How Auto Transport Works
Brokers arrange shipments and assign carriers. Carriers own the trucks. A marketplace does neither — it lets carriers 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 Use a Marketplace?
What changes when carriers 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. Our platform scans carriers nationwide to surface the ones already heading your way, even on less popular corridors.
Verified Carriers
Every carrier on the platform is checked for active FMCSA authority, 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
Neither a broker nor a carrier — an AI-powered marketplace
American Auto Shipping is a shipping marketplace and quote aggregator. We are not a broker and we are not a carrier. We do not own trucks, employ drivers, arrange your shipment on your behalf, or assign a carrier to you. What we do is put your shipment in front of verified carriers and let them compete for it, so you can compare real offers and choose one yourself.
When you request a quote, our platform scans thousands of carriers' active routes in real time and surfaces the ones with open spots on trucks already heading your direction. Filling those empty spots is what removes deadhead miles from the route, and that is where the savings come from.
Every carrier on the platform is verified for FMCSA authority, active insurance coverage, and satisfactory safety ratings before their offers reach you. We monitor carrier performance continuously and remove any that fall below our standards.
Once you accept an offer, your agreement for the transport itself is with the carrier you picked — they handle pickup, transit, and delivery directly with you. Our support 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 & Insured
FMCSA Registered
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. American Auto Shipping is a shipping marketplace and quote aggregator. We do not hold broker authority, we do not own trucks, and we never assign a carrier to you. We put your shipment in front of verified carriers who compete for it, and you choose the offer you want.
When carriers bid against each other for 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