Surplus Lines

Surplus lines insurance is a specialty insurance which protects against financial risk that is too new, great, or uncommon for a regular insurance company to take on. It is important for consumers dealing with unusual or high-risk situations. There are no guarantee funds for surplus lines insurance.

State Regulators

Variable / Variable Products License

Sources

Investopedia - Understanding Surplus Lines Insurance

Related Blogs

Tax Reporting

Kansas Department of Insurance Adopts SLIP+ for Surplus Lines Tax Reporting

The Kansas Department of Insurance has announced the adoption of SLIP+ for reporting and payment of surplus lines premium taxes beginning April 1, 2026. The transition applies to policies effective January 1, 2026, and after, and introduces a 0.175% SLIP+ transaction fee in addition to the 3% surplus lines tax. Certain previously unreported policies dating back to January 1, 2024, must also be filed through SLIP+. Surplus lines brokers should review transition examples and reporting timelines to ensure compliance.

All Audiences

Alaska Confirms No Changes to Surplus Lines Placement List What Order R 26-01 Means for Producing Brokers

The Alaska Division of Insurance has finalized Order R 26-01, confirming that no updates will be made to the state’s Surplus Lines Placement List. After a formal hearing and public comment period yielded no testimony or written submissions, the Director determined that the placement list adopted under prior orders will remain unchanged. This order provides continued regulatory clarity for producing brokers regarding due diligence requirements and surplus lines placement standards effective January 5, 2026.

Compliance Management

All Audiences

D.C. Mandates OPTins for Surplus Lines Premium Tax Filings Beginning 2026

The District of Columbia is modernizing its surplus lines premium tax reporting process. Under Bulletin 25-IB-002-09/04, the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) has confirmed that all surplus lines producers with authority in D.C. must transition to electronic filing through OPTins beginning January 1, 2026. This update impacts monthly and semi-annual reporting requirements and officially ends paper submissions. Producers should begin preparing now to ensure uninterrupted compliance when the mandate takes effect.