SELF-MOVERS: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

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Program participants performing self-moves often believe they have contacted a moving company for an estimate, only to find out after the move is completed that they were working with a Broker who sold their move to a moving company. Many learn they were working with a Broker after they submit their Expense Report and find out that some of their expenses are not reimbursable. A moving broker arranges for the transportation of your shipment but does not provide line-haul transportation. While a household goods mover transports your shipment, a moving broker is a company that arranges for the transportation of your cargo, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. 

 
A moving broker is not a mover. Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company. A moving broker will often charge a booking fee or a binding estimate fee. The program does not reimburse broker or binding estimate fees paid by a Program Participant to a moving broker.

 
Legitimate movers and brokers are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)to engage in interstate operations involving the interstate transportation of household goods. A legitimate mover or broker will explain whether they are a broker or a mover. Please review the information below describing how to Validate Moving Companies and Brokers. 

You should research whether the companies you have selected for estimates are a Moving Broker or Household Goods Mover and if the company is appropriately registered with FMCSA to perform Interstate moves if you are moving between states. To perform moves between states, a Household Goods Mover must be registered as an Interstate Mover in the FMCSA database. Both legitimate Brokers and Moving Companies are identified in the database.

 
Visit the FMCSA website and Mover Database, www.protectyourmove.gov, to research the companies you plan to work with for initial move estimates. The website also provides additional required reading to properly Protect Your Move!

Information Available to You in the FMCSA Mover Database

Information you can review includes:

• The location of the moving company's headquarters,
• Company Contact related information,
• Type of moving business (e.g., carrier, broker, etc.),
• Registration status to include if they are an Interstate Household Goods mover or only allowed to perform moves within a specific state - Intrastate Mover,
• Complaint information, and
• Safety information