Last month, Mark received a call that changed everything: brokers told him his company no longer had the authority to haul loads. Despite diligently paying insurance premiums for years, FMCSA’s SAFER database listed his operating authority as revoked. How? Because his insurer never filed the required continuation filings.

How Insurance Can Cost You Your Authority

By FMCSA regulation, carriers must maintain proof of liability insurance via Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X filings. Importantly, it’s the insurance company’s responsibility to notify FMCSA of continued active coverage, not the carrier’s.

When insurers fail to file or delay submissions, FMCSA can automatically issue a Notice of Revocation of Authority. This mistake puts your business in limbo, even when you’re fully covered.

In Mark’s case, his insurer admitted the error, paid the $80 reinstatement fee, and his authority was restored in a week. But the damage was done. Public records now showed his operation as newly authorized, and many brokers refused to work with him due to a lack of continuous authority.

Don’t Assume You Have to Accept the Loss

Just because your authority was revoked through no fault of your own doesn’t mean you’re left without recourse. Across the country, laws exist to recover damages when professional negligence causes harm. In this scenario, the insurer’s failure to file properly triggered direct financial harm to Mark’s business, loss of customers, missed loads, and diminished trust. The insurer can be held responsible.

What You Should Do Immediately

Document Everything – Save notices, emails, broker refusals, and the evidence showing your insurer failed to file.

Reinstate Authority – Work with FMCSA to get your status corrected. Pay needed fees, and ensure the proper forms are filed.

Evaluate Damages – Calculate revenue lost during the revocation period, lost contracts, reputational harm, and other related losses.

Consult a Specialized Attorney – Your state’s rules vary on recovery and notice requirements; a trucking law firm can guide you.FMCSA Form Filing Failure – What Truckers Should Do When Authority Is Revoked

Know Your Rights. Protect Your Business.

If your operating authority was revoked because of a filing error by your insurer, you don’t have to bear the loss alone. The team at Eckert & Associates, P.A. specializes in trucking law and insurance disputes.

Call 1-800-DOWNTIME or visit DowntimeClaims.com today for a free consultation, we fight to recover what you rightfully deserve.