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100+ Free Connecticut Surplus Lines Practice Questions

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What is the relationship between the McCarran-Ferguson Act and surplus lines regulation?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Connecticut Surplus Lines Exam

65-75%

First-Time Pass Rate

Industry Data

70%

Passing Score

Connecticut Insurance Department

~50

Exam Questions

Pearson VUE

~1 hour

Exam Duration

Pearson VUE

$88

Exam Fee

Pearson VUE

CT Producer License

Prerequisite

Connecticut Insurance Department

The CT surplus lines broker exam has approximately 50 questions (scored plus pretest) with a 1-hour time limit and 70% passing score. Candidates must hold an active Connecticut insurance producer license and pay a $675 license fee. Connecticut imposes a 4% surplus lines premium tax collected by the broker.

Sample Connecticut Surplus Lines Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Connecticut Surplus Lines exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary purpose of the surplus lines market?
A.To provide coverage for risks that cannot be placed in the admitted market
B.To offer lower premiums than standard insurance carriers
C.To replace the admitted insurance market entirely
D.To provide reinsurance for admitted carriers
Explanation: The surplus lines market exists to provide coverage for risks that the admitted (standard) market is unable or unwilling to insure. These are typically unusual, high-risk, or unique exposures that don't fit standard underwriting guidelines. Surplus lines carriers are not required to file rates with the state, giving them flexibility to cover these hard-to-place risks.
2Under Connecticut law, who is authorized to place business with non-admitted insurers?
A.Any licensed insurance producer
B.Only a licensed surplus lines broker
C.Any insurance company domiciled in Connecticut
D.The Connecticut Insurance Department directly
Explanation: In Connecticut, only a licensed surplus lines broker may place insurance with non-admitted (surplus lines) insurers. Regular insurance producers cannot directly place business with non-admitted carriers. The surplus lines broker license requires the broker to hold an active Connecticut insurance producer license as a prerequisite.
3What is Lloyd's of London?
A.A single insurance company based in London
B.A marketplace where syndicates of underwriters accept risk
C.A British government insurance program
D.A reinsurance brokerage firm
Explanation: Lloyd's of London is not an insurance company but rather a marketplace where individual syndicates of underwriters come together to pool and spread risk. Each syndicate is a separate underwriting entity backed by its members' capital. Lloyd's is one of the most prominent sources of surplus lines coverage in the United States.
4What must a Connecticut surplus lines broker do before placing coverage with a non-admitted insurer?
A.Obtain written approval from the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner
B.Conduct a diligent search of the admitted market
C.File the policy form with the state for approval
D.Notify the insured's existing carrier of the placement
Explanation: Before placing coverage with a non-admitted insurer, a Connecticut surplus lines broker must conduct a diligent search of the admitted market to determine that the coverage cannot be obtained from admitted carriers. This requirement ensures that surplus lines placement is used only when the standard market cannot accommodate the risk.
5Which federal law reformed the regulation of non-admitted insurance and reinsurance?
A.McCarran-Ferguson Act
B.Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
C.Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA)
D.Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (Title V excluded)
Explanation: The Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA), enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010, reformed surplus lines regulation by establishing that only the home state of the insured can regulate and tax surplus lines transactions. This eliminated the problem of multiple states taxing the same surplus lines placement.
6What is a non-admitted insurer?
A.An insurer that has been denied a license by any state
B.An insurer not licensed to do business in a particular state but eligible for surplus lines
C.An insurer that operates without any regulatory oversight
D.An insurer that only writes reinsurance contracts
Explanation: A non-admitted insurer is an insurance company that is not licensed (admitted) to transact insurance in a particular state. However, non-admitted insurers may still be eligible to write surplus lines business in that state if they meet certain financial and eligibility requirements. They are regulated in their domiciliary state and must meet the surplus lines eligibility standards of the state where they write business.
7Under the NRRA, which state has sole authority to regulate and tax a surplus lines transaction?
A.The state where the risk is physically located
B.The home state of the insured
C.The state where the surplus lines broker is licensed
D.The domiciliary state of the non-admitted insurer
Explanation: Under the NRRA, the home state of the insured has sole regulatory authority over surplus lines transactions, including the exclusive right to collect surplus lines premium tax. This streamlined the prior system where multiple states could impose taxes and regulatory requirements on a single multi-state surplus lines placement.
8What is the Connecticut surplus lines premium tax rate?
A.2%
B.3%
C.4%
D.5%
Explanation: Connecticut imposes a 4% surplus lines premium tax on surplus lines placements. This tax is collected by the surplus lines broker and remitted to the state. The broker is responsible for ensuring timely collection and payment of this tax on all surplus lines premiums written in the state.
9What type of coverage is commonly written in the surplus lines market?
A.Standard homeowners insurance
B.Basic auto liability insurance
C.Environmental liability and pollution coverage
D.Medicare supplement insurance
Explanation: Environmental liability and pollution coverage is commonly placed in the surplus lines market because admitted carriers typically exclude pollution from standard policies. Other common surplus lines coverages include professional liability for high-risk professions, special events, coastal property, and emerging risks that admitted carriers are unwilling to underwrite.
10Which entity maintains a list of eligible surplus lines insurers in Connecticut?
A.The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
B.The Connecticut Insurance Department
C.The Surplus Lines Stamping Office
D.Lloyd's of London
Explanation: The Connecticut Insurance Department maintains the list of eligible surplus lines insurers authorized to write non-admitted business in the state. Surplus lines brokers must verify that a non-admitted insurer is on the approved list before placing coverage. Insurers must meet specific financial requirements to remain on this list.

About the Connecticut Surplus Lines Exam

The Connecticut Surplus Lines Broker exam tests knowledge of surplus lines markets, CT-specific surplus lines law under Title 38a, diligent search requirements, eligible insurer standards, the 4% premium tax, NRRA provisions, and compliance obligations for brokers placing insurance with non-admitted carriers.

Questions

50 scored questions

Time Limit

~1 hour

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$88 (Pearson VUE / Connecticut Insurance Department)

Connecticut Surplus Lines Exam Content Outline

30%

Surplus Lines Markets

Lloyd's of London, London market, alien insurers, E&S carrier operations, managing general agents, wholesale distribution, market cycles, and subscription policies

25%

Connecticut Surplus Lines Law

Title 38a provisions, licensing and the $675 fee, Insurance Department authority, broker obligations, commission sharing rules, and enforcement actions

20%

Diligent Search & Eligibility

Diligent search requirements, documentation and affidavits, declinations, eligible insurer lists, NAIC IID Quarterly Listing, and export list provisions

25%

Taxation & Compliance

4% premium tax calculation and remittance, NRRA home state taxation, record-keeping, annual filings, disclosure requirements, and guaranty fund exclusion

How to Pass the Connecticut Surplus Lines Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 50 questions
  • Time limit: ~1 hour
  • Exam fee: $88

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Connecticut Surplus Lines Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Connecticut's 4% surplus lines premium tax rate and practice calculating tax on various premium amounts
2Understand the diligent search requirement and what documentation must be maintained for each placement
3Know the disclosure requirements — insureds must be told the insurer is non-admitted and not covered by the guaranty fund
4Study the NRRA's home state provisions and how they affect multi-state surplus lines taxation
5Learn the difference between domestic, foreign, and alien insurers and their eligibility requirements
6Review the $675 license fee and the prerequisite of holding an active Connecticut insurance producer license

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites for the Connecticut surplus lines broker exam?

You must hold an active Connecticut insurance producer license before applying for the surplus lines broker license. There is no separate pre-licensing course requirement, but you must pass the surplus lines exam with a score of 70% or higher. The license fee is $675.

What is the Connecticut surplus lines premium tax rate?

Connecticut imposes a 4% surplus lines premium tax on the gross premium. The surplus lines broker is responsible for collecting this tax from the insured and remitting it to the Connecticut Insurance Department according to the required filing schedule.

What is the diligent search requirement in Connecticut?

Before placing coverage with a non-admitted insurer, a Connecticut surplus lines broker must conduct a diligent search of the admitted market to demonstrate that the full amount, kind, or type of insurance cannot be obtained from admitted insurers. The search must be documented with written records.

Are surplus lines policyholders protected by Connecticut's guaranty fund?

No. Policyholders of surplus lines (non-admitted) insurers are generally excluded from the Connecticut Insurance Guaranty Association. If a surplus lines insurer becomes insolvent, the policyholder must pursue claims through the insurer's insolvency proceeding. This must be disclosed to the insured.

How many questions are on the Connecticut surplus lines exam?

The CT surplus lines exam has approximately 50 questions including both scored and pretest (unscored) questions. You have about 1 hour to complete the exam and need 70% on the scored questions to pass. The exam fee is $88 and is administered by Pearson VUE.

What topics are covered on the Connecticut surplus lines broker exam?

The exam covers surplus lines markets and operations (Lloyd's, London market), Connecticut surplus lines law (Title 38a), diligent search requirements, eligible insurer standards, the 4% premium tax, NRRA provisions, record-keeping, disclosure requirements, and compliance obligations.