Specialty Lines & E&S Insurance
Some risks don't fit standard markets — they require specialty carriers, surplus lines placement, and advisors who know where to go when the standard markets say no. That's exactly where we work.
When the standard market won't write it, the E&S market often will.
The excess and surplus (E&S) lines market exists to cover risks that admitted carriers won't write — either because the risk is too unique, too hazardous, or too large for standard market capacity. Surplus lines carriers are not bound by state rate and form regulations, giving them the flexibility to craft coverages for risks that standard carriers decline.
Access to the E&S market requires a licensed surplus lines broker. We have those relationships — with Lloyd's of London syndicates, domestic surplus lines carriers, and specialty program markets — and we place specialty risks across virtually every industry and coverage type.
Beyond E&S placement, several specialty coverage lines serve specific needs that don't fit neatly into the standard commercial lines structure: liquor liability for businesses that serve alcohol, special event insurance for one-time gatherings, wind and hail coverage in coastal markets, storage tank liability, and more.
What this coverage does for you
- Access to Lloyd's of London and domestic E&S carriers for hard-to-place risks
- Liquor liability for bars, restaurants, event venues, and alcohol retailers
- Special event insurance for concerts, festivals, fundraisers, and private events
- Wind and hail coverage for coastal and catastrophe-exposed properties
- Storage tank liability for above-ground and underground tank owners
- Admitted and non-admitted market placements across all specialty lines
Where we go when standard markets say no.
These are the specialty and E&S placements our team handles regularly.
Liquor Liability (Dram Shop)
Required for any business that sells, serves, or furnishes alcohol. Covers claims arising from injury or damage caused by an intoxicated person who was served at your establishment. Many states have specific dram shop laws that create direct liability for alcohol vendors.
Special Event Insurance
One-time or short-term coverage for concerts, festivals, fundraisers, weddings, sporting events, and corporate gatherings. Covers event cancellation, liability for attendee injuries, liquor liability, and vendor-related exposures.
Wind & Hail (Coastal & Cat)
In coastal markets and catastrophe-prone regions, standard property carriers exclude or severely restrict wind and hail coverage. Dedicated wind policies through specialty markets provide the property protection that admitted carriers won't offer.
Storage Tank Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and cleanup costs arising from above-ground storage tank (AST) releases. A specialty placement for fuel storage, chemical storage, and industrial tank operations.
High-Value & Unique Property
Specialty property markets for high-value commercial buildings, historic structures, mixed-use properties, vacant buildings, and properties with construction characteristics that standard carriers won't insure at adequate limits.
Hard-to-Place Liability
E&S liability placements for operations that standard markets won't write — high-risk occupancies, unusual operations, businesses with prior claims, and emerging industries. We have carrier relationships specifically for risks the admitted market declines.
Common questions.
Admitted carriers are licensed by the state, subject to state rate and form regulations, and backed by the state guaranty fund. Surplus lines (E&S) carriers are not admitted in the state but are approved to write business that admitted carriers won't take. E&S carriers have more flexibility in terms and pricing — but they're not backed by the state guaranty fund if they become insolvent. For most specialty placements, the tradeoff is worth it to get the coverage at all.
Yes. If you serve alcohol at company events, client functions, or any gathering hosted by your business, you have dram shop exposure. Many CGL policies specifically exclude liquor liability for businesses in the business of selling or serving alcohol — and even businesses that serve alcohol only occasionally can face claims. We'll identify your exposure and find the right coverage.
Yes. Special event insurance is available for one-time events — typically starting at $1M in liability coverage with options for event cancellation, liquor liability, and hired/non-owned auto. Most venues now require proof of event liability coverage before allowing an event to proceed.
A declination from the admitted market is the starting point for an E&S placement. We'll gather the same information your declined carrier reviewed, identify the specific concerns, and take the submission to E&S markets positioned to handle your risk profile. Most risks are insurable somewhere — it's a matter of finding the right market.
Often yes — E&S carriers assume risks the standard market won't, and they price accordingly. But for risks that simply can't be placed in the admitted market, the comparison isn't E&S vs. admitted — it's E&S vs. uninsured. We'll always show you what's available and what it costs so you can make an informed decision.
If it's a hard risk, it's our kind of risk.
Specialty placements, E&S market access, and coverage for the risks that don't fit standard boxes. Tell us what you've got — we'll find the right market.