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Associate Member Application

Thank you for your interest in joining the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA). The information included in this application will be reviewed by WSIA’s Membership & Ethics Committee and must be approved by the WSIA Board of Directors as required by the Association’s bylaws.  All information provided in the application is confidential among the WSIA team, Membership & Ethics Committee and Board of Directors. Submission of this application does not constitute automatic acceptance of membership.

Definition
An Associate Member is an individual, firm or organization that does not qualify for U.S. Wholesale Membership or U.S. Insurance Market Membership, but who represents a valid insurance provider to U.S. Wholesale Members or U.S. Insurance Market Members and is principally committed to supporting the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.  This category shall include, but is not limited to, non-U.S. brokers, agents, managing general agents or program administrators, non-U.S. risk bearers, syndicates or managing agencies, reinsurers, reinsurance intermediaries, or other similar wholesalers or insurance market entities.

Criteria

  • Experience operating in the wholesale insurance business under its current ownership and management for at least two years.
  • Represent a valid insurance provider to U.S. Wholesale Members or U.S. Insurance Market Members that is not eligible for another membership category.
  • Demonstrate principle support of the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.
  • Obtain two references from current WSIA voting member firms.

If applicant is a non-U.S. broker, agent, managing general agent or program administrator, the following membership criteria will apply:

  • $5 million minimum annual premium volume derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
  • At least 51% of annual premium volume from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
  • At least 51% of annual premium volume must be placed with unaffiliated insurance markets.
  • Must be directly appointed by one market that is an existing Insurance Market Member or Associate Member.

If applicant is a non-U.S. delegated authority, the following membership criteria will apply:

  • At least 51% of annual premium volume must be derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
  • At least 51% of annual premium volume from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
  • At least 51% of annual premium volume must be placed with unaffiliated insurance markets.
  • Must have underwriting authority with at least one market that is an existing U.S. Insurance Market Member or Associate Member.

If applicant is a non-U.S. risk bearer, the following membership criteria will apply:

  • At least 51% of annual premium volume must be derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
  • At least 51% of annual premium volume from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
  • $5 Million minimum annual premium volume.
  • Capital and surplus at minimum of (1) $15 million or (2) listing on the NAIC Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers.

Reinsurers who do not meet the risk-bearer criteria may be considered for the Service Member category if their interest in membership is to supply valid services (e.g., loss control and risk management) to the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.

PLEASE NOTE: For purposes of this application, affiliation is defined as relationships with business partners with common ownership. Business partners are general not assumed to be affiliated because they have contractual relationships or binding authority from a business partner with no common ownership.