An authorized insurer is an insurer that holds a certificate of authority issued by the Nevada Insurance Commissioner and remains authorized to transact insurance in the state. The certificate of authority is the formal approval allowing the insurer to conduct the kinds of insurance business for which it has been approved.

Having sufficient assets may be one consideration in an insurer’s application and ongoing financial regulation, but assets alone do not make an insurer authorized. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners develops model laws, standards, and regulatory resources; it does not issue Nevada certificates of authority. The Governor of Nevada likewise does not issue insurance certificates of authority.

This distinction is central to Nevada insurance regulation. Authorized, or admitted, insurers are subject to Nevada’s ongoing solvency oversight, market-conduct regulation, rate and form requirements where applicable, examinations, and other statutory obligations. Nonadmitted insurers may be used only through the surplus-lines process or another applicable statutory exception.

A producer must understand whether an insurer is authorized before placing ordinary insurance business. Selling or placing insurance with an unauthorized insurer outside a lawful exception can create serious regulatory consequences.

Study Guide references/topics: authorized insurers; admitted insurers; certificates of authority; insurer regulation; NRS 680A.020 .

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