An insurer headquartered outside of the United States is referred to as what?

An insurer headquartered outside of the United States is referred to as an alien insurer. This designation indicates that the company is licensed and operates in its home country but is not based in the U.S. Domestic insurers are those that are incorporated and mainly operate within the specific state, while foreign insurers are companies that are based in one state but operate in another. The term "international insurer" is not commonly used in insurance terminology to describe the location of an insurer's headquarters in relation to the U.S.

The correct classification of an alien insurer helps delineate how different regulatory frameworks apply, as each jurisdiction has its own rules governing insurance operations and company licensing. Recognizing these classifications is crucial for understanding surplus lines and how they fit into the broader insurance market landscape.