Increasingly, the world of insurance distribution has become highly specialized, utilizing technology and a multitude of parties to reach customers worldwide. The surplus lines industry is no exception. Surplus lines brokers are not merely intermediaries between insureds and eligible surplus lines insurers that may be interested in servicing a specialty insurance market.
Read MoreAutomobile insurance looks very different today than it did a generation ago. The means by which people (and goods) travel via motor vehicles continue to expand and evolve, as do businesses and their automobile insurance needs, especially in the gig economy and now with the current COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. No longer do individuals exclusively rely on traditional car rental companies for their temporary travel needs, as fleet-based services have grown exponentially, allowing for utilization of app-based technology to identify local vehicles for immediate use.
Read MoreMultiple developments occurred in the last few weeks throughout the United States relaxing diligent search standards in the surplus lines marketplace.
Read MoreAt the August 5, 2020, NAIC Summer National Meeting, the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force again tabled its new Blanks proposal regarding home state direct premium written.
Read MoreOn July 10, 2020, Lloyd’s of London (“Lloyd’s”) issued Market Bulletin Ref: Y5299 (the “Bulletin”) announcing that it will seek to relinquish its admitted licenses in Kentucky, Illinois and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Bulletin states that the decision “was a recognition that the E&S business is a better fit for our underwriters given the market’s innovative nature and expertise in emerging risks.”
Read MoreKent C. Sullivan, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) issued Order No. 2020-6384 on July 3, 2020, approving an amended Plan of Operation of the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLSOT).
Read MoreAfter weeks of deliberation, the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act, or “PRIA” has been introduced into the U.S. Congress. On May 26th, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced H.R. 7011, the “Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020” (the “Current PRIA Bill”).
Read MoreCOVID-19 is impacting all facets of the insurance industry, and while the surplus lines market is somewhat inoculated from the impact of various state orders and emergency regulations, many states as well as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) are subjecting surplus lines insurers and brokers to their mandates. This article provides a sample of various state and NAIC requests and orders in recent weeks with applicability to the surplus lines industry, including but not limited to moratoriums on cancellation/nonrenewal, orders to return premium with respect to insurance policies where COVID-19 has altered the nature of the underlying risk, and various data calls.
Read MoreWe are pleased to present this 20th Anniversary edition of our Excess and Surplus Lines Law Manual. 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. The website provides you with the ability to click on the states and territories of interest to view the updates.
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