American National Movers

Carrier vs. Broker: What's the Difference?

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Carrier

A household goods carrier performs the move itself, using its own trucks and crews. It is registered with FMCSA and must have liability and cargo insurance on file.

Broker

A household goods broker arranges a move and assigns it to a carrier. Brokers do not own trucks and do not perform the move. A broker must be registered with FMCSA and disclose that it is a broker.

What to ask a broker

  • The name and USDOT number of the carrier that will perform your move.
  • Whether the estimate is from the carrier, and whether it is binding.
  • Who to contact on moving day and if there is a claim.

Look up both the broker and the carrier on FMCSA before you book.