What is the primary function of surplus lines brokers?

Surplus lines brokers primarily play a crucial role in the insurance marketplace by facilitating the placement of insurance for risks that cannot be covered by traditional or standard insurance companies. This is essential for providing coverage in situations where individuals or businesses require insurance for unique, high-risk, or unconventional exposures that fall outside the capabilities of standard insurers.

In the context of surplus lines, brokers are licensed professionals who source coverage from non-admitted carriers, which are insurers that do not have to adhere to the same regulations as admitted insurers. This allows them to offer innovative solutions and specialized policies tailored to specific needs. The existence of surplus lines brokers helps ensure that a variety of risks are insurable, thereby providing essential coverage that supports businesses and individuals who might otherwise remain unprotected.

While the other options pertain to aspects of insurance handling, they either suggest roles that are not specific to surplus lines brokers or imply functions typically associated with standard insurance practices or admissions. Thus, option B accurately identifies the primary and distinctive function of surplus lines brokers within the insurance industry.