Spring Conference registration open to agents & Palmetto Partners
Popular event to be held March 25-26 in Columbia, SC
Spring Conference returns to the Columbia Metro Convention Center in downtown Columbia March 25-26. Registration is now open for agents and current Palmetto Partners (2026 Partner pledge forms must be received prior to registering in order to redeem Partner benefits) Registration to all other attendees opens Jan. 26. Our Spring Conference offers valuable opportunities for insurance professionals to multiply their visibility, increase their knowledge, enhance industry resources, and engage with exhibitors, new contacts and colleagues. View updated agenda and session topics on our event webpage. (+ More...)
IN MEMORIAM: Ruth R. Brady
Ruth R. Brady, 86, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025. She started working at IIABSC member agency First Charter Company Inc in Marion, SC, in 1954 and worked her way up the ladder, eventually buying the business in 1980 with her husband William Brady working on the real estate and property management side of the business. The agency is now run by her son Agency President/Real Estate Broker in Charge and City of Marion Mayor Ashley Brady, CIC. Ruth earned many awards from community organizations over the years and was a long-time member of Marion Baptist Church. Memorials can be made in Ruth Brady's memory to IIABSC Foundation (IIABSC.com/foundation) and her family will be notified. Read full obituary. (+ More...)
Important 2025 tax info
Dues to IIABSC are not deductible as a charitable contribution but may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. A portion of dues, however, is not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense to the extent that IIABSC engages in lobbying. The non-deductible portion of IIABSC dues for Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025 is 33.27 percent. This nondeductible portion only applies to agency member dues, not corporate associates or Palmetto Partners.
South Carolina are InsurPac Champions once again
Special thanks to all who contributed in 2025
Thank you to all who contributed to InsurPac in 2025! South Carolina are InsurPac Champions once again by raising the most contributions of any other state ($106,940) plus the most from Young Agents ($28,120). Our leadership will be recognized with the at the National Big I Legislative Conference this spring in Washington, DC. View national Big I report. A full list of South Carolina contributors will be published in the upcoming Spring edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine, expected in May. (+ More...)
MEMBER BENEFIT: Monthly South Carolina Rate Filings Reports
IIABSC members have access to the monthly approved Private Passenger Auto and Homeowner insurance rate filings in South Carolina in a PDF downloadable report. January 2024 – December 2025 reports available now. Member website login required for access. (+ More...)
NEW DESIGNATION: Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS) certification
Demonstrates specialized expertise in aspects of professional liability insurance
We have added a new designation to our lineup of professional development opportunities for member agents. The first LIVE VIRTUAL session is scheduled for Jan. 21. The Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS®) designation showcases your specialized expertise in all aspects of professional liability insurance including directors and officers (D&O) liability, employment practices liability (EPL), fiduciary liability, and cyber exposures. Knowledge gained from the MLIS courses will help you eliminate dangerous coverage gaps and provide better protection for your clients. There are five required courses to earn the MLIS certification, which focus specifically on D&O, EPL, and fiduciary liability exposures and insurance. They are approved for six hours of P&C credit each in South Carolina. You must pass an online exam following each course to earn the designation, but not to earn CE credit. Additional study time is allowed after the course, and NO PROCTOR is required. (+ More...)
NEXT MONTH: Commercial Agent Training (CAT) classroom/virtual hybrid series
Build a strong foundation in commercial lines insurance coverages
The popular IIABSC Commercial Agent Training School (CAT) returns to the classroom in Columbia AND LIVE VIRTUAL this February. This course was developed to provide comprehensive training for agents in all the major areas of commercial lines. It is perfect for new employees or those who just want a refresher course in commercial lines coverages. The CAT series helps agents build a strong foundation in commercial lines insurance coverages. Participants attend one class a week for three weeks. At the completion of all three days, participants receive a Series Certificate of Completion. (+ More...)
A note about ACORD Licensing annual renewals
IIABSC members receive complimentary ACORD forms EUL, now renews automatically
Most Big I memberships include complimentary ACORD form end-user licensing (those with a group gross revenue of under $50 million using an agency management system). The ACORD licensing annual renewal and Big I membership verification is now done automatically. Once you claim your license, it will remain in effect as long as you maintain your IIABSC membership and our national association maintains this arrangement with ACORD. If you have not claimed your license yet, you may do that from the Big I Forms End User License block on ACORD's Subscriptions & Licensing webpage. Contact Anita Trevino if you need help verifying your IIABSC membership. (+ More...)
Big "I" Professional Liability: How does it compare to your current coverage?
Use our comparison checklists when analyzing E&O coverage
Our E&O program provides superior customer service and expertise, by IIABSC, and both of our primary carriers provide more than just a policy, a comprehensive risk-management program. Use our comparison checklists when analyzing coverage to find the E&O coverage that's best for your agency. (+ More...)
2026 Education Calendar available online
ABEN webcasts also now available directly in online calendar
Online registration to most of our 2026 IIABSC classroom and hybrid seminars as well as ABEN/ CISR/ AIAM/ CRIS/ MLIS LIVE WEBINARS & WEBCASTS are now available on our online education calendar. Please pay special attention to registration instructions, as DOB and NPN are both required information for most courses. Adding all the live ABEN webinars has made the calendar a lot to scroll through, so please note that you can use the filters and search fields to help you find the exact courses you want. (+ More...)
TIME TO RENEW: Renew your agency license NOW if you haven't already
Deadline to renew your agency's license is Jan. 30
South Carolina agency license renewals are now open on the NIPR website. Agencies will have until Jan. 30, 2026 to renew. Renewal fees are $40, and the process must be done online. (+ More...)
Catalyit Agency Compensation Survey still open for those who haven't completed it yet
Results dashboard available for those who have completed the survey
Agency Compensation 360, the multi-state compensation survey built specifically for independent insurance agencies and powered by Big “I” associations, is back open for those agencies who did not get to complete it the first time around. Agencies that have fully completed the survey can explore detailed compensation and benefits benchmarks for South Carolina and across the nation on their results dashboard.
Gain insights into:
- Pay and benefits trends by role and region
- Staffing and retention challenges
- How your agency compares to others
Agencies must complete the survey to access results! Your input will help create a more robust, insightful results dashboard that benefits you and the entire independent agency community. (+ More...)
See also: Full access to Catalyit technology resources is now only $9.99/month for IIABSC agency members
IIABSC 2026 Dues renewals info
How to retrieve your dues invoice from our Member InfoHub
IIABSC member renewal payments are now due. Dues invoices were sent by email to the membership billing contact on record. Dues invoices can be retreived by anyone with the proper permissions using our Member InfoHub. Monthly payers renew automatically, and their first payment is scheduled for 1/22. Payments can be made by mailing in a check or by making an online payment using the link on your invoice. Corporate associate members who are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring an event in 2026 should consider participating in the Palmetto Partner program, which is also still accepting new members and renewals. Cancellations for nonpayment begin Jan. 30. Contact Office Admin Kate Shepard with your dues renewal questions. View 2026 payment policies. Please also consider a tax-deductible donation to our IIABSC Foundation to support the charitable, educational, public safety and scientific endeavors supporting the industry in our state. (+ More...)
Still accepting pledges to join 2026 Palmetto Partners program
Support the association year-round to receive special benefits; payment deadline Jan. 30
IIABSC is accepting pledges to next year's Palmetto Partners program, which was created for those supporting our association's events on an ongoing basis. It guarantees high-profile exposure to agency members and other benefits. There are six levels of participation in order to work with every budget. Payment deadline is Jan. 30. Download full information packet or fillable pledge form from our Partners webpage. (+ More...)
Apply now for CIC Scholarship
Covers one full institute registration, deadline next month
IIABSC is accepting member applications for a CIC Scholarship that covers the registration fee of one SC classroom or LIVE webinar institute held in 2026. Any licensed member agent or broker pursuing their CIC designation with a minimum of two years' full time experience in the industry is eligible. Application deadline Feb. 16, 2026. (+ More...)
Send IIABSC Foundation Scholarship application to everyone in your agency with kids in college
Please also consider a contribution to support charitable, educational, public safety efforts within our industry
IIABSC Foundation's scholarship program exclusively for students whose parents work for IIABSC member agencies is now accepting applications for 2026 awards. Scholarships will be $2,000 each for one year. Up to eight scholarships will be awarded, and recipients are eligible to re-apply in future years. Application and full eligibility guidelines are available on our IIABSC Foundation webpage. Please also consider a tax-deductible donation to our Foundation to support the charitable, educational, public safety and scientific endeavors supporting the industry in our state. (+ More...)
Achieve your 2026 Goals with the IA MBA program
Program starts April 8 | Register by Jan. 31 for Buy Two, Get One Free rates
Want to elevate your team’s success in 2026? The IA-MBA is a virtual 10-week learning and networking program designed for independent insurance agents to help you improve your people and financial management skills. You'll learn organizational leadership to align your team to achieve shared vision and goals, people management strategy to empower your entire team and financial mastery to build a more profitable business. This program kicks off April 8 and pairs self-paced learning with bi-weekly live sessions with your peers and industry experts for real-time coaching and discussion. Participants have lifetime access to course materials. Buy Two Get One Free promotion until Jan. 31. (+ More...)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Use South Carolina Winter Preparedness Week materials to help clients all season long
South Carolina Winter Preparedness Week will be observed from Nov. 30–Dec.6, 2025, but you can update and share these resources with your clients all season long. South Carolina typically experiences mild winters, hazardous winter weather events like snowfall, ice storms, and extreme cold can impact the entire state. Winter storms can create dangerous conditions, including closed highways, blocked roads, black ice, downed trees and power lines, and the potential for hypothermia. Coastal and inland areas may also face flood risks from winter storms. Help your clients remember to update their supplies early while demand is low. Find resources and tips (including printable SC Winter Weather Guide) on the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website. (+ More...)