Questions & answers · Business insurance
My business insurer denied my claim and it is a surplus lines company. Can the state insurance department help?
Business insuranceOtherTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI View original ↗
In short
- Some business policies come from surplus lines companies.
- Texas says these companies must settle claims promptly and correctly.
- But TDI says they are generally not subject to state regulation, and TDI does not review their policies or rates.
What this means
TDI says some business interruption and business insurance policies are issued by surplus lines insurance companies. Surplus lines companies are required to settle claims promptly and correctly. However, they are generally not subject to state regulation, and TDI does not review surplus lines policies or rates [1].
This means a state complaint may work differently, or not at all, for such a policy. This TDI page does not say what TDI can do in a surplus lines complaint.
Your next step
Check the first page of your policy to see whether the company is "surplus lines" or "non-admitted". Then ask your agent or broker in writing for the claim decision and the policy wording relied on. The page gives no deadline.
Check it yourself
Open the TDI page and find the paragraph beginning "Some business interruption and business insurance policies are issued by surplus lines…".
Where this comes from (1)
[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
Some business interruption and business insurance policies are issued by surplus lines insurance companies. Surplus lines companies are required to settle claims promptly and correctly. However, they are generally not subject to state regulation. TDI doesn’t review surplus line policies or rates.
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
Related answers
Answer id CQ7023. Spotted an error? Tell us.