WSIA Membership Criteria and Applications

Participation in WSIA events and activities requires membership. Firms interested in WSIA membership must submit (1) a completed application and (2) two reference forms. The criteria and applications for each member type are listed below and should be carefully reviewed. To apply, select the appropriate application for your firm’s member type. If you have questions about the criteria or membership types, please contact Keri Kish, [email protected] or 816.799.0855, for assistance. 

• Two reference forms must be submitted to support all membership applications.
  • References must be provided by two different current WSIA voting member firms. Voting members are Wholesale, Insurance Market or Associate members.
  • To confirm if a firm is a WSIA member, choose the appropriate member category and enter their firm name here.
  • You may provide this link to the individual you are requesting provide a reference. 
  • References must be received by the deadline. If references are not received with the application by the deadline, the application will be deferred to the next deadline. 

Application Deadlines

All applications are reviewed by the WSIA Membership & Ethics Committee and voted for approval or declination by the WSIA Board of Directors. There are four membership application cycles per year. Applications received after a due date will be considered in the next application cycle and incomplete applications will not be considered. These deadlines are firm and we cannot grant exceptions. 

Upcoming deadlines to submit completed application files are:

• April 17, 2026 for May consideration and opportunity to register for Annual Marketplace on opening day, participate in WSIA's hotel room block and reserve a Club Table
• September 11, 2026 for October consideration and eligibility to attend Annual Marketplace
• November 30, 2026 for December consideration
• February 12, 2027 for March consideration and eligibility to attend Underwriting Summit
• April 16, 2027 May consideration and opportunity to register for Annual Marketplace on opening day, participate in WSIA's hotel room block and reserve a Club Table
• August 6, 2027 for September consideration and eligibility to attend Annual Marketplace (hotel room block and purchasing of Club Tables will not be available)
• November 29, 2027 for December consideration

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U.S. Wholesale Member

A U.S. Wholesale Member is a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation licensed in at least one jurisdiction within the United States as a broker, agent, managing general agent, program administrator, or entity with delegated underwriting authority that is engaged in the insurance business principally as a wholesaler. U.S. Wholesale Members must transact a substantial portion of their insurance business with unaffiliated firms.

U.S. Wholesale Member applicants must:

1. Be a U.S.-based entity
2. Experience operating in the wholesale insurance business under its current ownership and management for at least two years.
3. (A) At least 75% of annual premium volume must be distributed on a wholesale basis, that is derived from retail agents and brokers; or (B) A combination of (1) at least 50% derived from retail agents and brokers and (2) at least 25% derived from wholesale agents and brokers; and (C) no more than 25% of annual premium is derived directly from the insured. 
4. At least 50% of annual premium volume must be derived from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
5. At least 50% of annual premium volume must be placed with unaffiliated insurance markets.
6. Be directly appointed by at least one market that is an existing WSIA U.S. Insurance Market Member or Associate Member.
7. Obtain two references from current WSIA voting member firms. 

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Insurance Market Member

A U.S. Insurance Market Member is a risk-bearing entity incorporated or organized in any jurisdiction within the United States and engaged in the underwriting of insurance or having delegated underwriting authority and selling principally through wholesalers. U.S. Insurance Market Members must transact a substantial portion of their insurance business with unaffiliated firms. Managing general agents and underwriting managers may be accepted if they have delegated underwriting authority with at least one market that is an existing U.S. Insurance Market Member or Associate Member. This category shall include, but is not limited to, insurance companies and managing general agents or underwriting managers selling to U.S. wholesalers.

U.S. Insurance Market Member applicants must:

1. Be a U.S.-based entity
2. Experience operating in the wholesale insurance business under its current ownership and management for at least two years.
3. At least 50% of annual premium volume must be derived from wholesale agents and brokers.
4. Obtain two references from current WSIA voting member firms.

If a risk bearer, the following membership criteria will apply:

• At least 25% of annual premium volume must be derived from unaffiliated agents and brokers. 
• Have a secure rating (B+ or better) from AM Best or equivalent rating from another recognized rating service.
• $5 million minimum annual premium volume.
• Capital and surplus at minimum of (1) $15 million or (2) requirements in insurer’s state of domicile.
• Net premium to surplus ration not to exceed 3 to 1.

If a delegated authority, the following membership criteria will apply:

• At least 50% of annual premium volume must be derived 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 WSIA Insurance Market Member or Associate Member. 

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Associate Member

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.

Associate Member Applicants Must:

1. Experience operating in the wholesale insurance business under its current ownership and management for at least two years.
2. Represent a valid insurance provider to U.S. Wholesale Members or U.S. Insurance Market Members that is not eligible for another membership category.
3. Demonstrate principle support of the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.
4. 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:

• At least $5 million of annual premium volume must be derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
• At least 50% of annual premium volume from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
• At least 50% 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 50% of annual premium volume must be derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
• At least 50% of annual premium volume from unaffiliated agents and brokers.
• At least 50% 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 50% of annual premium volume must be derived from U.S. Wholesale Members.
• At least 50% 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 and Reinsurance Intermediaries will be asked to provide additional information that helps establish their support of the wholesale distribution channel. Reinsurers who do not meet the risk-bearer criteria might be considered for the Service Member category if their interest in membership is limited to supplying valid services (e.g., loss control and risk management) to the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.

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Service Member

A Service Member is an individual, firm or organization that does not qualify for voting membership but supplies services to voting members and supports the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system. This category shall include, but is not limited to, consultants, inspection firms, law firms, media, and other professional associations, software vendors, Stamping Offices, Surplus Lines Associations and third party administrators.

Service Member Applicants Must:

1. Experience operating under its current ownership and management for at least two years.
2. Supplies valid services to voting members and is not eligible for another membership category.
3. Demonstrate support of the U.S. wholesale insurance distribution system.
4. Obtain two references from current WSIA voting member firms.

APPLY NOW

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Provisional Membership