In collaboration with the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO), The Institutes have developed an online course intended to provide a primer on the fundamentals of surplus lines.

Said to be appropriate for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of the surplus lines market, Surplus Lines Fundamentals consists of four concise assignments, each of which focuses on the following:

1. Why the surplus lines market is needed

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

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

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