Moving broker versus carrier: know who is handling your move

A household-goods carrier physically transports your shipment. A broker arranges transportation with a carrier. A broker may advertise the move, collect information, provide an estimate, and later assign another company to perform pickup and delivery.

Neither role is automatically good or bad. The decision risk comes from not knowing which company is responsible, whether the transporting carrier is authorized, and which name appears on your estimate and payment receipt.

Search the legal name or USDOT number and compare the official record with the estimate, website, email address, and payment instructions you received.

• Does the record identify the company as a carrier, broker, or both?
• Does the legal or trade name match the company communicating with you?
• Is the headquarters location consistent with the contact details?
• If a carrier has been assigned, did you receive its legal name and USDOT number?

1. Are you the carrier that will physically transport my goods, or a broker?
2. Which company will appear on the bill of lading?
3. When will I receive the assigned carrier’s name and USDOT number?
4. Who receives and refunds the deposit if the move is canceled?
5. Who handles claims for loss, damage, delay, or a price dispute?

Keep the answers in writing. Recheck the assigned carrier before pickup because authority and insurance information can change.

Setly summarizes consumer decision points and does not certify, approve, recommend, or guarantee a mover. Verify changing registration, authority, insurance, complaint, and safety information directly with the official source before paying and again before pickup.