Which type of insurance is written as surplus lines?

Surplus lines insurance refers to coverage provided by insurers that are not licensed in the state where the insured resides but are authorized to provide coverage in the surplus lines market. This market is often utilized for unusual or hard-to-place risks that standard insurers are unwilling to cover.

Ocean marine insurance fits this definition, as it typically covers risks associated with the transportation of goods over water, including cargo, hull, and liability coverages. Since these risks can sometimes be unique or higher in nature compared to standard insurance offerings, ocean marine policies are often placed through surplus lines carriers. This allows brokers and agents to seek coverage from non-admitted insurers when the traditional market does not provide adequate solutions.

The other options either pertain to specific types of insurance that are generally available through standard carriers or do not typically involve the surplus lines market in the same way that ocean marine does. This characteristic makes ocean marine the most appropriate answer relating to surplus lines insurance.