EMPA Surcharge Exemption Bulletin Reminder

As a reminder, on October 1, 2025, the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) will be implementing Agent XML Schema version 2.3, and Agent CSV layout version 1.1 in FSLSO SLIP+ and the FSLSO Batch Web Service. All agent batch files submitted as of that date are required to utilize the new versions. Any prior version files submitted after that date, or new version files submitted prior to that date, will be rejected.

The updated documentation is available on the FSLSO SLIP+ batch filing page as of 8/15/2025.

XML Schema Changes for Agent and IPC v2.3 - single state AND multi state:

• Changing the fixed value of the SchemaVersion attribute in the BatchDataSet element to "2.3"
• Addition of an optional "EMPAExempt" element inside the Policy node

Note: The new "EMPAExempt" element is optional, but when used must have a value of "Y" or "N" - the value of "Y" should only be used in instances when the policy is part of a multi-insurer (layered) policy where each insurer has their own unique policy number, and the EMPA surcharge has been applied to another insurer's policy within the same layered policy.

CSV Layout Changes for Agent and IPC v1.1 - single state AND multi state

• Addition of the EMPAExempt column in the CSV layout

Note: The new "EMPAExempt" column in CSV is required but may be left blank. If left blank it will be assumed to be a default value of "N." When a value is used for the column it must have a value of "Y" or "N" - the value of "Y" should only be used in instances when the policy is part of a multi-insurer (layered) policy where each insurer has their own unique policy number, and the EMPA surcharge has been applied to another insurer's policy within the same layered policy.

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Have questions? Contact us at 800.562.4496, option 1 or email agent.services@fslso.com.