Excess/Surplus Lines in South Carolina

Has a standard insurance carrier turned down your business or refused to renew your policy? You are not alone, and you are not out of options. The excess and surplus (E&S) lines market exists specifically to provide coverage for risks that admitted carriers are unwilling or unable to insure. At Citadel Insurance Group, we help Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina businesses navigate the E&S market and find meaningful coverage, even when the standard market says no.

What Is Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance?

Excess and surplus lines insurance, also called non-admitted insurance, is coverage placed with carriers that are not licensed in South Carolina but are approved by the SC Department of Insurance to write business here. Because these carriers are not bound by the same rate and form regulations as admitted insurers, they have greater flexibility to craft customized policies for risks that fall outside standard underwriting guidelines. E&S carriers now account for more than 25% of all U.S. commercial lines premium, reflecting how many businesses today have exposures that go beyond what the standard market is built to handle.

How E&S Insurance Works in South Carolina

Under South Carolina law (Title 38, Chapter 45 of the SC Code of Laws), surplus lines coverage may be placed with an approved non-admitted carrier when coverage is not reasonably available in the admitted market. Policies placed in the E&S market are subject to a state premium tax and must include a notice that the policy is not covered by the South Carolina Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association. This means that while E&S carriers provide real, enforceable coverage, it is important to work with a knowledgeable agent who understands how these policies function and what protections apply.

At Citadel Insurance Group, we have access to a broad network of E&S carriers and wholesale markets to help you find the right solution for your specific situation. Whether you have been declined by a standard carrier or simply have a risk that does not fit a traditional policy, we are here to help.