could instantly see the Loadsure certificates.”

“Now, we’re able to move anything, and that’s our goal – we don’t want to turn anything down. We want to service our customers and be there for them.”

– Robert Dodge, Director of Carrier Relations, FWF

The result 

Greater capacity, faster claims and a broader customer base

Bolstered by the Loadsure platform, FWF has been able to open up much-needed capacity to service its customers. 

“Loadsure has been a great solution for us,” says Dodge. “It’s opened up our capacity by five times, and it’s helping us maintain great relationships with our customers and carrier base.”

With fast, simple access to accurately-priced single shipment freight protection, the company can now cover loads in 40 seconds or less – and for up to 80% less than traditional single trip policies. That means FWF can reliably service its business-critical customers, moving high-value loads with a larger pool of small but trusted carriers, despite the fact that load values exceed the coverage limits. 

“Now, we’re not working all day on a single load trying to find that unicorn out there that will take the load for a rate that’s not going to break us,” says Dodge. 

On top of that, there’s the automated claims process.

FWF no longer has to claim through carriers’ insurance policies. “That means we don’t have to worry anymore about them not covering the claim and getting stuck with the bill if they didn’t follow proper protocols or go out of business,” says Dodge. “And, when it comes to high-value cargo, that’s an enormous risk to take. Loadsure’s all-risk insurance makes us feel more comfortable taking those risks.” 

Crucially, Loadsure enables FWF to say yes when customers come calling with high-value and specialty loads, rather than missing opportunities for business. 

“We love it,” says Dodge. “Loadsure is simple, and it saves us time and money. That benefits us and it benefits our customers. Now, we’re able to move anything, and that’s our goal. We don’t want to turn anything down. We want to service our customers and be there for them.” 

So, what did Dodge say when we asked if he’d recommend Loadsure? “Absolutely – 100%. It’s an advantage. I highly recommend it.”

Key takeaways 

• Facilitated a 5x increase in capacity, so FWF could stop turning customers away
• FWF is now equipped to cover high-value specialty and commonly excluded loads
• Instant access to insurance certificates for all-risk policies
• Automated claims process so FWF are no longer reliant on carrier’s insurance providers 
• Loadsure platform frees up time for FWF to better serve its customer base