What is the role of a surplus lines agent?

The role of a surplus lines agent is primarily to place business with non-admitted insurance carriers. Non-admitted carriers are insurers that do not have a license to operate in a specific state but can offer coverage for risks that standard insurers may not cover. Surplus lines agents typically facilitate access to these non-traditional markets, providing options for unique or high-risk situations that standard insurance products may not adequately address. By doing so, they help clients find appropriate solutions for specialized needs that would otherwise remain unprotected.

The function of offering standard insurance products is characteristic of admitted carriers, which can operate within the regulatory framework of individual states. Similarly, while surplus lines agents may work across state lines, their core focus is not confined to operating exclusively within a single state. Creating new insurance products is also not a primary responsibility; rather, surplus lines agents leverage existing products from non-admitted carriers to serve their clients.