The Surplus Line Association of Washington was established through the joint cooperation of Washington-licensed surplus line brokers and the Washington State Insurance Department to support a strong, compliant surplus lines marketplace.

From the beginning, member brokers voluntarily agreed to submit surplus line policies and filings through a centralized stamping office. This early commitment helped strengthen oversight, encourage consistency, and ensure filings aligned with Washington’s surplus lines laws as the market continued to evolve.

In the late 1930s, West Coast states adopted more comprehensive surplus lines regulations. During this time, Lloyd’s agreed to recognize surplus line broker associations and to accept risks only through properly licensed brokers who belonged to those associations and complied with the developing regulatory framework.

In 1938, Washington surplus line brokers proposed forming an association modeled after similar efforts in California. The plan was encouraged by the Washington Insurance Commissioner, and Lloyd’s agreed to work exclusively with licensed brokers who were members of the Association.

Because Washington’s legislature met biennially at the time, necessary statutory updates were delayed until early 1941. Insurance Commissioner William Sullivan, who supported an Association structure patterned after California’s, sponsored House Bill 345, commonly known as the “Surplus Lines Brokers Bill.” The bill was signed into law in March 1941, and the Surplus Line Association of Washington was formally launched on April 16, 1941.

Today, the Surplus Line Association of Washington continues to serve as a trusted resource for Washington’s surplus line community that supports brokers with clear guidance, reliable filing processes, and a modern approach to compliance that protects both the marketplace and the insurance-buying public.