The mission of the Association is:
1. To protect persons seeking surplus line insurance in Oregon while encouraging the development of new and innovative types of insurance.
2. To assist the Oregon Insurance Division in the administration of surplus lines insurance regulations and to encourage compliance by surplus lines agents and insurers with the surplus lines laws of the state of Oregon.
3. To monitor and provide input for regulatory and legislative changes affecting the insurance industry and communicate those changes and related issues to association members.
4. To support and promote educational activities relating to the insurance and surplus lines industries.
5. To promote professionalism among members of the Association.
In furtherance of this mission, the Association shall:
1. Foster good public relations with the insurance industry and the general public.
2. Encourage an exchange of information among members and support the development and dissemination of educational information for the benefit of members and the excess and surplus lines insurance industry.
3. Maintain liaison with other segments of the insurance industry, including insurance commissioners, regulatory bodies, insurers, and insurance producer groups.
Insurance in the United States began in 1752. In the early years, the industry was essentially unregulated and it was "buyer beware". There were no government regulation or standards and policyholders often found that when it came time to collect a claim, the money wasn't there. Individual states passed legislation to address the issues but there was no real regulation until the 1850's. At that time, states began to establish insurance departments and in 1871 the insurance regulators of various states met in the first "commissioner" meeting to discuss issues of state regulation which they had in common. In subsequent meetings (now called National Association of Insurance Commissioners - NAIC - meetings), standards or model laws were established that all states were encouraged to adopt. Eventually all states developed a requirement that any insurance company desiring to do business in a state must become licensed or "admitted" in that state. Requirements for "admission" varied widely by state but all set minimum financial strength, reporting and taxation requirements. Generally, the states require each admitted insurer to file a schedule of rates it will use and require adherence to those "filed" rates in all policies issued.
Unfortunately, the admitted insurers have never been able to address all of the insurance needs of industry. In many cases, the unusual exposure presented is beyond the scope of the admitted market underwriters' experience, in others the magnitude of the potential loss exceeds the capacity of all of the admitted insurers combined. As industry has grown, so has the need for greater capacity and the ability of insurers to cover the new risks which are evolving. Early on, Lloyd's of London stepped forward to fill the gap created by the admitted insurers' inability to address some insurance requirements. The entrepreneurial underwriters at Lloyd's were alert to the great potential of this country and in 1890 Cuthbert Heath of Lloyd's wrote the first American risk ever, in Lloyd's "Non Marine" market. Recognizing that non- admitted insurers such as Lloyd's were necessary when admitted insurers were unable to fill industry's insurance needs, the regulators established special rules to permit the writing of insurance with non-admitted carriers under certain circumstances. As the coverage to be written was excess or "surplus" of the amount or type that could be written in the admitted market, the non-admitted market came to be known as the "Excess and Surplus Lines" market. All states have developed statutes controlling the placement of insurance in the non-admitted market. While requirements vary by state, they all require some minimum financial strength (established by statute) and confirmation that the coverage was not available in the admitted market. Most states require that the non-admitted transaction be handled by a specially qualified "surplus line" agent who is personally responsible for making sure that the insurer is qualified, that the coverage is not available in the admitted market and that the appropriate taxes are collected.
The Surplus Line Association of Oregon was originally formed in 1939 at the direction of the Insurance Commissioner of Oregon as an unincorporated Association of Surplus Line Brokers. Its purpose was to assist the Insurance Division in regulating and collecting taxes on the surplus line business written in Oregon.
In August of 1980, the Association was incorporated as a non-profit corporation for the following purposes:
To cooperate with recognized organizations of admitted insurance carriers and insurance agents for the proper use of the surplus line market by members of the corporation
To discourage and prevent violations of the law regarding surplus line insurance by members of the Association and insofar as possible, by non-members
To encourage fair dealing between members and with the public and admitted insurance carriers
To adopt and enforce rules, insofar as permitted by law, for the accomplishment of the objectives of the corporation
Under the Oregon Surplus Line Law, the Association also shall:
A. Be the advisory organization of the surplus line licensees.
B. Provide means for the examination of all surplus line coverages written by its members to determine whether such coverages comply with the law.
C. Communicate with organizations of admitted insurers with respect to the proper use of the surplus line market.
D. Supervise the calculation, reporting and remittance of the state premium tax due on surplus line placements. Supported by filing fees paid by policyholders on the approximately 27,851 (2009) new or renewal surplus line policies examined each year, the Association today continues its role of examining surplus line placements and reporting taxes to the state. In addition to its examining duties, the Association supports insurance education and research in the surplus line industry. An Executive Director and staff are employed to discharge these responsibilities subject to the oversight of a volunteer board of five directors elected from the membership.
EDUCATION: Graduated college in 2002 with a degree in Computer Technology and in 2003 received a degree in Networking Technology.BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Began her insurance career with McFall General Agency in 1990 as a Multi-Line Underwriter for over seven years. In 1997, moved to Morgan Premium Finance as the Operations Manager. In 2001, re-joined McFall General Agency as an Underwriter. In 2003, was promoted to a Vice-President and became the Commercial Underwriting Manager and Network Administrator for McFall. In 2007, co-founded a wholesale agency, Evergreen Insurance Managers, where she is currently Vice-President.CURRENT POSITION: Vice-President of Evergreen Insurance Managers, Inc. (wholesale insurance brokers).
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Santa Clara.BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Began insurance career as a commercial underwriter with Aetna Life and Casualty. Since then, has spent thirty-three years as a wholesale broker and MGA working for Voight Walker/Alexander Howden; Rathbone, King & Seeley; Independent Insurance Wholesalers; and presently with Bass Underwriters. Past board member and president of the SLAOR, and WSSLC Committee Chair for 1991, 1999 and 2008.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Began her insurance career in 1989 with Fred. S. James & Co., retail insurance brokers, as an assistant to the marketing manager. Remained with James through several mergers and acquisitions culminating when James was acquired by Marsh & McLennan. At the time of the merger, her title and responsibilities had advanced steadily and she had reached the level of Assistant Vice President, Account Executive, with responsibility for the placement and management of several of Marsh's larger Portland-based accounts. In 2002, left Marsh to join the team opening a Portland office of San Francisco-based Woodruff-Sawyer, Inc. where she is now a Vice President, Client Executive. Duties include responsibility for placement, management and acquisition of new accounts. Attended college and has pursued professional education in the insurance field. Acquired General Insurance Certification in 1990 and the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1992. In 1997, completed the required courses and received the CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) designation. On several occasions, has been the presenter of continuing education classes for peer groups of insurance professionals and risk managers. CURRENT POSITION: Vice-President of Woodruff-Sawyer, Inc. (retail insurance producers).
CURRENT POSITION: Vice-President of Woodruff-Sawyer, Inc. (retail insurance producers).
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Began insurance carrier in 1989 working for a retail insurance agency. For the next fifteen years, worked for three retail agencies in Iowa and Minnesota focusing on Personal & Commercial, Transportation and Office Management. In 2004, joined McFall General Agency as an Underwriter. In 2006 was promoted to Underwriting Manager. Hull & Company, Inc. purchased McFall General Agency in November 2007; became Vice President/Branch Manager for the Portland and Gig Harbor offices. Licensed producer since 1989 and obtained Oregon surplus lines license in 2006. Currently serves on the SLAOR Education Committee.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Started in the insurance business in 1982. Primary responsibility is the administration of Indemnity Excess & Surplus Agency, Inc.; still active as an insurance broker.
CURRENT POSITION: Founder and President of Indemnity Excess & Surplus Agency, Inc. (est. 1992).
EDUCATION: B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.B.A., Stanford University, C.P.C.U., A.R.M.
WORK HISTORY: With SLAOR since 10/1/2000; prior to SLAOR - 39 years with Fred. S. James / Sedgwick / Marsh in various client service and management capacities. Past President, Oregon Chapter C.P.C.U. Past President, Independent Insurance Agents of Portland. Former SLAOR board member.
FAMILY: Wife Linda, two step-children, three children.
EDUCATION: B.A., University of Oregon.
WORK HISTORY: With SLAOR since 09/1992; prior to SLAOR - foreign language instructor.
FAMILY: Two children, one grandchild.
WORK HISTORY: With SLAOR since 02/2000; prior to SLAOR - 18 years with U.S. Bancorp (branches, Loan Servicing Center).
FAMILY: Married, two sons, five grandchildren.
WORK HISTORY: With SLAOR since 04/2008; prior to SLAOR - airline industry, travel industry and office administration.
FAMILY: Husband Frank, and three children.
Note: If a surplus line producer intends to file any policies, that producer must submit a Filing Registration Application form and elect a filing system. Membership in the Association is not required in order to use the Association's filing service. Any party, member or non-member, desiring to file a policy in order to comply with Oregon law must complete and submit a Filing Registration Application form (click on "Filing Procedures" at left of screen, and then click on "Register with SLAOR" tab at top of next screen.)All surplus line producers licensed in Oregon are eligible for membership in the Surplus Line Association of Oregon (SLAOR). The Association is responsible for reviewing all Oregon surplus line placements and assisting the State of Oregon in collecting premium taxes on Oregon surplus line placements.
To become a member, applicants must first have secured an Oregon surplus line license through the Oregon Insurance Division. After licensing, applicants for membership are required to accept and pledge adherence to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Association (click on "By-Laws" tab at top of screen) and submit an application for membership. Membership in the Association shall automatically terminate upon a member's ceasing to be an Oregon licensed surplus line producer. Members desiring to file policies in compliance with Oregon statutes must also submit a Filing Registration Application form (for the form, click on "Filing Procedures" at left of screen, and then click on "Register with SLAOR" tab at top of next screen). Membership alone does not allow use of the Association's filing system.Print the form and complete manually:
SLAOR Membership Form