Southlake Specialty Insurance Company is a Westlake, Texas commercial auto insurer that was set up in 2021 to work as a fronting company, issuing policies for programs that others underwrite (Business Wire). That means your injury claim may be handled by a program administrator, not by Southlake itself. Beverly Law does not work for or with Southlake.
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Who is Southlake Specialty Insurance Company?
An insurance rating agency rated Southlake Specialty and its subsidiary, Westlake Specialty Insurance Company, in May 2021, and the release announcing it is the clearest public description of how the company works. The release says both are based in Westlake, Texas, that Southlake would operate as a fronting insurer writing on an excess and surplus lines basis, with Westlake providing admitted policies where needed, and that business would come first through an affiliation with NTA Underwriters and then through other managing general agents. Insurance Journal’s report adds that the companies focus on commercial auto (Insurance Journal).
The Missouri Department of Insurance lists Southlake under NAIC number 16999, at 1301 Solana Boulevard, Suite 2100, in Westlake, with company phone 800-373-2910 and the line “Excess/Surplus Lines” (Missouri DOI).
What is a fronting insurer, and why does it matter to me?
A fronting insurer puts its name on the policy, but another company, often a managing general agent or a program administrator, sells, underwrites and frequently handles claims for that program. For you, the practical effect is simple: the name on the insurance card and the name of the company that calls you may not match.
We did not find a public Southlake claims page. So the steps that matter are finding out which company administers the policy and getting that in writing. Until you know, send copies of your letters both to the company that called you and to Southlake at the address Missouri lists, so nobody can say they never got notice.
How do I find out who handles a Southlake claim?
- Look at the insurance card or exchange form. Program cards often list a claims phone number for the administrator.
- Check the police report. It usually has the policy number.
- Search the carrier. For trucks, SAFER shows the motor carrier, and the Licensing and Insurance search shows insurance filed by interstate for-hire carriers.
- Call the company line. The number Missouri lists for Southlake, 800-373-2910, can be used to ask who handles claims on a given policy number.
Once someone contacts you, ask in writing: which company issued the policy, which company is adjusting the claim, the claim number, and the liability limits.
What does “surplus lines” mean for a claim?
Surplus lines insurers cover risks the standard market will not. The Texas Department of Insurance says surplus lines insurers are not members of the Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association and that TDI does not license them or monitor their finances (TDI). Washington’s Insurance Commissioner likewise says surplus line customers are not protected by state guaranty funds if the insurer fails (Washington OIC). That does not change your right to claim; it is a reason to resolve a claim with care and to confirm every policy that may apply.
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How much coverage and which records?
Most interstate for-hire freight trucks of 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 CFR 387.9). Driver logs only have to be kept six months (49 CFR 395.8), so send a preservation letter to the carrier and the claims administrator early.
California’s fair claims rules apply to third-party claimants (10 CCR 2695.2), with insurers generally required to accept or deny within 40 calendar days of proof of claim or explain in writing every 30 days (10 CCR 2695.7). Washington generally requires acknowledgment within 10 business days (WAC 284-30-360). In Texas, ask for any refusal in writing (TDI tips). Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou.
What to do now
- Get medical care and keep every record.
- Photograph the insurance card and the truck’s USDOT number.
- Find the claims administrator named on the card or policy.
- Ask in writing who issued the policy and who is adjusting it.
- Request the liability limits and any excess policy.
- Send a preservation letter for logs and video.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing a release.
Get help with a Southlake claim
Unsure who is handling your claim? Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 for a free review in English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. See our other truck insurance claims guides.
Common questions
What is Southlake Specialty’s phone number?
The Missouri Department of Insurance lists 800-373-2910 for the company. Ask that line who handles claims for your policy number.
Does Southlake handle its own claims?
It was set up as a fronting insurer, so claims on a given program may be handled by the program’s administrator. Confirm in writing.
What is Westlake Specialty Insurance Company?
Southlake’s subsidiary, which the 2021 release says provides admitted policies where needed.
How long do I have to sue?
Generally two years in California (California Courts) and Texas (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003), and three years in Washington (RCW 4.16.080). Claims involving public agencies start with a shorter deadline.
Is a surplus lines policy still real insurance?
Yes. It is a lawful policy; it is just regulated differently and, per TDI and Washington’s Insurance Commissioner, not backed by state guaranty funds.
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Truck Insurance Claims · Truck insurance claims · Old Republic Insurance Company claims · Carolina Casualty Insurance claims · Can I sue a truck driver for hitting me? · Law Blog
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Sources
- Missouri Department of Insurance, Southlake Specialty Insurance Company record
- Business Wire, AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Southlake Specialty and Westlake Specialty (5/4/2021)
- Insurance Journal, A- rating assigned to Texas insurers Southlake Specialty and Westlake Specialty (5/5/2021)
- Texas Department of Insurance, Surplus lines insurers
- Washington Insurance Commissioner, What is surplus line insurance?
- 49 CFR 387.9
- 49 CFR 395.8
- FMCSA, SAFER Company Snapshot
- FMCSA, Licensing and Insurance public search
- Cal. Code of Regulations, title 10, section 2695.2
- Cal. Code of Regulations, title 10, section 2695.7
- WAC 284-30-360
- Texas Department of Insurance, Accident not your fault?
- California Courts Self-Help, Statute of limitations
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code chapter 16 (16.003)
- RCW 4.16.080
Important: This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Beverly Law. Laws change and every case is different; talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: 2026-11-12.