In the past, most wholesale insurance intermediaries represented what are known as Excess & Surplus Lines Insurance Companies (E&S). These are insurers regulated in their home state, but are not an “Admitted Carrier” in other states in which they are doing business. Traditionally, E&S companies made insurance available to insureds who could not find coverage from standard (admitted) insurers.
Fast forward to today, most wholesalers also represent a number of admitted carriers for lines of business that are traditionally thought of as standard products, as well as for specialized coverages which few agents run across on a regular basis.
Today’s Wholesale Insurance Intermediary represents the gamut from standard admitted lines insurers, excess & surplus lines insurers and specialty niche carriers. Wholesale intermediaries are an important supplement to every retail insurance agency, providing expertise and market access for every form of insurance.
OAPSLO recognized the trends in wholesale risk distribution at its outset and incorporated as Specialty Lines Offices, rather than the more limiting “Surplus Lines Offices”.
We welcome wholesale insurance intermediaries, regardless of the classes or lines of business they offer, to become members of OAPSLO. Associate membership is open to insurers, retail agencies and other related service providers in the insurance marketplace.