A licensed individual writing coverage with non-admitted insurers when an admitted insurer cannot be utilized is called what?

The correct choice is a surplus lines broker. This term specifically refers to a licensed individual who is authorized to place coverage with non-admitted insurers when the usual admitted insurers are unable to provide the necessary coverage.

In the insurance industry, non-admitted insurers are those that do not have a license from the state to operate as admitted insurers, which means they are subject to different regulations. Surplus lines brokers play a crucial role in accessing these non-admitted insurers when typical insurance options are insufficient or unavailable for specific risks.

This serves an important purpose in providing coverage for unique or high-risk situations that might not be adequately met by admitted carriers. The other roles mentioned, such as independent agents and captive agents, are primarily involved in selling policies from admitted insurers. An insurance adjuster, on the other hand, is focused on assessing claims and is not involved in underwriting or placing coverage. Thus, the specific function of a surplus lines broker aligns perfectly with the scenario described in the question.