Auto Transport Broker vs Carrier: Who Is Responsible for Your Car?

Most auto transport customers do not know the difference between the broker they booked with and the carrier that actually moved their car. This confusion costs people money and legal rights every year. Here is a clear breakdown of who does what — and critically, who to call when something goes wrong.

The broker: arranger, not transporter

An auto transport broker is a licensed middleman. They do not own trucks. They do not transport vehicles. Their job is to take your order and find a carrier — a licensed trucking company — willing to move your vehicle at a price that leaves room for the broker's fee.

Brokers must hold an active FMCSA broker authority (MC number) and a $75,000 surety bond. They are regulated by the FMCSA but are not directly responsible for the physical safety of your vehicle during transit.

You interact primarily with the broker: you get a quote from them, sign a contract with them, and pay them (or pay the carrier directly on delivery, depending on the structure). They are your point of contact throughout the process.

The carrier: the people who actually have your car

The carrier is the trucking company with the actual truck. They load your vehicle, drive it, and deliver it. They are licensed motor carriers with their own FMCSA authority (a different MC number and a DOT number).

Carriers are required to carry cargo insurance — this is the insurance that covers physical damage to your vehicle during transport. The carrier is the legally liable party under the Carmack Amendment if your car is damaged while in their custody.

Who to contact for what

Vehicle damage at delivery

Contact the carrier first — they have the cargo insurance and the legal liability. Your damage claim goes against the carrier's policy. File the claim in writing with the carrier within 15 days of delivery.

Also notify the broker — a good broker will advocate for you with the carrier and facilitate the claim. If the broker is unresponsive, that is useful information for your review.

Pricing disputes, cancellations, deposit refunds

Contact the broker — they took your money, they set the terms, they are responsible for honoring the contract you signed with them.

Pickup and delivery delays

Contact the broker first — they are your intermediary and should be coordinating with the carrier. If the broker cannot give you information, ask for the carrier's direct contact information and call the carrier.

Car not delivered, carrier unreachable

Contact both. If neither is reachable and you cannot locate your vehicle, file an FMCSA complaint immediately and consider filing a police report.

Price raised at delivery (hostage load)

This involves the carrier (they are holding the car) but the broker is responsible for honoring the contracted price. Contact both simultaneously, call the FMCSA enforcement line (1-888-368-7238), and document everything.

How to find out who the carrier is

Your Bill of Lading (BOL) from pickup should show the carrier's name, MC number, and DOT number. If you lost this or never received it:

• Ask your broker — they are required to have this information
• Search the FMCSA database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov if you have any partial information
• Call the broker's number — even if the broker is unresponsive, someone may still be reachable who can give you the carrier information

Why this distinction matters for legal claims

Suing the wrong party wastes time and money. If you file a damage claim against the broker, they will (correctly) tell you they are not the carrier and are not liable for the physical damage. You need to file against the carrier.

If you are disputing a contract term (the price you agreed to, cancellation terms, deposit refund), the broker is your counterparty — not the carrier.

In small claims court, name the right entity. In a chargeback, the charge was likely to the broker, so the dispute is with the broker.