The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) will be releasing new versions of all Submission Software in late September.

Surplus lines agent submitters should be aware that Agent Software v3.0 will have noted changes including a new transaction type. The new transaction type will be a "reinstatement" and will be available for agent reporting (agents software, SLIP and FTP submit).

Other changes to the agent software will include a requirement for a current email address for both the surplus lines agent and the submission contact. Submitters will also be required to enter valid billing contact information. For the agent submission software, these changes will be programmed into release v3.0. Agent FTP submitters may view the new file format, including the reinstatement business rules, by visiting: www.fslso.com/goto.aspx?id=142

For insurers' submission software, changes were made to include the requirement of email addresses for the insurer contact, as well as the requirement to associate all policies with at least one of three entities (agency, agent, or broker). For insurer FTP submitters, the new file format is available at: www.fslso.com/goto.aspx?id=143

Although v3.0 will be made available during the week of September 25th, submitters should not use the new version for filing until October 3, 2006. Agents and insurers may download the software by visiting www.fslso.com/software/index.aspx when it becomes available.

Beginning Tuesday, October 3, 2006, only submissions made using v3.0 software or SLIP (agent only) will be accepted. Submissions filed on October 3rd or beyond using previous versions of the software or not meeting the v3.0 business rules as alluded to above, will be rejected.

If you have any questions regarding the download or installation of the new versions of the software, please contact FSLSO Technical Support by calling 800-562-4496 and selecting "3" from the phone menu. For questions relative to the new transaction type or submitting policy information, please contact Agent Relations by calling 800-562-4496, and selecting "1" from the menu.

The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) announces the availability of an online course as well as a DVD aimed at informing Florida retail agents of their roles and responsibilities in the surplus lines market.

Retail agents seeking continuing education credit have the opportunity to do so while learning more about surplus lines insurance through FSLSO's new online continuing education course, "The Retail Agent's Role in the Surplus Lines Market."

"Knowledge is a powerful tool," said FSLSO Executive Director, Gary Pullen, "and agents want to be informed in order to maintain their compliance with the law. By expanding our current educational offerings to include our newest course, we have the opportunity to help Florida's retail agents better understand how to access the surplus lines marketplace as an alternative for hard-to-place coverages, and inform them about their responsibilities in the placement of the surplus lines insurance coverage."

"The Retail Agent's Role in the Surplus Lines Market" has several main areas of focus, which include an overview of Florida's surplus lines marketplace and the placement of insurance through various channels of the distribution system. Retail agents will explore the responsibilities they undertake when accessing the surplus lines market including a look at applicable statutes. The course also introduces the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office as an informational resource for retail agents to learn more about surplus lines, and the products and services available to them.

To enroll in the course, students may go to www.fslso.com/education/ and select "FSLSO Retail Agent's Role in the Surplus Lines Market." Florida licensed and appointed surplus lines agents may take this course free of charge; all others are required to pay a nominal fee of $40. After enrollment into the course has been completed, students may enter and exit the program through a login and password anytime for the duration of 30 days. The course is divided into five chapters, each with a "mini-quiz" as quick review of the chapters' material.After completing all five chapters, the student is provided with a final exam in which they have two attempts to score a passing score of 70%. Upon completion of the course bearing a passing score, students are provided a certificate of completion and two hours of property and casualty continuing education credit.

In addition to the two-hour course, the FSLSO has also created a 10-minute DVD entitled "Surplus Lines Insurance for the Retail Agent" that shares information about Florida's surplus lines industry and summarizes the responsibilities of the retail agent in the placement of surplus lines insurance coverage.

"The DVD provides an overview of retail agent's responsibilities and the different resources that are available to them," commented Assistant Director, Sean Fisher. "We would like our member agents to take advantage of this new product as a way of helping their current and potential retail agents understand more about the industry, their responsibilities in being compliant with the law, and how FSLSO serves as an informational resource to assist them."

The DVD is available at no cost, and maybe ordered by visiting the FSLSO website at www.fslso.com/publications.

As the first "paperless" stamping office, the FSLSO strives to integrate the areas of technology, regulation and education in a continuous effort to better serve Florida agencies, agents, and support staff. With education and information as forerunners for course development, the FSLSO will continue to keep all its resources, references and programs updated with the latest legislative and marketplace changes.

For more information regarding the products listed above or other educational products and services, please contact FSLSO (800) 562-4496.

The FSLSO was created by the Florida Legislature as a self-regulating, not-for-profit association to protect public revenues by facilitating industry compliance and serving as a source of information and assistance concerning the surplus lines insurance marketplace in the state of Florida.

The FSLSO will be perform its month-end invoicing processes at 4:00PM, EST on August 1, 2006. Transactions  submitted and accepted by the FSLSO by 12:00AM, EST on July 31, 2006 will be included.

Also, if you have not remitted payment for DFS taxes, DCA EMPA surcharges, or Citizens assessments, please do so today to avoid finance charges or possible administrative action. Payment is due by 7/31/2006.

And, do not forget that FSLSO service office fees are due by the 25th of every month.

For all foreign insurers, an electronic premium report is due July 31, 2006. The quarterly report of policy information should be submitted electronically and include: policy number, effective date, premium amount and name of insured. In the event there is nothing to report, the insurer is still required to submit a "No Business" letter in lieu of the report.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 626.9361, a $500 fine per day for each day the failure continues applies to any eligible surplus lines insurer who fails to file a report in the form and within the time required as provided for in the Surplus Lines Law. This begins the day after the report was due and until the date the report is received. Failure to file a report may also result in withdrawal of eligibility as a surplus lines insurer in Florida.

Second Quarter 2006 Quarterly Report Affidavits are due July 31.

If you have not mailed your 2nd Quarter Affidavit, please note that you can be fined up to $50 per day, beginning the day after the affidavit is due until the day it is received by the FSLSO. An updated affidavit can be downloaded from the FSLSO website at:
http://www.fslso.com/publications/forms/index.aspx

All affidavits should be mailed to:
FSLSO
1441 Maclay Commerce Dr.
Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32312

Should you need assistance, please contact Lisa French at 800-562-4496, ext. 106.