How Auto Transport Works
Brokers arrange shipments and assign carriers. Carriers own the trucks. A vehicle shipping agent does neither — we let licensed partners compete for your shipment so you choose the offer yourself. Here is how the three differ.
Brokers vs. Carriers
Two distinct roles in the auto transport industry
Auto Transport Broker
A broker is a licensed intermediary that arranges transport on your behalf. Brokers do not own trucks or physically move vehicles. They hold FMCSA broker authority, take your booking, and then select and dispatch a carrier for you, usually working from load boards and dispatch networks.
- Arranges the shipment on your behalf
- Selects and dispatches the carrier for you
- Sets the price you pay and pays the carrier separately
- Acts as the middleman between you and the carrier
- Licensed by the FMCSA with broker authority (MC number)
Auto Transport Carrier
A carrier is the company that owns the trucks and physically moves your vehicle. Carriers operate specific routes and have a limited number of spots on each truck (typically 7-10 for open carriers, 2-6 for enclosed). Carriers work with multiple brokers to fill their trucks and avoid running empty.
- Owns and operates the transport trucks
- Employs the drivers who handle your vehicle
- Carries the required cargo insurance
- Operates on fixed routes between regions
- Licensed by the FMCSA with carrier authority (MC and DOT numbers)
Why Let Companies Compete for Your Shipment?
What changes when licensed partners compete for your shipment instead of being assigned to it
Competing Offers
Your route goes out to thousands of carriers at once and they bid against each other. A single carrier can only offer their own rate, and a middleman only shows you one price.
Wider Reach
Individual carriers run limited routes. We put your shipment in front of licensed auto transport companies nationwide, so the ones already heading your way find you, even on less popular corridors.
Licensed Auto Transport Companies
Every partner we are a disclosed agent for holds active FMCSA authority and current insurance, and safety record — so the offers you compare come from carriers that qualify.
You Choose
You see the price, rating, and timeline for each offer and pick the carrier yourself. Nobody assigns one to you, and nothing about the price is hidden from you.
American Auto Shipping's Role
Licensed auto transport companies compete, you choose
American Auto Shipping represents licensed auto transport companies under signed agency agreements. We put your shipment in front of the licensed companies we have signed agency agreements with, they compete with their best offers, and you compare real prices, ratings, and timelines and choose. The company you pick books the move and moves your vehicle; we stay with you until delivery.
Every partner is listed, with its USDOT and MC numbers, on our partners page and in the footer of every page, so you always know who will be quoting and who will be hauling. The price we show you first is an estimate from a published formula; your final price comes from the partner you choose.
Once you accept a partner's offer, your agreement for the transport is with that company — it handles booking, pickup, transit, and delivery directly with you. Our team stays reachable by phone the whole way through if you need help.
How We Protect You
- Every carrier verified for active FMCSA authority
- Insurance coverage confirmed before offers reach you
- Carrier safety records checked against the FMCSA database
- Customer feedback monitoring for all carriers
- Every offer shown with its price, rating, and timeline up front
- Real support by phone from quote through delivery
- 27+ years of industry experience
- Over 235,000+ vehicles shipped successfully
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited Business
27+ Years
In Business Since 1999
235K+ Vehicles
Successfully Shipped
Licensed Partners
FMCSA-registered companies compete
Frequently Asked Questions
A broker is a licensed intermediary that connects you with carriers who own the trucks and physically transport your vehicle. Brokers have access to thousands of carriers, giving you more options and competitive pricing.
Neither. We put your shipment in front of licensed auto transport companies, they compete with their offers, and you choose who moves your vehicle. We never assign a carrier to you. We put your shipment in front of licensed auto transport companies who compete for it, and you choose the offer you want.
When more than one licensed company makes an offer on your shipment, the competition works in your favor and you see each offer with its price, rating, and timeline before you commit. A middleman shows you one price and keeps the difference between what you pay and what the carrier is paid.
Check their FMCSA registration for an active MC number (broker authority) or DOT number (carrier authority). Verify their insurance is current and look for a track record of positive customer reviews.
Related Resources
Brokers vs. Carriers
In-depth comparison to help you choose wisely
Open Auto Transport
The most popular and affordable shipping method
Enclosed Auto Transport
Premium protection for high-value vehicles
Shipping Rate Calculator
Get an instant estimate for your route
Auto Shipping FAQ
Answers to the most common shipping questions