When you hire a long distance mover, the company that takes your booking may not be the one that transports your belongings. Before you sign, find out whether the company is a carrier or a broker, and who will actually handle the move.
As a carrier with a history dating back to 1929, National Van Lines can explain how these roles differ, and share where to go to check a company’s federal record. We’ve also created an infographic with 5 questions to ask and 5 tips to follow before choosing a mover.
5 Minutes, 5 Checks Before You Choose a Mover
It only takes 5 minutes to learn a lot about the moving company you’re thinking about hiring. When you have a relocation coming up, use the steps in the infographic below before agreeing to any services. Feel free to share it on social media, or embed it on your blog and help others when they’re choosing a mover as well.
What the Carrier and Broker Roles Mean for Your Move
The first question in the infographic asks whether the company is a carrier or a broker. Yes, there is a difference, and the answer tells you which moving company you’ll be trusting your belongings with. It works like this. A carrier physically performs the move, either directly or through an agent in its network. That carrier is responsible for transporting your belongings from pick-up to delivery. However, a broker does not transport any belongings. Rather, it acts as a middleman and arranges for a carrier to conduct the move.
Families and businesses moving across the country should absolutely understand who is handling their belongings at every stage of the move. For instance, when a moving company is acting as a broker it should make that crystal clear, and explain that a separate carrier will physically handle the move. The companies involved should also be clearly identified in the estimate and other documents you receive. Our guide to long distance moving paperwork explains what to expect before, during and after your move.
Why You Should Verify a Mover Before Signing
One of the biggest risks of hiring an unverified mover is what’s referred to as a “hostage load.” Just like it sounds, this occurs when a mover refuses to release household goods without additional payment. There have been some encouraging signs in recent years, with complaints about hostage loads falling from more than 3,000 in 2022 to 752 in 2024. Yet this number still represents a large number of customers that are dealing with the repercussions of moving fraud. Knowing whether you’re working with a carrier or a broker helps you identify which company will actually have your belongings, so you can check that company’s record before you sign.
How to Verify an Interstate Moving Company
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has taken steps to prevent fraud through its Operation Protect Your Move campaign, which lets consumers look up a mover themselves. Before agreeing to anything with a mover, you can now visit the FMCSA Operation Protect Your Move resource and get the information you need.
A quick search of the FMCSA database will identify whether or not the company is registered as an interstate mover and has a valid U.S. DOT number. You can check their legal business name, address, contact information, registration status and type of business, as well as whether it’s registered as a broker or carrier.
These steps will help you determine which residential moving company will transport your belongings before you ever sign anything for your long distance move. You can also help friends and family avoid the dangers of moving fraud by sharing our infographic.
Speak With Our Long Distance Movers Today
National Van Lines was founded in 1929 and has provided moving services to over one million families. For help with residential or commercial relocations throughout the country, speak with a moving specialist today. Call 800-323-1962 or request a free moving quote.
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