Welcome to the 26th edition of the Troutman Pepper Locke LLP Excess and Surplus Lines Law Manual. Updated for 2026, this edition reflects all of the pertinent changes in the surplus lines laws and regulations of the 50 states and U.S. territories during the past year. You can use the links below to download a complete PDF of the manual or navigate directly to specific state or territory updates on our website.
Read More 2026 Excess and Surplus Lines Law Manual
Home State Definition
In the eighth episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner explore the definition of “home state” under the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA) — how it applies, the complexities of group policies, and the nuances of exposure based on risk location.
Read More Home State DefinitionThings Every Policy Needs
In the seventh episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, Zachary Lerner discusses what must be included in every surplus lines insurance policy: stamping language, service of suit clauses, and cancellation or non-renewal provisions.
Read More Things Every Policy NeedsBroker Licensing
In the sixth episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner explore the broker licensing requirement, covering common misconceptions, recent enforcement actions, state-specific exceptions, and the “three magic words” to think about.
Read More Broker LicensingDirect Procurement
In the fifth episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner explore the complexities of direct procurement, including key compliance considerations, home-state taxation, the attorney-in-fact model, and coverage restrictions that vary by jurisdiction.
Read More Direct ProcurementNow Available: Surplus Lines Update Portal – Weekly Subscription
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our Weekly Surplus Lines Update Portal, a comprehensive subscription service designed to help surplus lines carriers and brokers stay ahead of regulatory developments across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Navigating the surplus lines marketplace requires constant vigilance, and this portal delivers
Read More Now Available: Surplus Lines Update Portal – Weekly SubscriptionFinancial Responsibility in the Surplus Lines Market
In the fourth episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner discuss why using surplus lines insurance to satisfy state financial responsibility requirements can be problematic and varies by state, and why newer rideshare laws provide clarity that traditional commercial auto insurance lacks.
Read More Financial Responsibility in the Surplus Lines MarketUK, Bermuda and EU Markets: For US Business, Ditch Direct Procurement, Go Surplus Lines
This article was originally published on Insurance Business UK and is republished here with permission as it originally appeared on December 23, 2025.
It’s a tale as old as time: A U.S. insurance broker wants to place bespoke coverage for its U.S. client. Sometimes, it’s a layer within a commercial tower. Perhaps there are some participating admitted (licensed) U.S. carriers, mixed in with an array of eligible surplus lines insurers. But alas, satisfying all layers through the admitted and surplus lines markets proves allusive, so the broker approaches an unauthorized carrier in Bermuda, a European country, or another non-U.S. jurisdiction. It makes sense, right? The broker tried its best to find coverage another way, and it wants to do right by its client.
Read More UK, Bermuda and EU Markets: For US Business, Ditch Direct Procurement, Go Surplus LinesDemystifying Surplus Lines Group Insurance
In the third episode of our Surplus Lines 360 series, John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner unpack one of the hottest regulatory topics in surplus lines: group insurance. Learn how affiliated and unaffiliated groups are treated under the NRRA, why “home state” determination drives compliance and tax obligations, and the state-by-state rules that can make or break a group structure.
Read More Demystifying Surplus Lines Group InsuranceUnderstanding the Surplus Lines Broker’s Role: Key Responsibilities and Regulatory Insights
Join Troutman Pepper Locke Partners John Emmanuel and Zachary Lerner as they break down the critical role of surplus lines brokers in insurance transactions. Learn the distinctions between admitted and surplus lines markets, the unique responsibilities brokers shoulder, and the regulatory requirements that shape their relationships with agents. Gain practical insights into enforcement actions and the importance of careful delegation in surplus lines placements.
Read More Understanding the Surplus Lines Broker’s Role: Key Responsibilities and Regulatory Insights