The Wire | October 2026 Edition

November 3, 2026

Key What You See

Accurate reporting in SLIP+ starts with one simple rule: key what you see on the policy documents. From the insurer’s name to the transaction effective date, transaction type, and premium, each detail matters when submitting a transaction in SLIP+.

Insurer Name - During our efforts to reconcile insurer and agent filings, we have found discrepancies with the insurance company selected in SLIP+ by surplus lines agents and their filers. We discovered that the insurance company selected in SLIP+ differed from the insurance company shown on the policy documents. It is important when submitting transactions in SLIP+ that you enter the information correctly, especially the insurance company.

There are a few insurance companies that have similar names, which can cause confusion and incorrect insurer selection in SLIP+. To avoid errors, select the insurance company based on their name and NAIC number.

Transaction Effective Date - For reporting purposes, use the transaction effective date when filing transactions in SLIP+. This is the effective date of the specific transaction being reported (i.e., endorsement, renewal, or cancellation).

When reviewing your policy, be sure to pay close attention to the dates. Typically for endorsements, the policy effective date and transaction effective date are not the same.

If you write a policy effective October 1, and then add an endorsement on October 15, the endorsement would typically be effective on October 15 (the date it was added). If the endorsement needs to be retroactive or have a different effective date, the endorsement must clearly specify that.

In certain cases, such as a new business or renewal, the transaction effective date and the policy effective date will be the same.

Always double-check your dates to ensure accuracy when reporting to FSLSO.

New Business vs. Renewal - When filing in SLIP+, we ask that you select the transaction type (new business or renewal) based on the insurer’s classification of the policy on the declarations page.

If it is a new policy to the insurer, but a renewal to your agency, the policy should be filed as a new business transaction in SLIP+. The same rule applies to renewal transactions. If a policy is new to your agency, but a renewal to the insurer, the policy should be filed as a renewal in SLIP+.

Premium (Gross vs. Net) - We have identified some agents filing the net premium in SLIP+. The premium amount filed in SLIP+ should be the gross premium as shown on the policy documents issued by the carrier and the premium amount paid by the policyholder. The gross premium includes all commissions and policy fees.

The premium amount filed in SLIP+ should not include the surplus lines tax, Service Office fee, or any applicable assessments/surcharges such as the EMPA surcharge. These amounts are calculated automatically by SLIP+ based on the premium and policy fees entered.

In Conclusion - Remember, when filing in SLIP+, we ask that you “key what you see". The policy and transaction information filed in SLIP+ should match what is shown on the policy declarations page or endorsement issued by the insurance company.

Incorrect filings have an impact on FSLSO audit programs, including Premium Reconciliation and Compliance Review and Insurer Filing Reports.

What entities are considered exempt
from surplus lines tax?

To be exempt from the Florida surplus lines tax, the entity should be a governmental (state, county, municipality) entity. A Consumer's Certificate of Exemption (DR-14) form indicating that the insured is a governmental entity should be provided as documentation for tax exempt status. This form can be obtained from the Florida Department of Revenue.

Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations are typically exempt from sales tax but are not exempt from surplus lines tax unless proven otherwise by the entity and their filing surplus lines agent.

All tax-exempt policies bearing premium must be reported in SLIP+.

Action Required: MFA Will Be Mandatory
Starting January 1, 2027

To better protect your account and the sensitive information in SLIP+, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required for all SLIP+ users beginning January 1, 2027.

MFA adds a second step of security when you log in. After you enter your password, you'll confirm it's really you with a code sent by text message (SMS), email, or one generated by an authenticator app. So even if someone gets your password, they still can't get into your account without that crucial second step. MFA is currently available in SLIP+, and we encourage you to set it up before the deadline.

Why Set It Up Now?

Avoid login interruptions: Starting January 1, users who have not enabled MFA will be prompted to set it up before they can reach SLIP+.
Stay ahead of year-end deadlines: Setting up MFA now means one less thing to deal with during a busy filing season.
Protect your agency: MFA is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access to your account.

To enable MFA in SLIP+, simply log in and follow the MFA prompts.

If you have questions or need help, contact us at agent.services@fslso.com or call 800.562.4496, option 1.