It is acceptable to write coverage after the producer (agent) has engaged the process of searching for coverage with authorized insurers or when a Michigan resident insists that insurance be placed with an unauthorized insurer that is not recognized by the commissioner as eligible. The provisions of MCL 500.1910(2)(d), MCL 500.1910(3), MCL 500.1920(1), and MCL 500.1950 contemplate that a producer will make a search of authorized insurers in order to subsequently qualify the coverage as eligible to be written by a surplus lines insurer and that the producer offer surplus lines insurance only to insurers that are in stable and unimpaired financial condition.
Alternately, if the type of coverage is listed on the DIFS website on the Surplus Lines Eligible Insurance Coverages List (Export List), then a producer could automatically represent an insurer that could write that coverage in the surplus lines market.
Yes, the Michigan Insurance Code Chapter 12 and Chapter 19 require that producers be duly licensed in Michigan. DIFS issued an Insurance Bulletin 2016-15-INS “Procurement of Surplus Lines Business by Licensed Agents” to provide guidance regarding the activities an agent without a surplus lines licensure may engage in when obtaining coverage in the surplus lines market.”
Licensing
How to become licensed as a Resident Surplus Lines Producer
How to become licensed as a Non-Resident Surplus Lines Producer
Notice must be delivered to Policyholder
Per MCL 500.1922, “Each policy, cover note, or other instrument evidencing surplus lines insurance which is to be delivered to an insured or a representative of an insured shall have printed, typed, or stamped in red ink upon its face, in not less than 10-point type, the following notice: ‘This insurance has been placed with an insurer that is not licensed by the state of Michigan. In case of insolvency, payment of claims may not be guaranteed’ This notice shall not be covered over or concealed in any manner.”
Evidence of Placement with Eligible Unauthorized Insurer
Per MCL 500.1950, the licensee placing coverage with an insurer which is neither an authorized insurer nor an eligible unauthorized insurer shall:
(a) Mail or deliver to the resident the following notice: “This insurance has been placed with an insurer not licensed by the state of Michigan nor recognized by the insurance commissioner as an eligible unauthorized insurer. In case of any dispute relative to the terms or conditions of the policy or the practices of the insurer, the insurance commissioner may not be able to assist in the dispute. In case of insolvency, payment of claims is not guaranteed.” A copy of the notice shall be filed with the commissioner.
(b) Collect from the resident insured appropriate premium taxes and report the transaction to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner. If the resident insured fails to pay the taxes when due, the insured shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than $1,000.00, plus accrued interest from the inception of the insurance.”
Surplus Lines Taxes / Fees
Per MCL 500.1915,
(1) A licensee may charge a fee as follows:
(a) For a surplus lines insurance policy, a fee in addition to a commission only if the fee is not included in the premium and the fee is reasonable to cover underwriting and other expenses that are unique to surplus lines.
(b) For a personal lines insurance policy, a fee not to exceed the greater of $100.00 or 10% of the personal lines insurance policy premium.
(2) All of the following apply to a fee charged under subsection (1):
(a) The fee must not be excessive or discriminatory. The licensee shall maintain complete documentation of all fees charged and evidence of the disclosure required under subdivision (b).
(b) The fee must be fully disclosed in detail to the insured, whether directly or through another licensed insurance producer, in writing before the sale. The fee must be separately itemized on any of the following:
(i) The policy declarations page.
(ii) The billing statement.
(iii) Other documentation provided to the purchaser setting forth the cost of the policy.
(c) The fee must not be included as a part of the policy premium in the computation of premium taxes.
The Export List is a list of insurance coverages that are generally unavailable in the authorized insurance market.
Once a type of coverage is added to this list, for the period it remains on the list, producers are no longer required to engage the process of searching to place coverage with an authorized insurer. However, the producer is still responsible for ensuring that the insurer is in a stable and unimpaired financial condition.
Anyone
Extensive data includes:
Department of Insurance and Financial Services - Property and Casualty Section
P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, MI 48909
877-999-6442
