Detention Pay Recovery SolutionsCompared (2026)
Carriers lose an estimated $1.3 billion annually to unpaid detention time. A growing number of services aim to recover that money — here's how they compare.
How do detention recovery services compare?
We compared four approaches to recovering detention pay: Bastion Recovery (our platform, currently in development), DetentionIQ, FreightClaims, and the traditional DIY approach. Where competitor information is not publicly available, we note that honestly.
| Feature | Bastion RecoveryComing Soon | DetentionIQ | FreightClaims | DIY / Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automation Level | Designed for full automation — submit load details, we handle the rest | Semi-automated claim filing | Automated freight claims platform | Fully manual — carrier files each claim individually |
| Integration Options | Built API-first for TMS, ELD, and factoring platform integration | Direct carrier portal | TMS channel partnerships (signed Nov 2025) | None — email, phone, fax |
| Pricing Model | Commission-only on successful recoveries | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | Free (your time and effort) |
| Carrier Size Fit | Built for carriers of every size — no fleet minimums | 50+ carriers reported | Carrier and broker focused | Any size (if you have the hours) |
| Recovery Speed | Goal: faster recovery through automation | Varies | Varies | Weeks to months per claim |
| Contract Required? | No long-term contracts | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | N/A |
| First Claim Free? | Yes — first recovery at no cost | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | N/A |
Competitor information based on publicly available data as of April 2026. Bastion Recovery features reflect our product design and intended capabilities. "Not publicly disclosed" means we could not verify this information from public sources.
What to look for in a detention recovery solution
Not all detention recovery services are built the same. Here are the criteria that matter most when evaluating your options.
Does it automate the entire claim process?
Manual detention claims take hours per load — reviewing rate confirmations, calculating free time, assembling evidence, and filing with brokers. A good recovery solution handles all of this automatically. If you are still doing paperwork, it is not automated enough.
Can owner-operators use it, or is there a fleet minimum?
The majority of carriers in the U.S. operate 10 or fewer trucks. If a recovery solution requires a minimum fleet size, it excludes the carriers who need it most. Look for services that welcome owner-operators and small fleets without volume requirements.
Does it integrate with your existing software?
The best detention recovery happens when the service can pull data directly from your TMS, ELD, or factoring platform — no manual uploads, no duplicate data entry. API-first integration means recovery happens in the background without changing your workflow.
Is pricing transparent and success-based?
Commission-only pricing aligns the recovery service's incentives with yours — they only earn when you earn. Be cautious of subscription models that charge monthly regardless of results, or pricing structures that are not disclosed upfront.
Are you locked into a contract?
Long-term contracts create switching costs that benefit the provider, not you. A recovery service confident in its results should not need to lock carriers into multi-year agreements. Look for month-to-month or no-contract options.
Can you try it risk-free?
A free first claim removes the biggest barrier to trying a new service. If a recovery provider will not let you test the process before committing, ask why. The best way to evaluate a detention recovery solution is to see it recover real money on a real load.
Last updated: April 2026 · Bastion Recovery Research Team
Why we're building Bastion Recovery
We're building Bastion to eliminate the manual work of detention recovery. Too many carriers — especially smaller carriers and owner-operators — leave money on the table because filing detention claims is slow, confusing, and inconsistent. Our goal is to make recovery as simple as submitting your load details.
Bastion is designed as an API-first platform that plugs into the software carriers already use — TMS systems, ELD providers, and factoring companies. Instead of asking carriers to change their workflow, we aim to work with the data they already generate.
We believe your first claim should be free. If we don't recover money, you shouldn't pay. And we don't believe in long-term contracts — a recovery service confident in its results should earn your business every month.
Bastion is currently in development. If you're a carrier interested in recovering detention pay, join our waitlist below. If you're a platform that wants to integrate detention recovery, explore our partnership options.
Be Among the First Carriers to Recover Detention Pay
Bastion Recovery is coming soon. Join the waitlist for early access and a free first claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: April 2026 · Bastion Recovery Research Team
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