Jessica /Kevin - we're with Lloyd's as well but on the policy Hiscox is listed and they aren't even who i deal with directly but I'm being told it's Hiscox who is charging it because Lloyd's is a surplus line, not Standard Market (which is regulated, unlike surplus), so they can charge whatever fees they like. 

I had to ask because she was giving me this insurance industry jargon and i don't speak much insuransese so i got a lesson in Insurance 101. 

This has left me posing many questions to my broker.  Why are we on a surplus line instead of Standard Market (which is backed by the Guarantee Fund should the insurer go out of business, unlike surplus lines), what's the difference in premium, is there a way around this unnecessary fee and if not, how do i lose this Hiscox character who seems to be a broker on top of our broker... or how do i switch insurers altogether.

I didn't know the can of worms i was opening but thanks all for your input.  I didn't know what i didn't know so never asked these questions about the different types when we re-upped this past year.