About Us
Our Mission
The Surplus Line Association of Idaho (SLA Idaho) is a nonprofit trade association established in 1958 and incorporated in 1972. Independently governed by a board of directors elected by our membership, we play a vital role in supporting the regulation and oversight of Surplus Lines insurance in Idaho.
As one of 15 stamping offices in the United States, SLA Idaho assists the Idaho Department of Insurance by reviewing Surplus Lines filings, promoting transparency within the nonadmitted insurance market, and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations.
We proudly serve as a bridge between the insurance industry, state regulators, and Idaho insureds. Through education, diligent review, and ongoing support, SLA Idaho helps ensure the Surplus Lines insurance remains a secure, compliant, and accessible solution for covering the hard-to-place risks critical to Idaho’s businesses, communities, and economy.
Staff & Board Members
Staff
Officers
Greg Swenson
President
Higgins & Rutledge Insurance
P.O. Box 8567
Boise, ID 83707
Phone: 208-343-7741
Jacob Florence
VP & President-Elect
Hub International
157 River Vista Place
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: 208-734-1711
Tom L Webster
Secretary-Treasurer
Risk Placement Services
485 East Riverside Drive, Suite 300
Eagle, ID 83616
Phone: 208-246-8813
Jan Christensen
Immediate Past-President
Christensen & Associates Insurance Agency
P.O. Box 5538
Boise, ID 83705
Phone: 208-345-6852
Directors
Jordan Redman
Region I
Redman & Company Insurance
1410 S Lincoln Way, Suite 100
Coeur D’alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208-664-5263
Mike Martin
Region II
Martin Insurance
P.O. Box 699
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: 208-743-6543
Jason Swan
Region III
Ricketts and Associates, Inc
13177 W Persimmon Ln
Boise, ID 83713
Phone: 208-869-8828
Mike Henderson
Region IV
CRC GROUP
3597 E Monarch Sky Ln
Meridian, ID 83646
Phone: 208-350-7008
Staci Matheson
Region V
The Hartwell Corporation
P.O. Box 51019
Idaho Falls, ID 83405
Phone: 208-522-5656
Surplus Lines Insurance – What is it?
Most insurance in Idaho is written by insurance companies licensed by the Idaho Department of Insurance and protected by the Idaho Guaranty Fund. These companies are regulated by the State in a variety of ways, including restrictions on the amount of premium charged and policy forms used. However, licensed companies will not provide all the insurance coverage needed by Idaho citizens. With the exception of “Eligible Lines for Export”, a needed coverage must first be rejected by licensed companies before it can be written in the surplus lines market, and then only by eligible companies on the Idaho “White List” or the NAIC Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers. Surplus Line policies must be placed through licensed resident or non-resident Surplus Line Brokers.
The Idaho Department of Insurance does not directly regulate the rates and policy forms used by Surplus Line insurers. This provides the flexibility needed to write the hard-to-place risks found in the Surplus Lines market. The typical types of risks written in Surplus Lines include those that:
- Are high risk (explosive manufacturing)
- Do not fit standard market underwriting
- Require higher limits than offered by standard markets
- Have excessive loss history
- Specialty coverage (one day events and unique situations)
What is the surplus line stamping office?
The Surplus Line Association of Idaho was organized in 1958 and incorporated in 1972 as an Idaho 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association. The association exists under Insurance regulation and is independently governed by a board of directors elected by SLA Idaho membership. The SLA assists the insurance director in regulating Surplus Lines insurance and encourages its members to comply with all provisions of Title 41, Chapter 12 and additional rules and regulations with respect to the placement of Surplus Lines.
SLA Idaho is not funded from the general revenues of the State of Idaho. We are funded by a processing fee, called a “stamping fee”, earned for review of Surplus Line coverages. Hence the term, STAMPING OFFICE.
The concept of stamping offices originated in California in 1939. Currently, 15 stamping/service offices exist across the US, which collectively account for over 60% of all Surplus Lines insurance written nationally.
A.M. Best concluded in a 1996 study of Surplus Lines insurer solvency, that stamping/service offices have proven effective in promoting “a strong working relationship between the Surplus Lines market and state regulators.” That statement is as true today as in 1996. In addition to Best, the WSIA (Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association) and other E&S industry groups support the operation of stamping offices as beneficial to industry, regulators, and insureds.
What does the stamping office do?
Each licensed Idaho Surplus Lines broker must electronically provide to our office an affidavit for each Surplus Lines insurance policy written. We review these documents for adherence to Idaho code and rules, and report transactions, premium tax and data to the Idaho Director of Insurance. The Stamping Office compiles statistical information on the Idaho Surplus Line market (such as types of coverage and volume of premium written), and provides copies of broker records, as requested, to the Department of Insurance. SLA staff offers technical assistance and education to licensees and the public regarding Surplus Lines insurance.
No action or inaction of this association shall relieve any member and/or broker of responsibility to comply with the law. Each member shall hold harmless the association, its board of directors, manager and employees from any liability that may arise by reason of any member’s failure to comply with any law.
Antitrust statement… The Surplus Line Association of Idaho intends to comply fully with all laws and regulations applicable to its operations. The antitrust laws aim to protect the public from agreements between competitors that affect the price or distribution of products, while promoting fair and vigorous competition in the marketplace. Each Idaho member is solely responsible for their own compliance with these guidelines and with federal and state antitrust laws.