There are plenty of options when it comes to selecting a courier company, so you’ll want to choose wisely. You’ll want to make sure that the company you choose can meet your specific needs and will be able to deliver your shipments on time and in perfect condition. To ensure you’re choosing the right courier company, here are five factors to consider before making your final decision.

1) What are you shipping?

More often than not, you’ll find yourself shipping large pieces of machinery or other specialized products to your clients. Buying the right transportation method can reduce costs, as well as improve delivery time and reliability. That’s why it’s so important to do some research on your options before committing to a particular service provider. It pays to do the homework, so you know what you’re paying for and don’t end up getting stuck with poor service from an overpriced carrier.

2) What value does your product hold?

Locating an affordable, fast and reliable courier service is no easy task. There are many factors to consider when it comes to outsourcing your delivery needs to someone else. You need to take into account the quality of their services, past experiences with them, pricing and speed of delivery among other things. The value of the product you’re transporting is a big consideration when making a decision.

3) Who will pay the freight?

Before you choose a company, ask them upfront who will be paying the freight. For example, if it’s being sent as an insurance claim, will the customer pay for delivery? Will they need to present their ID at pickup or drop off? What happens when the shipment is returned to sender?

4) Is insurance covered?

A business’ contract with the courier service is a large factor in determining if insurance is included. It’s important to determine what kind of coverage is needed, and at what price, to determine if an insurance policy is going to help or hinder your operations.

5) Will I be liable if my product arrives damaged?

While there are many factors that go into evaluating a courier, one important factor is what liability is borne by the recipient in the event of damage to an item. If damage occurs and it cannot be proven who was at fault, then such damages may be paid by the sender of the item up to the level established in the seller’s terms of service. If it can be proven that said damage happened due to negligent behavior on behalf of the courier agent during transit, then they may be liable for all damages incurred.