Registration Requirements for Surplus Lines Insurers

Insurance companies seeking to become eligible as surplus insurers must apply under Sections 2-112, 3-318 and 6-203 of the Insurance Article, Annotated Code of Maryland

For initial eligibility, companies are required to submit the following:

  • Application.
  • Certified copy of the most recent annual statement.
  • Certificate of Compliance from domiciliary jurisdiction.
  • An appointment of the Commissioner as agent for the acceptance of service of process.
  • Filing fee of $1,000 (non-refundable) and $1,000 Fraud Prevention Fee, made payable to the Maryland Insurance Administration.*

    Surplus Lines Insurer wishing to renew its eligibility can now apply online, provided that the company’s financial statements are filed with the NAIC. The authorization should be renewed by June 30.

    The renewal process can be completed online without attaching any other paperwork. You will be required to pay the renewal fee totaling $2,000 using a Visa, Mastercard, or eCheck. There is no extra charge for renewing online. If you renew by credit card, the charge on your statement will be shown as “Maryland Insurance Administration”


         How to Renew Your Certificate Of Authority Online
         You will enter your MIA User ID and password that were previously provided to you. Each company   Is  associated with a unique UserID/Password combination. The system will not allow you to renew more  than one company using the same UserID/Password combination.

  • ​If you fail to complete all required fields, you will not be able to continue with your online renewal, and you will get an error message
  • Before submitting your credit card or eCheck information, be sure you review the information to ensure that it is correct.
  • Please be sure to print the confirmation screen for your records. This will be your proof of renewal.


    If you are unable to renew online, please submit the following: ​ 
  • Application.
  • Certified copy of the most recent annual statement.
  • Certificate of Compliance from domicililary jurisdiction.
  • ​​​​​​Filing fee of $1,000 (non-refundable) and $1,000 Fraud Prevention Fee made payable to the Maryland Insurance Administration.*

    * If your company is approved as an accredited reinsurer and a surplus line insurer, total payment due is $3,000.

    Minimum financial requirement is policyholders’ surplus equal to the greater of the minimum capital and surplus required under the laws of the domiciliary jurisdiction or $15,000,000, effective July 1, 2011.

    Filings and fees must be received on or before June 30 for annual renewal.

    If you have any questions, contact Rena Moody at:

    Maryland Insurance Administration
    Company Licensing Unit
    Phone:  410-468-2106
    Fax:  410-468-2112

    Documents and fees should be submitted to:

    Maryland Insurance Administration
    Company Licensing
    200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700
    Baltimore, MD  21202