FAQ - SLA Broker Extranet

• What operating systems are supported?
• Which Internet browsers can I use?
• How do I get started?
• Do I need Java to use the site?
• Do I need any special plug-ins to view or use the site?
• Why can't I access the SLA Broker Extranet?
• What is the difference between a Master Broker User, an Administrator and a User?
• What is a Licensee, in relation to the Broker Extranet?
• What do we do when someone who has access to the Broker Extranet leaves our firm?
• I forgot my password! How do I retrieve it?
• How do I get instructions when using the Broker Extranet?
• Will I receive confirmation of my tag response?
• Can taxes & fees / broker balances be paid online?
• Do I have to log off?
• What privacy and security policies has the SLA implemented?
• If I have other questions that are not addressed here, how can I get these questions answered?

Q.  What operating systems are supported?

A. The Broker Extranet can run on Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, or XP.

Q.  Which Internet browsers can I use?

A. Our system only supports Internet Explorer version 5 or higher. The following Service Packs are required:

You may download IE now.

Q.  How do I get started?

A.

1. If you are a Licensee and are ready to create a Broker Master User Profile, please contact the SLA IT Dept. at support@slacal.org, requesting to be activated on the Broker Extranet system. Please include the following information in your email:
   • Brokerage Name
   • Brokerage License Number (This is the number prefaced with "SL" assigned to you by the CDI.)
   • SLA Broker Number (This is the three or four digit number assigned to you by the SLA.)
   • Name, title, phone and email of the Master Broker User (Preferably a principal of the firm.)
   • Name, title, phone and email of the person who will be representing the Master Broker during the activation of the Broker Master User Profile, if different from the Master Broker User.
   The SLA will email you a Broker Extranet User Agreement form which you will need to fill out and return, signed and dated by the principal of the Licensee. We will then create one Broker Master User ID profile within the system and activate your organization for use on the system. You will receive both a brief introdution to the system by email, and a phone call to deliver your ID and password, along with a walkthrough of the system to familiarize you with the Extranet's features.
   For questions on Broker Master User ID assignment or what you need to do to get started, please contact the SLA IT Dept. at support@slacal.org.
2. When creating your User ID profile, be aware that the system will not allow duplicated User IDs.   If you use an ID that has been created by another user in the system, you will be prompted to pick another one.
3. At the time your User ID is created, you will be given a temporary password to login to the Broker Extranet through the SLA's web site at www.slacal.org.   Upon your first login, the system will generate a message that says your password is expired. You must then change the temporary password to one of your own choice. In the SLA's system, passwords are not case sensitive and must be between 5 and 10 characters.   Your password can be a combination of numbers and letters.   It cannot be the same as your User ID or the same as your last name, and it should not include spaces.
4. After you have successfully changed your password, you will be prompted to agree to the Broker Extranet User Agreement. You will only be prompted to accept the agreement on your initial use of the system. After you have agreed once, you will no longer be prompted.
5. After you have successfully logged in, your brokerage firm's account page will appear.   If you are managing more than one branch, a list of your branch offices will appear.   Select the branch to work with.
   If you believe the information displayed is incorrect, please contact the SLA IT Dept. at support@slacal.org.
6. As described above, Master Broker Users and Administrators have the option of creating other user IDs to perform various Broker-Extranet-related functions for your brokerage firm.
   To create other User IDs, click on Administration and then follow the step-by-step instructions found by clicking on the Help link.  
   YOU will be responsible for maintaining profiles of the users you create/authorize within the system to perform such functions on behalf of your organization. The SLA will from time to time send out listings of all the current Administrators and Users created under each Master Broker User so that you can confirm that all the assigned users are still working in your office.

Q.  Do I need Java to use the site?

A. Yes, you need a Java Virtual Machine installed. The Java VM can be either Microsoft Virtual Machine or Sun Virtual Machine version 1.4.2_03 or higher. To automatically download the latest Sun Java Virtual Machine, click here.

Q.  Do I need any special plug-ins to view or use the site?

A. To use the SLA's system, you will need Crystal Reports ActiveX viewer and Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-ins installed in your browser.
Click here to get the latest copy of Acrobat Reader or click here to download Crystal Reports ActiveX viewer. After clicking the link for the Crystal Reports ActiveX viewer, you should see a message that indicates that your viewer is working properly. If you do not see this message, please contact the Surplus Line Association's IT Department at support@slacal.org.

Q.  Why can't I access the SLA Broker Extranet?

A. Please check with your network administrator to ensure your company's network allows access to secured web sessions of URLs beginning with https://.
For all other problems, please contact the Surplus Line Association's IT Department at support@slacal.org.

Q.  What is the difference between a Master Broker User, an Administrator and a User?

A. These three titles reflect the different levels of users within the Broker Extranet system:

• Master Broker User of Individual Licensee or Corporate Licensee: A principal or appointee of the Licensee who serves as the primary representative of the brokerage to the SLA regarding Broker Extranet Issues. The Master Broker User is enabled to create both Administrators and Users on the Extranet for his or her brokerage and is responsible for maintaining User IDs and Passwords for any Administrators/Users which s/he has created.
• Administrator(s) for a Licensee: Person(s) enabled to use the Extranet by a Master Broker User. The Administrator has rights to create and maintain Users for the Licensee, but does not have rights to create or maintain other Administrators. Often an Administrator is someone assigned by the Master Broker User to manage a firm's Surplus Lines filings, and if the firm is large, may manage one or more other employees who need access to the Broker Extranet.
• User(s):   Person(s) authorized to use the Broker Extranet but who has no access to the Administration screens, and is thereby unable to create or maintain Administrators or other Users.

Q.  What is a Licensee, in relation to the Broker Extranet?

A. A Licensee is an individual or an organization holding a valid California Resident/Non-Resident Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent license to transact surplus line business. Each Licensee requesting access to the Broker Extranet will be assigned a User ID/Password, referred to as the Broker Master User ID.   All Corporate Licensees are required to designate one person within their respective organizations, preferably a principal of the firm, who will be assigned a Broker Master User ID. Licensees are solely responsible for the maintenance of any and all User IDs and Passwords that are created on behalf of their brokerage firm.

Q.  What do we do when someone who has access to the Broker Extranet leaves our firm?

A. If an Administrator or User leaves, we strongly recommend that you inactivate or delete his or her User ID to avoid inappropriate access to the system by ex-employees. If the person who leaves is a Master Broker User, please contact the SLA at support@slacal.org immediately so that we may inactivate the current ID and Password, and assign a new Master Broker ID for your firm.

Q.  I forgot my password! How do I retrieve it?

A. If you forgot your password, or if your password was deactivated after entering your user name and/or password incorrectly five times, you will need to do one of the following to have your password reset

1. If you are a Licensee (i.e. the person designated with the Broker Master User ID), please contact the IT Dept. at the SLA at support@slacal.org to have your User ID/Password reset.
2. If you are an Administrator, you will have to contact your Licensee to reset your User ID/Password.
3. If you are a User, you will need to contact your office's surplus line filings Administrator, or, if there is no Administrator, your Licensee (as described above).

After your password has been reset, you must create a new password when you log on.
If you encounter any other difficulties, please call the SLA IT Dept. at support@slacal.org with your concerns.

Q.  How do I get instructions when using the Broker Extranet?

A. When you sign on to the Broker Extranet, the SLA IT team will provide you a walkthrough of the system via the phone. You can get assistance with a specific task or concept at any time by clicking the Help link at the top of every page on the Web site. The Help page provides step-by-step instructions for most functions, including the following:

• Reviewing statements or transactions history
• Viewing and responding to tags

You can also get assistance by downloading or viewing the Instructional Videos or Help PDF.
Finally, you can always contact the SLA IT team at support@slacal.org.

Q.  Will I receive confirmation of my tag response?

A. No, though you can always view tags and responses under Transaction History.   For a copy to keep for your files, go to the top of the page before you respond and click on the print button.

Q.  Can taxes & fees / broker balances be paid online?

A. Not at this time.

Q.  Do I have to log off?

A. Yes. It is recommended that you log off after you’ve finished accessing your account. Not logging out keeps the session active until it times out after 90 minutes.

Q.  What privacy and security policies has the SLA implemented?

A. Protecting your privacy is important to us. The SLA has taken steps to protect your privacy and the security of our registered users' communication and personal information. All information collected via our web site and/or e-mail is kept confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties unless otherwise specified and as may be required by law.
For details on our privacy and security policies, please view the SLA's User Agreement and Privacy documents.

Q.  If I have other questions that are not addressed here, how can I get these questions answered?

A. Contact the SLA IT Dept. at support@slacal.org.