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100+ Free West Virginia Surplus Lines Practice Questions

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A surplus lines policy covers a commercial risk with operations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky. The insured's principal place of business is in West Virginia. Under the NRRA, which state collects the surplus lines tax?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: West Virginia Surplus Lines Exam

65-75%

First-Time Pass Rate

Industry Data

70%

Passing Score

WV Insurance Commissioner

50

Exam Questions

PSI Services

1 hour

Exam Duration

PSI Services

$55

Exam Fee

PSI Services

P&C 3+ Years

Prerequisite

WV Insurance Commissioner

West Virginia's surplus lines broker exam has 50 scored questions with a 1-hour time limit and 70% passing score. Candidates must have held an active P&C license for at least 3 years and must submit fingerprints for a background check. The exam fee is approximately $55 through PSI.

Sample West Virginia Surplus Lines Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your West Virginia 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 surplus lines insurance?
A.To replace standard homeowners insurance
B.To provide coverage for risks that admitted carriers are unwilling or unable to insure
C.To offer lower premiums than the admitted market
D.To insure only government properties
Explanation: Surplus lines insurance exists to provide coverage for risks that the admitted (standard) market is unwilling or unable to insure. These include unusual, hard-to-place, or high-risk exposures that standard carriers decline. It does not aim to undercut admitted market pricing.
2In West Virginia, who regulates surplus lines insurance?
A.The National Association of Insurance Commissioners
B.The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
C.The Federal Insurance Office
D.The West Virginia Legislature
Explanation: The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner is the state regulatory authority responsible for overseeing surplus lines insurance transactions. The NAIC is an advisory body, the FIO monitors but does not regulate state insurance markets, and the legislature passes laws but does not directly regulate.
3How many scored questions are on the West Virginia surplus lines broker exam?
A.25 questions
B.50 questions
C.75 questions
D.100 questions
Explanation: The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam contains 50 scored questions. Candidates have 1 hour to complete the exam and must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%, which means correctly answering at least 35 out of 50 questions.
4What is the time limit for the West Virginia surplus lines broker exam?
A.30 minutes
B.1 hour
C.1.5 hours
D.2 hours
Explanation: The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam allows 1 hour (60 minutes) to complete 50 scored questions. This gives candidates approximately 1.2 minutes per question, requiring efficient time management and thorough preparation.
5What prerequisite must a candidate meet to apply for a West Virginia surplus lines broker license?
A.Hold a life insurance license for 1 year
B.Hold an active Property & Casualty license for at least 3 years
C.Hold any insurance license for 6 months
D.No prerequisites are required
Explanation: West Virginia requires surplus lines broker candidates to have held an active Property & Casualty insurance license for at least 3 years. This 3-year experience requirement is more stringent than many states and ensures that surplus lines brokers have substantial foundational insurance knowledge before handling non-admitted placements.
6What additional background requirement does West Virginia impose on surplus lines broker applicants?
A.A college degree in insurance
B.A credit check with a minimum score of 700
C.Fingerprinting for a background check
D.A personal reference from 5 insurance professionals
Explanation: West Virginia requires surplus lines broker applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. This requirement helps ensure that individuals handling surplus lines transactions have clean records and can be trusted with fiduciary responsibilities. The fingerprinting requirement is specific to West Virginia's licensing process.
7Which entity administers the West Virginia surplus lines broker exam?
A.Pearson VUE
B.PSI Services
C.Prometric
D.Castle Worldwide
Explanation: The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam is administered by PSI Services. PSI operates testing centers throughout West Virginia and offers the exam on a computer-based format. Candidates must schedule their exam through PSI after receiving approval from the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner's office.
8What is the approximate exam fee for the West Virginia surplus lines broker exam?
A.$35
B.$55
C.$96
D.$125
Explanation: The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam fee is approximately $55, paid to PSI at the time of scheduling. This fee covers the testing administration. Candidates should verify the current fee with PSI or the WV Insurance Commissioner's office before scheduling.
9What is a diligent search in the context of surplus lines insurance?
A.A background check on the insurance applicant
B.A thorough search of admitted carriers to confirm the coverage is unavailable in the standard market
C.A review of the insured's credit history
D.An investigation of the surplus lines broker's qualifications
Explanation: A diligent search is the process a surplus lines broker must complete to demonstrate that the desired coverage was declined by or is unavailable from admitted (licensed) carriers in the state. This is a fundamental legal requirement before placing coverage with a non-admitted insurer.
10What does the term 'non-admitted insurer' mean?
A.An insurer that has been permanently banned from operating
B.An insurer not licensed in the state where the risk is located but authorized to write surplus lines
C.An insurer that only writes reinsurance
D.An insurer operating without any valid license
Explanation: A non-admitted insurer is one that is not licensed (admitted) in the state where the insured risk is located but is authorized under the state's surplus lines laws to write coverage through a licensed surplus lines broker. Non-admitted insurers are legal; they operate outside the admitted market framework.

About the West Virginia Surplus Lines Exam

The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam covers surplus lines markets, WV surplus lines law, diligent search requirements, the 4% premium tax, eligible insurer standards, NRRA compliance, and E&S coverages. WV requires 3+ years of P&C experience and fingerprinting for a background check.

Questions

50 scored questions

Time Limit

1 hour

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$55 (PSI Services)

West Virginia Surplus Lines Exam Content Outline

30%

Surplus Lines Markets

Lloyd's of London, London market, alien insurers, MGAs, binding authority, market cycles, distribution chain, and reinsurance operations

25%

West Virginia Surplus Lines Law

WV surplus lines statutes, Insurance Commissioner regulations, 3-year P&C prerequisite, fingerprinting requirements, broker obligations, and enforcement

20%

Diligent Search & Eligibility

Diligent search requirements, documentation standards, eligible insurer list, financial requirements, and exempt commercial purchasers

25%

Taxation & Compliance

WV 4% premium tax, NRRA home state rules, filing requirements, recordkeeping, disclosure obligations, and fiduciary duties

How to Pass the West Virginia Surplus Lines Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 50 questions
  • Time limit: 1 hour
  • Exam fee: $55

Keys to Passing

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

West Virginia Surplus Lines Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on West Virginia-specific surplus lines statutes and the Insurance Commissioner's regulatory authority
2Understand the 3-year P&C license prerequisite and how it differs from other states
3Master the 4% premium tax calculation, collection, and remittance procedures
4Study diligent search documentation requirements and when exceptions apply
5Learn about coal mining and energy sector risks common in WV surplus lines placements
6Practice time management — 50 questions in 60 minutes means about 1.2 minutes per question

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the West Virginia surplus lines broker exam?

The West Virginia surplus lines broker exam has 50 scored questions with a 1-hour time limit. You need to score 70% (35 correct answers) to pass. This gives you about 1.2 minutes per question, so preparation and time management are important.

What is the 3-year P&C license requirement for WV surplus lines?

West Virginia requires surplus lines broker candidates to have held an active Property & Casualty insurance license for at least 3 years. This is more stringent than many states and ensures that brokers have substantial real-world insurance experience before handling complex surplus lines transactions.

Why does West Virginia require fingerprinting for surplus lines brokers?

West Virginia requires fingerprints to conduct a criminal background check on all surplus lines broker applicants. Since brokers handle premium trust funds and have fiduciary responsibilities, the state must verify applicants are trustworthy. Fingerprinting is completed as part of the licensing application process.

What is the West Virginia surplus lines premium tax rate?

West Virginia imposes a 4% surplus lines premium tax on all surplus lines policies placed in the state. The surplus lines broker is responsible for collecting this tax from the insured and remitting it to the WV Insurance Commissioner. This rate is higher than many neighboring states.

How do I schedule the WV surplus lines broker exam?

The exam is administered by PSI Services. Schedule online through the PSI website after receiving approval from the WV Insurance Commissioner's office. The exam fee is approximately $55 and is taken at a PSI testing center.

What topics are covered on the West Virginia surplus lines exam?

The exam covers surplus lines markets and operations (30%), West Virginia surplus lines law (25%), diligent search and eligibility (20%), and taxation and compliance including the 4% premium tax (25%). Coal mining and energy sector risks are relevant WV-specific topics.