January 11, 2021 Plenty carriers have found themselves unpaid for loads they hauled for a broker or freight forwarder that has gone broke or, in some rare cases, had no intention to pay to begin with. Sometimes they can still receive all or a portion of the unpaid freight bill from other parties responsible for payment. 1. What is the difference between a freight broker and a freight forwarder? Both must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While they often operate in similar ways, their legal responsibilities differ. A broker serves as an intermediary between the shipper or receiver and the motor carrier hauling the load. A broker is not liable for loss or damage to the freight and thus most often does not carry cargo insurance.