Freight Broker Files for Bankruptcy: How to Recover What You’re Owed

By facilitating communication between shippers and carriers, freight brokers play a crucial role in the transportation sector. However, if a freight broker declares bankruptcy and is owed money to you, it can put you under a lot of financial strain, especially if you're a carrier and are waiting for unpaid freight bills. Understanding the legal process and the steps involved can help you recover some or all of your owed money.

In this article, we'll explain what to do in the event that a freight broker declares bankruptcy, how to file a claim, and the best ways to protect your interests.

1. Understanding the Bankruptcy of Freight Brokers

In essence, a freight broker's filing for bankruptcy means they are unable to fulfill their financial obligations to creditors, including shippers and other business partners. They can either liquidate or reorganize their debts through the bankruptcy process. Here are the two typical types of bankruptcy freight brokers:

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: The broker's assets are liquidated and the money used to pay its debtors. In this situation, it's less likely that the debtors will receive full payment.

• Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: The broker goes through a restructuring that will allow them to pay off their debts and possibly keep running their business. Although it could be delayed or reduced, creditors may still receive payment.

Understanding the type of bankruptcy a freight broker files can help you determine how likely it is to be able to recover your unpaid freight bills.

2.... Important Actions to Take When a Freight Broker Files for Bankruptcy

It's crucial to take the right steps right away if a freight broker who owes you money files for bankruptcy. What you need to do is the following:

2.1... Verify the Bankruptcy Reporting.

The first step is to confirm that the broker has filed for bankruptcy. The PACER( Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, which provides case and docket details, allows you to check bankruptcy filings. This verification makes sure that the event is legitimate, and that the broker is not using a delay tactic.

2. 2. Gatter Documentation

Gather all necessary paperwork related to the unpaid freight invoices. Among these are:

• Payment terms and invoicing

• Delivery receipts and service documentation

• Emails and correspondence between the freight broker and the customer

• Contracts or agreements These are important when bringing a claim in bankruptcy court.

2. 3. Obtain a Proof of Claim from a government agency.

You must submit a Proof of Claim with the bankruptcy court once the bankruptcy has been confirmed. The amount of money the broker owes you is specified in a formal statement. To support your claim, be sure to include all supporting documentation.

A Proof of Claim must be submitted because it could prevent you from being added to the list of creditors who may be eligible for any payments once the bankruptcy proceedings are settled.

3.... Understanding Your Role as a Creditor

Creditors are typically ranked based on the priority of their claims when a freight broker files for bankruptcy. Knowing where you stand as a creditor and how much of your claim you can recover is important.

3. 1. Secured vs. Unsecured Creditors:

• Secured Creditors: These creditors have a legal claim against the bankrupt broker's assets, including real estate and vehicles. They typically come in first place for repayment.

• Unsecured Creditors: Carriers typically fall under this umbrella, unless a specific security agreement was reached with the broker. Advance Global Logistics LLC In a Chapter 7 liquidation, unsecured creditors have a lower priority, meaning they may not be paid in full, especially if the debt is secured.

4. Defining a Bond Claim

As part of their licensing application with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration( FMCSA), freight brokers are required to carry a surety bond or trust fund agreement. In the event that the broker does n't pay them, the purpose of the bond is to protect the carriers and shippers.

You may file a claim against the freight broker's bond if the broker owes you money and has filed for bankruptcy. Brokers are required by the FMCSA to maintain a minimum$ 75, 000 bond, which can help you pay back some of your debts.

To submit a bond claim:

• Get in touch with the surety firm that issued the bond.

• Provide a copy of the service agreement and proof of payment.

• Follow the claim procedures as defined by the surety company.

Important to remember that bond payouts are constrained, and that the amount will be divided between creditors if more money is owed.

5. Negotiating a Settlement

You might be able to bargain with the freight broker's bankruptcy trustee in some cases to reach a settlement. The trustee is in charge of distributing and managing the broker's assets to creditors.

You might be able to come to terms with someone who wants to receive only a portion of the payment or come up with a payment strategy over time. This could be a quicker way to get some compensation than to wait until the bankruptcy process is over, even though you might not be able to recover the entire sum.

6..... Using a collection agency

You might want to work with a collection firm with a focus on the freight industry if the bankruptcy process seems overwhelming. Even in challenging circumstances like bankruptcy, collection agencies have experience recovering unpaid freight bills.

The agency will work with you to file lawsuits, negotiate settlements, and look into other ways to get your money back. Keep in mind that collections companies typically bill a percentage of the amount recovered as their fee.

7. Protecting Yourself from Bankruptcies of Future Freight Brokers

There are proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk in the future, even though it's difficult to predict when a broker will file for bankruptcy:

• Conduct Credit Checks: Conduct a credit check to check a freight broker's financial health and payment history before entering into a business relationship.

• Track Payment Patterns: A broker's repeated requests for longer payment terms or delays may indicate cash flow issues. Be cautious if you intend to continue doing business with them.

• Request Payment in Advance: To reduce the likelihood of non-payment, consider requesting payment upfront or using shorter payment terms for high-value shipments or new clients.

• Use Freight Factoring: Freight factoring enables carriers to sell their invoices to a factoring company, who then takes on the task of getting payment from the broker. This allows for immediate cash flow and lowers the chance of non-payment as a result of broker bankruptcy.

Conclusion

Dealing with a freight broker's bankruptcy can be stressful, especially if you are owed money for unpaid freight invoices. You can increase your chances of recovering some or all of the money you owe by taking immediate action, such as verifying the bankruptcy filing, gathering documentation, filing a Proof of Claim, and pursuing a bond claim. Additionally, proactive measures like credit checks and freight factoring can help you avoid similar situations in the future.

Knowing your legal rights as a creditor and staying informed will give you the best chance of surviving the bankruptcy process and recovering your receivables.