News from the Surplus Lines Industry and InsCipher
The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) has released Bulletin 2026-02, announcing a decrease to the FSLSO service fee from 0.06% to 0.03% for all new and renewal policies effective on or after July 1, 2026, including subsequent endorsements to those policies. Policies effective prior to July 1, 2026, and their subsequent endorsements will continue to use the service fee percentage in effect at the policy’s inception.
We will update the portal accordingly to reflect this change ahead of the effective date.
The New York State Department of Financial Services has announced that it will grant 30-day penalty waivers for the surplus lines annual tax filing.
Excess line brokers are required to pay taxes on all business they procure and electronically file an annual premium tax statement by March 15 of each year.
In accordance with Insurance Law Section 9109{b), the Superintendent may waive penalties for excusable delays in required filings. In recognition of questions some brokers have in connection with accessing DFS ID - the Department's new single-sign-on system - the Superintendent has waived penalties related to the delay of excess line broker tax filings through April 14, 2026.
Brokers seeking assistance with DFS ID, including step-by-step user guides, instructional videos, FAQs, and a Help Form, should visit www.dfs.ny.gov/DFSID.
Please review the SLIP+ announcement below for important information regarding the upcoming Kansas onboarding webinar they will be hosting. The announcement also outlines recent updates to the SLIP+ website, including the addition of a dedicated Kansas state page with key resources and guidance to support the transition:
We will host the Kansas onboarding process with an introductory webinar on Thursday, March 26 from 3-4PM (EST), which will cover:
To support agents through the transition, we’ve created a dedicated state page with everything you need leading up to, and following, the launch.
On the Kansas State Page, you’ll find:
Visit the Kansas state page anytime to stay up to date as new materials and guidance are added throughout the onboarding period.
For quick updates and onboarding support, follow SLIP+ on LinkedIn. It’s another easy way to stay in the loop as Kansas moves through their respective launch process.
SLIP+ has released additional details regarding Louisiana’s transition to the SLIP+ platform for surplus lines filings and tax reporting beginning July 1, 2026. Partners are encouraged to review the official SLIP+ bulletin for system guidance and implementation information.
SLIP+ for States has announced updated Colorado filing requirements effective April 1, 2026. Colorado surplus lines policies, endorsements, audits, or cancellations with effective dates January 1, 2022 and forward that were not previously reported through the Colorado Division of Insurance (CO DOI) must be submitted through SLIP+ for States.
Applicable filings remain subject to the 3% Colorado surplus lines tax, and certain transactions effective January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024 will not incur the SLIP+ transaction fee.
Please review the full bulletin for detailed guidance and filing examples: Bulletin
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued Bulletin 2026-03 announcing the adoption of SLIP+ For States effective July 1, 2026. Effective that date, the 4.85% tax, along with the new 0.175% SLIP+ transaction fee, will apply to applicable filings submitted through the electronic reporting and payment system.
Please review the announcement below from the Surplus Lines Association of Washington outlining their branding updates and portal improvements:
Today we are proud to introduce the new brand and website of the Surplus Lines Association of Washington!
A brand-new look...and modernized tools to support you!
Our updated brand identity reflects our role as a trusted resource and guiding presence in the surplus lines marketplace.
Along with our new branding, we're also releasing:
Explore our new website! Watch the Launch Video!
Please be advised that some partners may have received notices from SLIP+ For States indicating that their Colorado 2025 Annual Zero Report was not filed.
SLIP+ For States confirmed:
Following additional clarification from the South Dakota Department of Insurance, we have removed the prior fee restriction related to broker fees effective January 1, 2026, and forward.
The Department has confirmed that any fee charged to the consumer must:
South Dakota Codified Laws § 58-11-1 provides:
“Premium is the consideration for insurance, by whatever name called. Any assessment, or any membership, policy, survey, inspection, service, or similar fee or other charge made by an insurer or insured in consideration for an insurance contract is deemed part of the premium.”
We would like to inform you that ELANY has released Bulletin 2026-07. This bulletin provides important updates and guidance impacting excess line placements and related regulatory requirements.
Please review the full bulletin at the link here.