Admitted vs. Non-Admitted Insurance Explained

Have you been told your policy is with a “non-admitted” carrier and wondered if that’s a bad thing?

What does “non-admitted” even mean — and how does it affect your coverage?

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between admitted and non-admitted insurance carriers and explain how it impacts your protection, pricing, and peace of mind.

You’ll learn the pros and cons of each type, when each is used, and which non-admitted carriers are among the most trusted in the industry.

An  admitted insurance carrier
 is licensed and regulated by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (or the insurance department in your state). These companies:

• Must file their rates and policy forms with the state
• Must follow strict consumer protection laws
• Are backed by the  state guaranty fund
  , which protects you if the company becomes insolvent

• Predictable pricing
• Strong regulatory oversight
• Access to financial safety nets through the state

A  non-admitted carrier
 (also called a surplus lines insurer) is  not licensed
 by the state in the traditional way. However, they are allowed to write insurance  legally
 when admitted carriers won’t offer coverage for certain risks.

These companies specialize in:

• High-risk or hard-to-insure properties
• Niche businesses or liability needs
• Custom coverage not available from standard insurers

• Not backed by the state guaranty fund
• More flexibility in underwriting and pricing
• Can offer solutions where others say no

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we work with both  admitted and non-admitted carriers
 to meet our clients’ unique needs. Here are two highly respected companies we work with regularly:

• Status:
   Primarily admitted in Massachusetts
• Use:
   Personal and commercial lines, with some non-admitted options in other states
• Owned by:
   Berkshire Hathaway
  🔗  usli.com

• Status:
   Fully admitted in Massachusetts
• Use:
   Specialized commercial policies (nonprofit, real estate, education)
• Non-admitted use:
   Rare, mostly for niche risks
  🔗  phly.com

We typically explore non-admitted markets when:

• Your property is in a  coastal or high-risk zone
• You’re insuring a  vacant, historic, or short-term rental property
• You need  specialized liability or commercial protection
• You’ve been declined by standard carriers

In these cases, we turn to  trusted surplus lines carriers
 that have a proven track record of insuring unique risks.

Here are five of the most respected non-admitted carriers by market share and reputation:

1. Lloyd’s of London
    – Global leader in specialty and surplus coverage
   🔗  lloyds.com
2. Westchester Surplus Lines (a Chubb company)
    – Known for high-limit property and liability
   🔗  chubb.com
3. Scottsdale Insurance (Nationwide E&S)
    – Flexible solutions for high-risk and non-standard risks
   🔗  nationwide.com
4. AIG Specialty Insurance Company
    – Complex and large-risk personal and commercial policies
   🔗  aig.com
5. Aspen Specialty Insurance Company
    – Custom property and casualty insurance for niche needs
   🔗  aspenspecialty.com

Whether you’re placed with an admitted or non-admitted carrier, the most important thing is that you have:

• The right  coverage
• With the right  company
• At the right  price
• Backed by a team that  explains everything clearly

At  Vargas & Vargas Insurance
, that’s exactly what we do.

Let’s make sure your policy isn’t just “good enough” — it’s the  right fit
.

📞 Call us at  617-298-0655

📱 Text us at  617-409-0329

🌐 Request a quote at  VargasInsurance.com

We’ll walk you through your options from both admitted and non-admitted carriers — so you’re fully protected, fully informed, and never surprised.