2025 South Carolina Legislative Session Summary
by Becky McCormack, IIABSC President/CEO
The 2025 South Carolina legislative session opened with immediate attention on one of the most high-profile and hotly debated issues of the year: Tort Reform. Read a summary of its progression through the State House along with summaries of three other issues with laws that were passed in 2025: hand-free driving, car sharing and captive insurance.  Member login is required to access. (+ More...)

Welcome New Members
Agency members

A&D Insurance Experts
Darlington, SC

Carolina Strand Underwriters
Myrtle Beach, SC

Crosby Insurance Group
Mount Pleasant, SC

Main Street Insurance
Fountain Inn, SC

2024 South Carolina P&C Market Share Report
Uses data from AM Best
Each year our national association reviews property/casualty insurance premium data provided by A.M. Best Company along with other data to assess the market share of independent agents in multiple markets and lines of business and our association works with them to assess the data as it applies to South Carolina. Access the latest report (using 2024 data). Member login is required.  (+ More...)

Young Agents Conference registration now open for all attendees
To be held Aug. 21-23 in Savannah, Ga., hotel block/ agent discounts expire July 11
Registration is now open for all attendees to this summer's Young Agents Conference to be held Aug. 21–23 at The DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, Ga. This conference focuses on the professional development of the up-and-coming insurance agents within the state with a great mix of business, fun and minimal time away from the office. Features sessions on intentionality/relationship building, team synergy and young agent panel. Hotel block and agent discounts expire July 11. Sponsorship deadline is July 21. Pre-registration closes Aug. 6.  (+ More...)

GET INFORMED: Trusted Choice Legal System Abuse Toolkit
Guidance in explaining how legal system abuse is raising premiums and limiting coverage to help advocate for change
Frivolous lawsuits and inflated claims are adding billions to insurance costs—and most consumers don’t know it. To help agents address this issue with clients, Trusted Choice® has developed the Legal System Abuse Toolkit. This resource gives you simple ways to educate clients, explain rising costs, and advocate for common-sense legal reforms — helping protect both your customers and your business. Big I member login required to access.  (+ More...)

See also:   Trusted Choice New Insurance Explained Videos

LATER THIS SUMMER: 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 virtually this August (5, 12 & 26). 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...)

IN MEMORIAM: Clifton Heath
Clifton Heath, 86, of Charleston, SC, passed away on June 1, 2025. He graduated high school from St. Andrews High School and attended the Citadel and Winthrop University. He founded IIABSC member agency Cliff Heath Insurance more than 50 years ago in Rock Hill. The agency is now based out of Charleston and is owned and managed by his son Adam Heath and daughter Rebeccah Heath. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 or to the IIABSC Foundation, 800 Gracern Rd, Columbia, SC 29210. Read full obituary, view tribute slides or write a message to the family on his obituary webpage.  (+ More...)

IN MEMORIAM: Mark L. Johnson
Mark Lane Johnson, 66, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away on June 4, 2025. He was born in West Virginia and raised in Virginia, before making Surfside Beach his home for 40 years. He began his professional life as a sports writer and most recently worked as a producer agent at the family’s insurance agency, IIABSC-member agency Carrie Johnson Insurance in Murrells Inlet, SC, with his daughter Hilary Haines and former spouse Carrie Johnson. A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on July 1st at 2:00 PM at Tabernacle Church, 530 Azalea Dr N, Surfside Beach, SC. Memorials may be made to the IIABSC Foundation, 800 Gracern Rd, Columbia, SC 29210. Read full obituary or write a message to the family on his obituary webpage.  (+ More...)

Help Your Customers Beat the Heat With an RLI Personal Umbrella Policy
Summer is here – which means many people turn to backyard water fun to beat the heat. And while playing in pools, skipping through sprinklers and winging water balloons are great ways to stay cool, accidents can happen. Make sure your customers know about the protection a personal umbrella policy from RLI can provide after they turn on the hose or fill up the pool.   (+ More...)

UPCOMING FREE RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR: Your Contracts Are Showing
Attend one of two sessions (July 22 or 24), FREE for Big I members
Contracts can be a tangle of jargon and complexities, especially when it comes to indemnity clauses and additional insured endorsements. Join Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Big “I" Professional Liability for an exclusive risk management webinar, “Your Contracts are Showing! Avoiding E&O with Additional Insureds in Contracts." cover the basics of what you need to know about indemnity clauses and their connection to insurance. Two sessions will be offered: July 22 and July 24, both at 2 p.m. ET (both sessions are the same). Big I member login required to access. (+ More...)

Nominate the 2025 Agent/Young Agent/ Industry Person of the Year
Convention awards nominations deadline Aug. 18
Our awards banquet is a highlight of the annual convention, as important industry contributors are recognized. Here is your chance to nominate the next recipients of the Hayne P. Glover Jr. Agent of the Year, Young Agent of the Year and Industry Person of the Year awards. Recipients are nominated by other members and will be awarded at this year's annual convention to be held Oct. 12-14 at the Westin Resort & Spa on Hilton Head Island, SC. Agenda details and registration to be announced in mid-July. Awards nomination deadline is Aug. 18. (+ More...)

Use ABEN discount code for 20% off
Use code Summer20 at checkout
Use discount code "Summer20" at checkout for 20 percent off our entire ABEN catalog at iiabsc.aben.tv. Discount cannot be applied to bundled courses. Courses are available live or on-demand and can be browsed by category or by broadcast date.   (+ More...)

Use My Agency Campus discount code for 20% off 
Use code MAC20 at checkout
Use discount code "MAC20" at checkout for 20 percent off your purchase at My Agency Campus. MAC courses are on demand, cost effective, measurable insurance coverage training for your team. Great for new employees and emerging leaders.  (+ More...)