FAQ & Resources
Filing
How do I file a transaction with the Surplus Line Association of Idaho?
Idaho law requires a broker to submit an e-filing with the Surplus Line Association of Idaho (Stamping Office) within 30 days of policy receipt by the licensed broker. Once you are registered to file in Idaho, submissions are made electronically through the Idaho SLA Broker Portal.
When do I file an endorsement?
An amended report of coverage must be filed with the association for each cancellation and each endorsement which changes the named insured, the description or location of the subject of insurance, or the coverage, conditions, terms, premium or participating insurers. If an endorsement does not modify the policy as referenced above, and does not include additional or return premium, do NOT file. An endorsement must be filed within 30 days of the broker receiving the policy endorsement.
What documents are required when I file a transaction?
- For New and Renewal transactions, you must upload a Declarations Page (sometimes referred to as a Dec Page, Policy Document/Contract, or Cover Page) listing the policy amounts and terms.
- For Endorsement transactions (Additional Premium, Return of Premium, Flat Cancel, Audit) a copy of the Endorsement Document must be uploaded.
- If the insured is an ECP, then an ECP certificate must be uploaded.
Do I need to upload a diligent search form if I’m filing a transaction for a non-exportable line of business?
Diligent search forms do not need to be submitted with policy filings; however, they must be retained in your records for at least five years in case of an audit. If you choose to include the form with your filing, please select “Diligent Search” as the document type.
Do I have to use the Broker Portal to file?
Yes. The approved filing method is an electronic filing form (e-Filing) submitted through the Idaho SLA Broker Portal. Idaho does not accept paper filings.
Is there specific wording that needs to be stamped on the contract?
Yes. Every contract procured and delivered as a surplus line coverage must be countersigned by the broker who procured it, and must have conspicuously stamped upon it in RED ink with at least 10 pt. BOLD print the verbiage below. Alternatively, the text may be in BLACK ink with at least 12 pt. BOLD print.
EXAMPLES:
THIS SURPLUS LINE CONTRACT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE IDAHO INSURANCE LAWS BY AN INSURER NOT LICENSED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE. THERE IS NO COVERAGE PROVIDED FOR SURPLUS LINE INSURANCE BY EITHER THE IDAHO INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION OR BY THE IDAHO LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION. ________________________ (Name and NPN of Broker)
Please include the SL broker’s NPN on the policy document for identification.
THIS SURPLUS LINE CONTRACT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE IDAHO INSURANCE LAWS BY AN INSURER NOT LICENSED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE. THERE IS NO COVERAGE PROVIDED FOR SURPLUS LINE INSURANCE BY EITHER THE IDAHO INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION OR BY THE IDAHO LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION. ________________________ (Name and NPN of Broker)
Please include the SL broker’s NPN on the policy document for identification.
Stamping Fee, Late Fee, and Premium Tax
How much is the Surplus Line Stamping Fee?
Each broker shall pay to the association a stamping fee of .5% (.005) of the Taxable Premium for the review of surplus line transactions accepted during the month. Stamping fee is rounded to the nearest dollar (.50 & greater, up – .49 and less, down).
- Broker Fees, Policy Fees, Inspection Fees, Exam Fees, Audit Fees, and other like fees are deemed taxable premium.
- Endorsement stamping fees are calculated on the effective date of the originating policy.
- Stamping Fees are fully earned and not returned unless the policy is canceled flat.
- Reinstatements are subject to stamping fees.
- Stamping Fees are invoiced on the first day of each month for all filings processed by our office during the previous month. Invoices are payable through the Broker Portal and are due within 30 days.
What is the State of Idaho premium tax rate?
The ANNUAL premium tax is currently 1.50% and is paid to the State of Idaho on surplus line coverages written by a broker using unauthorized eligible insurers. Surplus Line premium tax is the same rate of tax as imposed by law on the premiums of like coverages written by authorized insurers.
- Electronic reporting of tax is MANDATORY. If no business is written for a calendar year, you must still file and report “0.” Penalty for late reporting is assessed at $25.00/day commencing April 2. Select this document Annual SL Premium Tax Filing & Payment Procedures.
- Premium and premium tax is rounded to the nearest dollar (.50 & greater, up – .49 and less, down). If the policy is a multi-state risk, premium tax and stamping fee is assessed only if Idaho is the home state as defined in 41-1213(7)(a).
What Types of Late Fees are Assessed by SLA-ID and How do I pay them?
- Late Payment Fee: $25.00 per month for all invoices paid 1 or more days after invoice due date, and every 31 days thereafter until paid. Late Payment Fees are added to the invoice that is past due and payable with that invoice via the Broker Portal.
- Late Filing Fee: $25.00 for policies, audits, and endorsements–including additional, return and flat flat-cancellation–filed 31 or more days after the broker receives policy documentation. Late Filing Fees are included on the monthly Stamping Fee invoices. Any filings submitted to our office 31 or more days after the broker received the policy documentation are subject to a $25 Late Filing Fee. Late filing fees appear on the monthly stamping fee invoices.
- Late Flagged Response Fees: $10 weekly fee for each flagged filing that is not corrected and resubmitted within 10 days of being flagged. Late Flagged Response Fees are invoiced weekly and are payable within 30 days via the Broker Portal.
Can I make a partial payment for an invoice?
No. All invoices must be paid in full by their due date to avoid late payment fees.
What payment methods are available?
All payments are made from the Broker Portal via Stripe. You will need to link a bank account to your Broker Account and Stripe via the Invoice Payment screen the first time you pay an invoice.
What if I can only pay by check?
Payments made via check are subject to a $20 check processing fee.
Where are annual statements and premium tax payments filed?
- The original report and premium tax payment must be transmitted electronically by the licensed Broker to the Idaho Insurance Department through TriTech, and are due March 1st.
- Your Annual Premium Total must match exactly what has been processed and totaled by the SLA stamping office during the previous calendar year. If you had no transactions for the calendar year, simply enter Zero.
- Tax payment is made in full annually on or before March 1. A $25.00 per day penalty is assessed by the Department of Insurance commencing April 2nd for late payments and reporting – including reports of $0 premium reports..
- Premium and premium tax is rounded to the nearest dollar (.50 & greater, up – .49 and less, down).
Surplus Line Association Membership & Broker Portal Access
Membership in the Idaho Surplus Line Association is mandatory - How do I register?
All producers licensed as surplus lines brokers with the State of Idaho must become members of the Surplus Line Association: 41-1214(1). SLA Idaho initiates a Membership Account for you when the DOI notifies us of your licensure.
How can I gain access to the Broker Portal?
When the Surplus Line office receives notification from the Idaho Department of Insurance of a new broker licensed in Idaho, that broker will be added to the Broker Portal and an activation email sent to the email provided to us by the DOI. It is important that you provide a current and accessible email address with the DOI or you will not be able to complete your portal activation.
How do I give someone in my staff/office the ability to access the Broker Portal on my behalf?
As a broker, you have the appropriate permissions to add users who are associated with your account and to control their level of access. You may also grant an added user the ability to invite additional users. See “Adding an Associated User in the Broker Portal” for details.
ServiceDesk
New E-file System: The Surplus Line Association of Idaho now uses the Idaho Surplus Line Association Suite for its surplus lines processing.
The Idaho SLA Suite brings a host of automation features, allowing for faster and more accurate surplus lines filing and reporting.
Useful Links & Affiliations
Find links to related SLAs and affiliations below.
Surplus Lines Primer
Intended to provide an overview and introduction to the surplus lines market. They have been created in collaboration with and support of the members of the state and national trade organizations and stamping offices representing the surplus lines insurance industry listed here.