Moving Companies vs. Moving Brokers

What distinguishes moving companies from moving brokers?

When making a reservation for your move, ask if they are a moving company or a broker. A moving broker and a moving company are not the same things.

A moving company directly manages your relocation using its staff and fleet of trucks. Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a U.S. DOT number (FMCSA).

In addition to organizing the transportation of your belongings, a moving broker hires a moving company to carry out the actual move. Moving brokers are sales teams that plan and market your move to a moving company. They must also register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A broker is not allowed to transport your household goods and is not responsible for your belongings. Brokers rarely have moving trucks or expert movers, although some businesses registered as brokers with the FMCSA may have staff and trucks.

When working with a moving broker, you should:

  • Find out if the broker is FMCSA registered. All interstate moving companies must register. You can look up registered brokers in the FMCSA’s database at www.protectyourmove.gov.
  • Ask the broker for copies of the Ready to Move and Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklets. Brokers are required to provide consumers with these consumer documents.
  • Ask the broker for a list of their moving partners. Your broker must provide this information.
  • Confirm that the broker only works with FMCSA-registered movers. For interstate moves, brokers must only employ FMCSA-registered movers.

    • Ask the broker if it has a written agreement with the movers it hires, which is required by law.

  • Check to ensure the broker gives you a written estimate based on the rates of the actual moving company. Never trust a verbal moving estimate.
  • Ask to see the broker’s marketing materials, commercials, and/or website. Brokers must disclose in their marketing materials their physical office address, U.S. DOT registration number, and status as a broker who neither transports household goods nor makes arrangements for this service. If there isn’t an advertisement available, ask for this information directly.
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