Industry Career Paths: 
Consider One of the Many Careers in the Surplus Lines Industry 

If you’re interested in a career in the surplus lines market, there are two types of employers that can help you launch an exciting career – 1) wholesale brokerage firms and 2) surplus lines insurance companies. 

Wholesale Brokerage Firm
A wholesale brokerage firm identifies appropriate insurance companies to insure unusual or hard-to-place risks. Wholesale brokerage firms are often actively recruiting for these three positions (for a more in-depth description, click on the positions): 

• Wholesale Broker, an intermediary who works with the retail insurance broker to analyze exposures and  “place” challenging accounts with surplus lines insurance companies; responsible for sales and business development.                                              
• Account Manager,  a professional who services and oversees specialty insurance programs for various types of accounts.                                               
• Underwriter,  someone with keen analytic skills, who can evaluate and price individual risks; works with surplus lines insurance companies create and develop insurance coverage, policies and specialized programs for niche industries.

Surplus Lines Insurance Company
A surplus lines insurance company underwrites specialized insurance coverage for hard-to-place risks. Surplus lines insurance companies insure accounts that cannot be placed with the standard insurance market. Common positions include: 

• Underwriter, similar to the underwriter working at a wholesale brokerage firm, this position requires both creativity and analytical skills to evaluate, price, and set coverage conditions for accounts submitted by wholesale brokers.                                              
• Claims,  professionals who play a critical role in analyzing overall liabilities related to the loss and settlement of a claim.                                              
• Loss Control and Risk Management, these specialists assist insureds in analyzing past claims and loss activity to identify and address high-risk areas, as well as adverse exposures and liabilities.                                              
• Actuary, a position that plays a key role in designing insurance coverage, determining the cost of premiums, monitoring the profitability of a surplus insurance company, and recommending corrective action when appropriate.

Departments at Both Organizations
These two employers also offer positions in similar departments (for a more in-depth description, click on the departments)

• Product Development: Develop new insurance programs.                                              
• Finance and Business Planning: Analyze performance to improve bottom line.                                               
• Information Technology: Develop and manage software solutions.                                              
• Sales and Marketing: Key to business development and customer service.                                               
• Human Resources: Recruitment, training, development, and compensation.                                                
• Accounting: Manage complex finances and the company’s balance sheet.                                               
• Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to appropriate laws and regulations.  

Opportunities in Management and Business Ownership
The industry also affords opportunities in executive management and business ownership. There are many Success Stories within our organization of members who have become top executives at multi-million dollar companies, built their own successful brokerage firm, or founded a new insurance company.

Ancillary Careers within Surplus Lines Industry
Additional careers can also be found in ancillary companies that serve the surplus lines industry such as reinsurers, reinsurance brokerage, third-party claims administrators, law firms, software vendors, and a wide variety of  consultants.

Click Here for More on Career Paths!
For a more comprehensive view of potential career opportunities and paths within the surplus lines industry, see our Career Path Diagram  and more In-depth Job Descriptions. 

Current Career openings offered by firms that are members of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) can be viewed on our Job Locator page at jobs.napslo.org.