What must a certificate of authority specify?

• A. It authorizes the insurer to engage in the business of insurance and must state the specific kinds of insurance authorized.
• B. It is valid only for the duration of a licensing period.
• C. It authorizes any financial services the insurer chooses.
• D. It requires no specific types of insurance to be listed.

Answer: (A)

A certificate of authority defines exactly what an insurer is allowed to do in the state. It isn’t a blanket permission to offer any service; it specifically authorizes the insurer to engage in the business of insurance and, crucially, must list the kinds of insurance the company is permitted to write. This scope-of-authority detail helps regulators and consumers know which lines the insurer operates in, such as property, casualty, life, or health, and prevents unauthorized activity.

The other ideas miss the key point: the certificate isn’t just a time-limited credential, nor does it grant blanket access to all financial services, and it isn’t accurate to say no specific types need to be listed. The essential requirement is that the certificate names the specific kinds of insurance that are authorized.