Regulatory Updates

Posted January 6, New York excess line brokers may file "ZERO" premium tax statements through the DFS portal if they meet ALL of the following criteria: - No surplus lines business was written in New York for the year 2025; - No transactions were reported to Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) for any endorsements/cancellations; and - No premium taxes or credits are due for 2025 and prior years. Please see the attachment for more information.

Posted January 1, 2026, Pennsylvania posted a reminder that all surplus lines licensees (resident and non-resident) licensed are reminded to file and remit the collected gross premium surplus lines tax for the preceding calendar year. The surplus lines tax levied by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is three percent (3%) of taxable gross premiums, less any return premium for insurance placed with either an eligible surplus lines insurer or other non-admitted insurer. Tax payments of less than $1,000 may be mailed to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. However, tax payments of $1,000 or more MUST be made electronically. Please see the attachment for more information.

Effective February 2, 20256, Hawaii will implement OPTins for authorized captive insurance to electronically file their state premium tax statement and make electronic payments. Please see the attachment for more information.

Effective February 1, 2026, Wyoming company appointment renewal invoices will be available for payment through March 31, 2026.

The last day to terminate an appointment is January 31, 2026. Please see the attachment for more information. 

Effective June 18, 2026, New York will be updating wording around general requirements to obtain a limited license for residents and nonresidents. - To obtain a rental vehicle company, peer-to-peer car sharing program administrator, wireless communications equipment vendor, or self-service storage company limited license, an applicant must: - A limited licensee must not advertise, represent, or hold itself out as a licensed insurance agent or broker.  This restriction also applies to the licensee's employees. - At every location where rental vehicle, wireless communication equipment, or self-service storage agreements are executed, written materials must be readily available to the consumer, and with regard to a peer-to-peer car sharing program administrator, the administrator must provide written materials that: - Clearly summarize the material terms of coverage;  - Identify the insurer; - If wireless communications equipment insurance, identify the licensed agent;  - Disclose that these policies may duplicate coverage already provided under the renter's auto, homeowner's, personal liability insurance, or other source of coverage; - State that purchase of the insurance is not required;  - Describe the claim-filing process;  - Contain any other information on price, benefits, exclusions, conditions, or other limitations as required by the Superintendent;  - Disclose that employees at the location are not qualified or authorized to evaluate the adequacy of the purchaser's existing coverage, unless otherwise licensed; and  - State that the insurance may be cancelled at any time and any unearned premium will be refunded in compliance with applicable law. - A limited licensee must comply with all other licensing provisions.  However, a limited licensee need not treat premiums from renters in a fiduciary capacity if: premiums from renting motor vehicles, sharing a shared vehicle, purchasing or leasing wireless communications equipment, or renting storage space in a fiduciary capacity if:  - The insurer consents in writing that premiums need not be segregated from the money received for vehicle rental, peer-to-peer car sharing, storage space rental, or wireless communication equipment rental or purchase; and  - The charges for insurance are itemized but not billed separately from the charges for vehicle rental, shared vehicles, storage space rental, or wireless communication equipment purchase or lease. For more information, please use the following link 

Effective January 7, 2026, Virginia will display on the Producer Database the license class of Pharmacy Benefits Manager.

Effective January 7, 2026, Rhode Island will display on the Producer Database the following Lines of Business for the Company Fraternal license type. - Life - Accident and Health (Life) - Annuities

Idaho releases its December newsletter. Some highlights are: - **NAIC Accreditation:** The Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) has again earned NAIC accreditation, confirming strong financial oversight, regulatory excellence, and consumer protection while helping keep insurance markets stable and affordable in Idaho. - **Medicare Advantage Enforcement:** DOI Director Dean Cameron addressed NAIC leaders on unfair Medicare Advantage marketing practices affecting Idaho seniors. After carrier withdrawals and reduced plan options in 2024–2025, the Department identified actions that limited consumer choice and violated Idaho’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. - **1332 Waiver Update:** Public comments on Idaho’s 1332 reinsurance waiver extension and amendment are under review, with final submission to CMS planned for early 2026. - **DOI 2024 Annual Report:** The Department’s annual report for calendar year 2024 / fiscal year 2025 is now available online.

Please see the attachment for more information.

Posted December 30, 2025, the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) posted June’s edition of The Wire. Highlights include: - **Q4 Filing Reminder:** Fourth-quarter invoices process January 1. All filings and contact info must be complete by December 31. Unresolved URP or URF TIQs will prevent related credits from being processed. - **SLIP+ Update:** Agent contact information (primary, accounting, compliance) will now sync from the agency account and can only be edited at the agency level. Agents should review and update agency contacts in SLIP+. - **Surplus Lines Fees Guidance:** - Filing surplus lines agents may charge one reasonable per-policy fee, which must be listed on the policy and is taxable. - Retail agents may charge a separate per-policy fee, disclosed to the customer but not taxable or shown on the policy. - No additional or excess fees are permitted; improper fees must be refunded and may trigger compliance action. - **Insurer Update:** Rockingham Casualty Company is no longer an eligible surplus lines insurer in Florida as of November 5, 2025 (status changed to Withdrawn). Please see the attachment for more information.

Effective January 1, 2026, Vermont's Continuing Education (CEs) service fee will be updated. Please see the attachment for more information