vol. 2025 ed. 22

Pledge to join 2026 Palmetto Partners program
Support the association year-round to receive special benefits; pledge deadline Dec. 30
IIABSC has released the full pledge packet and is now 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. Pledge deadline is Dec. 30; payment deadline is Jan. 30. Download full information packet or fillable pledge form from our Partners webpage. (+ More...)

IIABSC 2026 Dues renewals info
How to retrieve your dues invoice from our Member InfoHub
IIABSC annual member renewals for agencies have been sent by email to the membership billing contact on record. Monthly payers renew automatically, but will be notified in mid-December if their monthly payment amount is changing in 2026. Dues renewal invoices to corporate associates and Palmetto Partners are currently being prepared to be sent either tomorrow (11/13) or early next week. 

Dues invoices can be retrieved by anyone with the proper permissions using our Member InfoHub. Payments can be made by mailing in a check or by making an online payment using the link on your invoice. Payment is due Jan. 1, and cancellations for nonpayment begins Jan. 30. View 2026 payment policies. 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...)

SCDOR issues Liquor Liability update on mitigation factors resulting from H.3430
Application now available for licensees to reduce liquor liability insurance annual aggregate limits
Earlier this month the SC Dept. of Revenue sent an "Alcohol Beverage Licensing Update" announcing that the liquor liability insurance mitigation factors application is now available. Renewing licensees should submit the application to reduce their liquor liability insurance annual aggregate limit below $1 million along with their renewal. Those not up for renewal can complete and submit the application using their MyDORWAY account. Licensees can apply for additional mitigation factors at any time. The update also said that no alcohol server training courses have yet been approved by the SCDOR, but that they will send another update and post courses on their website as soon they are available.   (+ More...)

IIABA Legislative Update on National Flood Insurance Program
NFIP funding is tied up with the annual budget & government shutdown
Our national association recently issues the following update to Big I state associations: Reauthorization of the NFIP, which is aligned with federal government funding, has become collateral damage during this standstill. Historically, when a lapse is imminent, FEMA has issued guidance. However, they did not put anything out this time and have repeatedly indicated that they will not be doing so. Agents are encouraged to continue relying upon guidance that was issued late last year and was disseminated through our government affairs alert on September 30 of this year.

It is our understanding that Write-Your-Own (WYO) carriers issued renewal notices of at least 45-days (some through the end of the year) prior to the NFIP lapse at midnight on September 30. So long as the renewal bill was issued by the WYO prior to the expiration of the program, and the insurance company receives payment before the end of the 30-day renewal grace period or extension of time to pay the renewal premium, the company may renew the policy. Historically, Congress has reauthorized the NFIP retroactively to capture any policies that were in limbo during a lapse (again, provided payment was submitted and received within the grace period).

As a reminder, if a customer moves to the private market and hopes to return to the NFIP, they are required to pay the full actuarial rate upon returning. The NFIP does have funds available to pay valid claims and will operate with available funds. If those funds are depleted, valid claims payments would be delayed until more premiums are collected, or Congress provides supplemental funding or increases borrowing authority. While the program is lapsed, its borrowing authority is reduced from $30.425 billion to $1 billion. Congress is becoming increasingly aware that they are playing a dangerous game by not reauthorizing the NFIP during hurricane season.  

ADVOCACY IN ACTION: What 199A Means for Independent Agencies
Please also consider making an InsurPac contribution to reinvest in the advocacy that make it possible
As Congress considered tax reform in 2025, the Big “I” weighed in heavily to make sure the 199a – 20% deduction for pass-through entities was made permanent. That hard work paid off with the passage of Working Families Tax Cuts. The Big “I” sampled 400 plus pass-through independent agencies to see what this provision means to them and how much they will save on a yearly basis. Here is a summary of those results. Wins like this don’t happen by accident—they happen because independent agents and brokers invest in advocacy through InsurPac, the Big “I” federal political action committee (PAC). But as issues evolve and Congress changes, continued engagement is essential. If your agency benefited from the 20% pass-through deduction, we invite you to reinvest in the advocacy that made it possible. Your contribution will also help South Carolina secure its SEVENTH consecutive InsurPac championship.  (+ More...)

IN MEMORIAM: Ladson Stover
Ladson Stover, 84, passed away on Oct. 20, 2025. He attended Clemson University and was the former owner of The Stover Company, an independent insurance agency. He was a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Greenville, SC, the Cancer Society of Greenville County, and Beaux Arts. He was also a member of the Poinsett Club, The Cotillion, and First Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish South Carolina, 225 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite C-17, Greenville, SC 29607 or to wish.org (under grant wishes, select local and put in Make-A-Wish South Carolina). Memorial contributions can also be made to the IIABSC Foundation, and the family will be notified. View full obituary and leave condolences for the family.   (+ More...)

Explore the 2025 Agency Compensation Results Dashboard
Agency Compensation 360 Dashboard by Catalyit is now live for those agencies who completed the survey
Agencies that fully completed the survey can now explore detailed compensation and benefits benchmarks for South Carolina and across the nation. Gain insights into:

• Pay and benefits trends by role and region
• Staffing and retention challenges
• How your agency compares to others

Thank you to everyone who participated. Your input helps strengthen the independent agency community! If you were unable to complete your survey or did not have the opportunity to get started, we will reopen the survey in December for your agency to participate. (+ More...)

ABEN webcasts now available in IIABSC online Education Calendar
Use search filters and views to find the courses you want
While previously they were only available as separate links, online registration to most of our ABEN webcasts are now available directly in our online education calendar. Since there are significantly more courses to search through, we recommend using the "Categories" and "Show Events Happening..." filters as well as the three views - grid view, list view and calendar view - to help you find the exact types of continuing education courses you want. The remainder of our 2026 courses are expected to be live on the calendar after Dec. 1.  (+ More...)

Monthly South Carolina Rate Filings Reports: Jan-Oct 2025 available
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 - October 2025 reports available. Member website login required for access.   (+ More...)

Apply now for CIC Scholarship
Covers one full institute registration, deadline Feb. 16, 2026
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...)

RLI Personal Umbrella Policy: Coverage for Any Season
It's fall, y'all! The crisp air and changing leaves are the perfect backdrops for roasting marshmallows over the fire, jumping in giant leaf piles and getting together to cheer on your favorite football team. While these activities aren't inherently dangerous, accidents happen, and if your customers aren't prepared with a personal umbrella policy, they may be the ones taking the fall. An RLI Personal Umbrella Policy increases overall liability coverage beyond customers' homeowners and auto insurance policies.   (+ More...)

IIABSC Foundation Scholarship 2026 application now available
Contribute to IIABSC Foundation, scholarship application deadline March 1
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...)

Read the latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine
Fall 2025 edition features 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year
The latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine is hitting mailboxes, but you can also read it online. Our fall edition spotlights the 2025 SC Outstanding CSR of the Year, the South Carolina Market Share Report and recaps the Women's EmpowerHer Conference as well as Young Agents local events and summer GIVE movement. It also features articles on tech stack essentials, metrics that matter, strategies for increasing agency value and E&O implications of using AI in in your agency.   (+ More...)

Trusted Choice: Get found on Small Business Saturday
Find resources to participate in Trusted Choice "Choose Local" campaign
This Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29), Trusted Choice is teaming up with independent insurance agencies and other partners to help spread the word and show our thanks and continued support for not only small businesses, but the agents who insure and support them. Use these free resources (FREE "choose local badge" window cling and customizable print, digital, video and social ads) at the Big “I” and Trusted Choice to spread the word on your agency’s channels and promote the Choose Local campaign. To guarantee delivery in time, please submit requests as early as possible. Agents are also encouraged to use this campaign year-round.   (+ More...)

Use ABEN discount code for 25% off
Use code Fall25 at checkout
Use discount code "Fall25" at checkout for 25 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 THANKFUL at checkout
Use discount code "THANKFUL" at checkout for 20 percent off your purchase at My Agency Campus. MAC courses are on demand, cost effective and measurable insurance training coverage for your team. Great for new employees and emerging leaders.   (+ More...)