vol. 2025, ed. 20
FROM IA MAGAZINE: NFIP Lapses as Government Shutdown Begins
A partial federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to agree on a new funding deal for the 2026 fiscal year. This has resulted in a lapse of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) authority. Article includes a link to a memo from FEMA when a shutdown was looming in Dec. 2024 as well as information on what is and is not allowed regarding NFIP policies when funding has expired. (+ More...)
SCDOI Issues Consumer Alert
SCDOI warns of scammers going door to door claiming to be from the Department
On Sept. 22, the SCDOI issued a consumer alert warning residents to be alert for individuals going door to door falsely claiming to represent the Department of Insurance. Agents, please remind your customers that the SCDOI is a regulatory agency and not an insurance company that issues or sells insurance products. (+ More...)
IN MEMORIAM: Theodore "Teddy" Tobias Mappus III
Theodore "Teddy" Tobias Mappus III passed away on Monday, Sept. 15. Born in Charleston in 1950, Teddy was the son of IIABSC Past President Theodore Tobias Mappus, Jr. and Polly Rodeniser Mappus. Teddy graduated from Saint Andrews High School in 1968 and The Citadel in 1972. After completing his Army service as a captain, he returned to Charleston and started his insurance career with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, and later joined Mappus Insurance Agency in 1974. Teddy is very well known for leading the agency during the destructive hurricane in 1989, Hurricane Hugo, where most of Charleston and surrounding area was devastated. During the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, Teddy stayed up for days serving each and every client to make sure they were being taken care of properly and respectfully. The Mappus Insurance Agency is now operated by Andrew Muller and Griffin Morrow in Mt. Pleasant, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29403. Memorials may also be made to the IIABSC Foundation. (+ More...)
Catalyit is celebrates October Cyber Month
In honor of cybersecurity awareness Catalyit is offering a webinar series, a three-day virtual conference, free access to their online Cyber Guide
October is Cyber Month and Catalyit is celebrating all month long with a webinar series, a virtual conference and opening access to their Cyber Guide. The webinar series on the most pressing cybersecurity topics will be held every Thursday in October. View schedule and register now. Their GetLyit Virtual Conference will be held Oct. 28-30 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm each day and is intended to equip every role in today's independent insurance agency from the service staff to the owner. View schedule and register now. And finally, Catalyit has opened access to their online cybersecurity guide to everyone during the month of October. Enter your email address for access. (+ More...)
See also: IIABSC agency members receive free BASIC access to Catalyit, which includes their TechTips newsletter and solution provider profiles
Annual convention onsite registration now available
To be held Oct. 12-14 at the Westin Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC
Pre-registration has closed for this year's annual convention (Oct. 12–14 at the Westin Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC), but the link to onsite registration is now available for those who want to hasten their onsite registration process. It is the same link you would use onsite. This year's event features an exhibit hall and keynote discussing how to minimize the stress of change in your agency as well as state and national industry and market updates. Hope to see you there! (+ More...)
Agency Compensation 360 – We Need Your Input!
Please participate in our multi-state compensation survey exclusively for independent agents
Agency Compensation 360, the first-ever, multi-state compensation survey built specifically for independent insurance agencies and powered by Big “I” associations, is now live, and WE NEED YOUR AGENCY'S PARTICIPATION. This isn’t just another generic industry report – it’s your chance to get real, independent agency-specific salary, benefits, and commission data that you can actually use. By taking the survey, you get free access to the interactive dashboard when results go live in early November. The more agents who take the survey, the more powerful and accurate the results will be. Your input will help create a more robust, insightful Agency Compensation 360 dashboard that benefits you and the entire independent agency community. Learn more at the Agency360 webinar "What Agents Need to Know" on Sept. 9., 2:00 pm ET. (+ More...)
National ABEN Day offers 5 hours free CE
Broadcasting Oct. 16 from 11 am - 5:00 pm
Join us for National ABEN Day on Oct. 16 for up to five hours of FREE CE! We are excited to return with a full day of engaging, eye-opening sessions that are equal parts entertaining and engaging - including E&O nightmares, strange but true claims and an hour of true crime. You can take one, two or all three and only pay the state CE filing fee. Presenters will be available in the forum for questions and interaction with agents from around the country. Prizes and giveaways will also be part of the day. Register now through our ABEN page. PLEASE NOTE: We will charge a CE filing fee depending on the number of hours taken. Cost for all 5 hours is $5. (+ More...)
Upcoming webinar: Shifting Economic Factors - What You Need to Know
FREE Big I member webinar by Insurbanc & Reagan Consulting to be held Oct. 16 at 2:00 pm ET
Our friends at Insurbanc are presenting a FREE webinar for member agents to discuss trends that will be affecting independent agencies in the near future. Insurance brokers are facing softening P&C pricing and an unpredictable interest rate environment. What challenges lie ahead and how can brokers respond to these new market conditions? Webinar to be held Oct. 16, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, Eastern Time. (+ More...)
Upcoming webinar: What to Consider When Planning to Transition to Agency Ownership
FREE Big I member webinar by IA Valuations to be held Oct. 29 at Noon ET
Our friends at IA Valuations are presenting a FREE webinar for member agents who are considering agency ownership. It will highlight the the questions to ask not only to determine the right time to transition your agency, but also considerations to continue properly protecting their clients and prevent any E&O exposures.. Webinar to be held Oct. 29, from Noon to 1:00 pm, Eastern Time. (+ More...)
See also: IA Valuations works to help independent insurance agency owners start valuation-based planning
SOCIAL MEDIA: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Resources for social media/newsletter content on cyber defense
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, sponsored by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency of the federal government and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Use resources found on the national website (including social media elements) to help your clients stay safe online. This year they are launching a campaign that will focus on the government entities and small and medium businesses that are vital to protecting the systems and services that sustain us every day and make America a great place to live and do business: the nation’s critical infrastructure. (+ More...)
See also: Trusted Choice customizable "Insurance Explained" video series (includes Cyber Liability Protection)
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 FALL2025 at checkout
Use discount code "FALL2025" 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...)