In collaboration with the National Association of ProfessionalSurplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO), The Institutes have developed anonline course intended to provide a primer on the fundamentals ofsurplus lines.

Said to be appropriate for anyone seeking to understand thenuances of the surplus lines market, Surplus LinesFundamentals consists of four concise assignments, each ofwhich focuses on the following:

1. Why the surplus lines market is needed

2. How the surplus lines distribution system works and how it isregulated.
3. How surplus lines insurers differ from admitted insurers.
4. How underwriting expertise and form/rate flexibility allow thesurplus lines market to successfully insure risks that the admittedmarket has declined.

According to The Institutes, the course is ideal for trainingnew hires at surplus lines insurers, wholesale brokers, managinggeneral agents, and program managers. It is also useful for retailagents and brokers who want to learn how to access the surpluslines market when they encounter a hard-to-place risk.

“Surplus Lines Fundamentals will help beginners tounderstand the operation of the surplus lines market and preparefor their job duties and further training,” says Arthur Flitner,CPCU, senior director of knowledge resources at The Institutes.

Flitner worked closely with NAPSLO's education director, RandallJones, to plan and oversee development of the course.

“This new offering supplements NAPSLO's surplus lines schools,the CEU courses, and also the Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance(ASLI) designation,” says NAPSLO President Bob Sargent, CPCU, RPLU,ARM. “Together, these programs help NAPSLO members ensure theiremployees continue to develop their specialty lines expertise theyneed to assist their customers.”

Learners who complete the course and built-in assessments earnan online certificate of completion. A separate online exam will berequired only if the learner wishes to earn continuing education(CE) credit. The Institutes are filing the course for CEcredit in all but two states, however eventually it will be filedin all states.

For more information about this new course offering,visit The Institutes' Website.