How we choose the carrier for your move
Atlant Van Lines is a licensed broker, so the most important thing we do is pick who actually moves your belongings. Every carrier we book has to pass the same checks, and it is checked again before your move.
- Active FMCSA interstate authority for household goods
- Insurance on file with FMCSA
- Checked again before every move
What every carrier must pass
Before a carrier can be booked for an Atlant Van Lines customer, we check it against six standards.
| Standard | What we check |
|---|---|
| Federal authority | An active USDOT number and interstate operating authority for household goods, checked on FMCSA records |
| Insurance | Required liability and cargo insurance on file with FMCSA |
| Safety record | Safety ratings, inspection and crash history on FMCSA SAFER and SMS |
| Complaint history | Consumer complaints on the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database and public reviews |
| Fit for your route | Regular service on your route, trucks and crew size that match your move |
| Household goods experience | Proper wrapping, inventory, disassembly and reassembly as part of every move |
Checked again before your move, not just once
Authority and insurance can change, so a carrier that passed last month is checked again before it is booked for your move. If a carrier’s authority is not active or its insurance has lapsed, it is not booked.
After every move we ask the customer how it went. Carriers with repeated problems, late deliveries or damage claims handled badly are no longer booked.
You can check any carrier yourself, too: search its USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER website before moving day.
Why a broker, and what that means for you
A carrier owns trucks and runs its own routes. A broker like Atlant Van Lines works with many licensed carriers, so we can match your move to the one that fits your route, dates and budget, and you keep one coordinator the whole way.
The carrier is responsible for transporting your belongings and for your liability coverage. We stay with you as your point of contact and help if anything goes wrong. Who we are →
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who moves my things? | A licensed interstate carrier |
| Who plans and manages my move? | Your Atlant coordinator |
| Who covers damage? | The carrier’s liability coverage |
| Who helps me with a claim? | Your coordinator |
Carrier questions
Who will move my belongings?
A licensed interstate household goods carrier that has passed our checks. The carrier is named on your moving paperwork, including the bill of lading.
Can I check the carrier myself?
Yes, and we encourage it. Search the carrier’s USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER website to see its authority, insurance and safety record.
What happens if a carrier fails your checks?
It is not booked. If a carrier’s authority becomes inactive or its insurance lapses, we book a different carrier for your move.
Who is responsible if something is damaged?
The carrier is responsible under its liability coverage. Note damage on the inventory at delivery; your coordinator helps you file the claim with the carrier.
Ready to plan your move?
Get a free quote in about a minute, or talk to a coordinator now.