CISR Live webinar series starts next week
IIABSC has teamed up to bring you CISR Live Webinars, starting in May. They function just like a virtual classroom, not like the self-paced online courses offered by the National Alliance.

• See the instructor in real time
• See speaker presentations
• Participate in Q&A sessions
• Be in class all day with regular breaks and an hour for lunch
• Participate from the comfort and convenience of your home or office
  
• Online exam for designation credit from home/office the following week
  

Please check out the CISR Live Webinar Q&A page for more information - including FAQs and a short video.   (+ More...)

IIABSC contributes to tornado disaster relief efforts across the state
Contributions so far in Nixville, Seneca, Walterboro
IIABSC has contributed to three separate tornado disaster relief efforts across the state this month. So far $1,000 each has been given in Seneca and Walterboro with another arriving soon in Nixville.  (+ More...)

See also:   Big I National relief funds for natural disasters and COVID-19

In Memoriam: Robert "Bob" Livingston
Robert "Bob" Livingston of West Columbia, age 90, passed away on Tues., April 14, 2020. Bob was the founder of Livingston Insurance Agency in West Columbia and served as the president of IIABSC from 1985–86. He also served as State National Director 1987–89, was named the Hayne P. Glover Agent of the Year in 1992 and served on the IIABSC Foundation Board of Trustees. Insurance education was extremely important to Bob, and he was an early leader in developing insurance education and training classes at IIABSC.  

In Memoriam: Judith Kowalik
Judith Kowalik, age 71, of Summerville died April 16, 2020, after being hospitalized with complications from a recent cancer diagnosis. She was a twenty-year member of the C.T. Lowndes family as a Commercial Lines CSR in the Summerville office. Agency leaders say she was dedicated to her family and clients and will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues as well as long-time clients.  

SCDOI Bulletin 2020-04: Guidance on third-party provider oversight
On meeting third-party requirements of SC Insurance Data Security Act by July 1 deadline
SCDOI recently released Bulletin 2020-04 to provide guidance on meeting the third-party service provider oversight provisions of the SC Insurance Data Security Act (SCIDSA). It outlines issues to be considered when reviewing the use of third-party service providers as part of a licensee’s broader information security program, as third-party providers have been responsible for most of the cyber event notifications the Department has received to date. Stay tuned, as IIABSC is working to provide further guidance and FAQs for agents on this issue, coming soon.  (+ More...)

Our industry is under attack at the Capitol
Our Big I government affairs team is pushing back
Among the many industry issues coronavirus has brought up, the question of BI coverage has quickly hit EMERGENCY STATUS as federal legislators consider forcing insurers to pay claims with excluded coverage. Please read the following message from the national InsurPac Chairman. Our government affairs team is pushing back, and the best way to support their efforts is to contribute to InsurPac. These collective funds help us strengthen our relationships in Congress, which we need them more now than ever.  (+ More...)

See also:   Big I VIRTUAL Legislative Conference — May 12-15 — all members invited to attend!

ACT's Best Practices for working remotely
View links to Remote Work Best Practices Guide and various agreements templates
Since some of our agencies now have employees working remotely, the Big I Agents Council for Technology has put together a guide of best practices, tips & challenges and expectations to ensure their agency culture remains successful. Also included are links to various agreements agents should have in place with staff and customers if they opt to use tools such as texting and e-delivery of documents.   (+ More...)

See also:   FREE WEBINAR: Tech Tools for Working Remotely by IIABSC Technology Committee

National Alliance Updates
For those with CIC, CISR, CISR Elite, CRM designations
The National Alliance has marked an automatic extension until September 30, 2020 for all designees (CIC, CISR, CISR Elite, CRM) with updates due between February and June of this year. IIABSC is currently planning to resume in-person classroom seminars in June, but we will monitor the situation as we go along.   (+ More...)

 See also:   We're going ahead with CIC Commercial Multi-line Institute, June 17-19 in Greenville

Please join the SC Trusted Choice GIVE Movement, benefiting Make-A-Wish® SC
Let's come together for ONE WEEK, June 1-8, to unlock matching funds from TOP GIVERS
IIABSC is preparing the start an annual project called the GIVE MOVEMENT in support of Trusted Choice community partner, Make-A-Wish of South Carolina. The GIVE MOVEMENT encourages SC independent agencies, affiliates and partners to come together for one week (June 1-8, 2020) to give back to an incredibly inspirational and worthy cause.  We have the week to reach 500 donations (min. $5 per person) in order to unlock $5,500 in additional contributions from our Top Agency Givers. We hope to raise enough to grant any where from 2-5 children's wishes in SC. Minimum gift is $5. DONATE, LIKE, SHARE and learn more on our event page.    (+ More...)

RLI is here for you and your clients in these uncertain times
We hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe during the COVID-19 crisis. As you navigate your business through this difficult time, RLI wants you to know we are open for business, continuing to deliver the service you expect to safeguard your clients’ assets.   (+ More...)

Docusign esignature service increases document security, reduces E&O exposures
Docusign esignature service sends signed documents straight to your back-end system, eliminating scanning or manual re-keying and incomplete forms are sent back to the signer, ensuring that every form is fully complete and reducing your E&O exposure. IIABSC members get a 20 percent discount.    (+ More...)

Read latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine
Spring 2020 issue
The latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine has been posted online. Our spring edition includes Young Agents Conference preview and articles on single-payer healthcare, private flood insurance, and 2019 InsurPac contributors. (+ More...)

Young Agents Scholarship Golf Tournament RESCHEDULED
New date is June 29, sponsorships still available
We have rescheduled the Young Agents Scholarship Golf Tournament to June 29 at the Orangeburg Country Club in Orangeburg, SC. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, please see our event webpage. There are spots remaining for teams and individuals who want to play. Tournament is open to anyone, not just young agents or the insurance industry, and raises money to benefit our young agents program.  (+ More...)

See also:   View full list of rescheduled events/classroom courses on our SC Big I Coronavirus Resource page

Last call to nominate this year's SC Outstanding CSR of the Year
Final entry deadline May 1
The deadline to nominate the next 2020 SC Outstanding CSR of the Year is approaching. This award is the highest honor for insurance customer service representatives who have distinguished themselves through contributions to their industry and profession. Final entry submission deadline is May 1.   (+ More...)