What Is a Moving Carrier?
A moving carrier is a company that actually performs your move. They own their trucks, employ their own crews, and are directly responsible for the safe transport of your belongings. When you hire a carrier, you know exactly who is showing up on moving day.
Carriers are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry their own cargo insurance and liability coverage. If something goes wrong, you deal directly with the company that handled your move - no middleman, no runaround.
What Is a Moving Broker?
A moving broker does not own trucks or employ movers. Instead, they act as a middleman - taking your deposit and booking information, then farming your move out to a third-party carrier. You often don't find out who is actually moving your belongings until moving day.
The problem? Brokers frequently give artificially low estimates to win your business. The actual carrier who shows up may charge significantly more, and the broker has already collected their cut. If items are damaged or lost, you're caught between two companies pointing fingers at each other.
Red Flags You're Dealing With a Broker
Watch for these warning signs when getting moving quotes:
- They can't tell you who will actually show up on moving day
- The estimate seems too low compared to other quotes
- They require a large deposit upfront before any details are confirmed
- They won't provide a physical address or local phone number
- Online reviews mention different company names showing up
- They pressure you to book immediately with limited-time offers
- They can't provide proof of insurance or USDOT registration
- The contract has vague language about 'partnered carriers'
Why RVA Movers Is a Carrier - Not a Broker
When you hire RVA Movers, you're hiring the company that actually shows up. We're a licensed moving carrier based in Richmond, Virginia, and we handle every move with our own trucks and our own trained crews.
How to Verify a Moving Company
Before you hand over a deposit to any moving company, take these steps to verify they're a legitimate carrier:
Check USDOT Number
Look up their USDOT number on the FMCSA website (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). It will show whether they're registered as a carrier or broker.
Ask About Equipment
A real carrier can tell you about their trucks, equipment, and crew. Ask to see photos or visit their facility.
Read Local Reviews
Check Google Reviews for mentions of the actual company showing up. Broker victims often mention a different company arriving on moving day.
Verify Insurance
Ask for their certificate of insurance. A carrier will have cargo and liability insurance under their own company name.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Any reputable moving carrier should answer these questions without hesitation. If they dodge, deflect, or get vague - move on.
- Do you own your trucks, or do you subcontract moves to other companies?
- Will your employees handle my move, or will it be a different crew?
- Can you provide your USDOT number and proof of insurance?
- Is this estimate binding, or can the price change on moving day?
- What is included in the price? Are there any additional fees?
- Do you have reviews on Google under your company name?
- What happens if something is damaged during the move?
- Where is your physical office located?