---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 8223"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "8223"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/8223"
units:
  - "Chapter 108 — State-Based Insurance Reform"
  - "Subchapter II — Reinsurance"
---

# §8223. Definitions


For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply:

- (1) **Ceding insurer—** The term “ceding insurer” means an insurer that purchases [reinsurance](/usc/15/8206.md?p=14).
- (2) **Domiciliary State—** The terms “State of domicile” and “domiciliary State” mean, with respect to an insurer or [reinsurer](#5-A), the [State](/usc/15/8206.md?p=16) in which the insurer or [reinsurer](#5-A) is incorporated or entered through, and licensed.
- (3) **NAIC—** The term “[NAIC](/usc/15/8206.md?p=8)” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor entity.
- (4) **Reinsurance—** The term “[reinsurance](/usc/15/8206.md?p=14)” means the assumption by an insurer of all or part of a risk undertaken originally by another insurer.
- (5) **Reinsurer—**
  - (A) **In general—** The term “reinsurer” means an insurer to the extent that the insurer—
    - (i) is principally engaged in the business of [reinsurance](/usc/15/8206.md?p=14);
    - (ii) does not conduct significant amounts of direct insurance as a percentage of its net premiums; and
    - (iii) is not engaged in an ongoing basis in the business of soliciting direct insurance.
  - (B) **Determination—** A determination of whether an insurer is a [reinsurer](#5-A) shall be made under the laws of the [State of domicile](#2) in accordance with this paragraph.
- (6) **State—** The term “[State](/usc/15/8206.md?p=16)” includes any [State](/usc/15/8206.md?p=16) of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–203, title V, § 533, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1595.)