While at the IIABA 2024 Winter Board meeting, IIABSC Immediate Past President & National Direcor Jay Taylor (left) and IIABSC Chair of the Board Tonya Thomason (right) accepts the IIABA President's Cup Award on behalf of the membership for making the most contributions to InsurPac from past leadership in 2023.

Important 2023 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, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023 is 25.07 percent. This nondeductible portion only applies to agency member dues, not corporate associates or Palmetto Partners.

Spring Conference registration open to agents and current Partners
Opens next week to all attendees - March 20-21 in Columbia, SC
Spring Conference returns to the Columbia Metro Convention Center in downtown Columbia March 20-21 with the best and safest conference options possible to our members while following all guidelines and restrictions. Registration is open now for agents and Palmetto Partners. Registration to all other attendees opens Jan. 29.  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...)

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE: Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect on January 1. This act requires approximately 32.6 million small businesses to report their beneficial ownership to the US Treasury Department's FinCEN. Compliance with this regulation is expected to cost small businesses a total of $22.7 billion in its first year - up to $2,600 per entity - and failure to report could result in civil and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 or two years in prison.

However, independent agents don't need to worry about doing this. That's because the Big I was successful in securing an exemption for insurance producers, arguing that the law was onerous and duplicative for state-regulated insurance agencies. We were the only agent trade association to advocate for this exemption.

South Carolina presented w InsurPac Presidents Cup at Winter Board meeting
Special thanks to all who contributed in 2023
South Carolina are "TRIPLE CROWN" Champions once again by raising the most contributions of any other state ($126,865) plus the most from Young Agents ($37,654) and Past Presidents ($34,650). Our leadership was recognized with the "President's Cup" at the National Big I Winter Board Meeting earlier this month. Thank you to all who contributed to InsurPac in 2023! A full list of South Carolina contributors will be published in the upcoming Spring edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine, expected in April.    (+ More...)

IA-MBA: the MBA Made for Insurance Agents
Program starts March 27 | live sessions to be held on Wednesdays
The spring session of our IA-MBA program with Goalmakers starts March 27. This program will empower participants with the business knowledge, skills and resources to grow an even more successful agency. It is both an education and a networking program built for current and future independent agency leadership to learn skills needed to enhance their agency's profitability and success. These skills include building organizational alignment, enabling your team to better serve clients and applying financial fundamentals to build a more profitable agency. The program is 10 weeks long and combines self-paced learning with expert-led facilitated live sessions.   (+ More...)

VIRTUAL PRE-LICENSING COURSE: 90% First Time Pass Ratio on P&C Exam
Course starts Feb. 5, registration closes THIS WEEK (Jan. 26)
IIABSC offers a live, virtual pre-licensing training for the P&C Producer exam. The first-time pass ratio for our training is currently running at 90 percent. Taught by Big I Senior VP Becky McCormack, this course will prepare your new employee to take the Property, Casualty, Surety & Marine state exam from the convenience of your office. Class meets Monday - Friday 8:30am - 12:30 pm for two weeks. Study sessions are added every three days and a final study session at the end. Next class begins Feb. 5, but the last day to register without paying extra study guide fees is Jan. 26. View all scheduled 2024 course dates.  (+ More...)

See also:   Let us license and train your new CSRs

TIME TO RENEW: Agency license renewal process now open on NIPR website
Deadline to renew is Jan. 30
South Carolina agency license renewals are now open on the NIPR website. Agencies will have until Jan. 30, 2024 to renew. Renewal fees are $40, and the process must be done online.   (+ 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 virtually 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. Each class could stand alone if you don’t want to attend all three days.    (+ More...)

IIABSC 2024 dues renewal info
How to retrieve your dues invoice from our Member InfoHub
IIABSC member renewals for both agencies and corporate associates have been sent by email to the membership billing contact on record. Dues invoices can also be retrieved by anyone with the proper permissions using our Member InfoHub. Payment is now due, and cancellations process for nonpayment begins Jan. 30. Agencies may pay by mailing a check, and they also have the option to pay online by credit card or bank draft, set up an automatic payment profile or switch to equal monthly payments. No action is required by members who are already on monthly draft as their membership renews automatically. Corporate associate members have the option to mail a check or pay online by credit card or bank draft. If they are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring events in 2024, they should also consider joining the Palmetto Partners program, which is also now accepting new members and renewals. Please contact Member Services Director Megan Thomas if you are having trouble accessing your organization's dues invoice or updates are needed. Please also consider using dues renewals time to make a tax-deductible contribution to the IIABSC Foundation.   (+ More...)

LAST CHANCE to join 2024 Palmetto Partners
Support the association year-round and receive special benefits
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. Payment deadline is Jan. 30. Download full information packet or fillable pledge forms from our Partners webpage.   (+ More...)

Apply now for CIC Scholarship
Covers one full institute registration, deadline March 1, 2024
IIABSC is accepting member applications for a CIC Scholarship that covers the registration fee of one SC classroom or LIVE webinar institute held in 2024. 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 March 1, 2024.    (+ More...)

See also:   2024 Education Calendar now available online

Use ABEN discount code for 25 % off
Use code Winter25% before Feb. 29
Use discount code "Winter25%" at checkout for 25 percent off our entire ABEN catalog at iiabsc.aben.tv. Courses are available live or on-demand and can be browsed by category or by broadcast date. Expires Feb. 29.    (+ More...)