AppState/UNCC Residential Property Insurance Symposium approved for CE credit
Held in Charlotte May 31, approved 6 hrs. CE credit for only $55

The residential property insurance market is in a state of turmoil and the problems and potential solutions are complex. The AppState/ UNCC Residential Property Insurance Symposium brings together many industry leaders in order to discuss current problems and trends and to identify solutions for creating greater stability within this critical market.

Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte have joined forces to present this symposium, open to anyone. Held May 31 on UNCC Campus in Charlotte, NC, from 8:00 am - 3:45 pm. Cost is only $55. It is approved for 6 hrs. P&C CE credit in South Carolina.

Registration deadline is May 27; walk-ins not permitted due to UNCC regulations.

View agenda, registration info

Also in this edition:

Upcoming events: Cyberliability course in Columbia, only $15 for agents

Upcoming education: Commercial Lines Nuts & Bolts

May is Disability Awareness Month

Could your clients use a stand-alone personal umbrella policy?

Offer your clients a Catastrophe Savings Account through InsurBanc

SC Agent & Broker magazine available online

Sponsor statewide junior golf tournament this summer

Upcoming events: Young Agents Conference

Are clients asking about their cyberliabilities?
Cyberliability class to be held May 30 in Columbia

In today's business world, your commercial-lines clients are not properly covered if cyberliabilities aren't taken into account. Recognizing the importance of this evolving coverage, IIABSC is offering a two-hour CE session at a very low cost through the Young Agents program.

The first session will be held May 30 at the IIABSC office in Columbia from 1:00 - 3:30 pm) for only $15. Space is limited, but there are plans to hold additional sessions throughout the state.

View course description and registration info

Registration open for Commercial Lines Nuts & Bolts series
To be held May 22-23 at IIABSC office in Columbia

IIABSC has added Commercial Lines Nuts & Bolts Days 1 & 2 to the education line-up, to be held May 22-23 in Columbia. The series is designed to help participants lay a solid foundation in the understanding of commercial insurance.

"I learned a long time ago from a wise insurance agent that the secret to success lies in the fundamentals," says instructor Terry Tadlock.

Course discussion includes the application of coverage in commercial property, business income, causes of loss form and general liability.

Cost for members is $125 each day or $235 for both days. It is approved for 6 hrs. P&C credit each day.

Register now

www.iiabsc.com/education



May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month
Educate clients, offer them coverage through LifeSource/Crump

While most people think a disabling accident or illness could never happen to them, statistics show that this notion isn’t true. According to the Commissioners Disability Table it is far more likely that your clients will suffer a disability than be in an auto accident or have a house fire. In fact, the chances of suffering a long-term disability of 90 days or more before an individual reaches the age of 65 are unbelievably high: a 25-year old has a 52 percent chance of becoming disabled; a 35-year old has a 48 percent chance; and a 50-year old has a 34 percent chance. The odds are not in your favor.

People often incorrectly believe they will be covered by Social Security, workers’ compensation or their own savings. This simply isn’t true most of the time. Social Security Disability is often difficult to obtain since the restrictions state the client must be completely disabled with no hope of recovery for at least one year. Workers’ compensation only covers if you are injured on the job. And personal savings goes fast when trying to keep up with the mortgage, care and other obligations. Although these programs can help supplement your income you cannot realistically expect to recoup your entire income using these sources.

A quality disability policy will provide coverage in the event of disability. Take the time during Disability Insurance Awareness Month to educate your clients about the facts and the options available to them.

Big “I” Employee Benefits offers a variety of Disability Solutions through our partnership with Crump Life Insurance Services. Visit us at www.iiaba.net/ Products/LifeSource/Crump, and contact Christine Muñoz, Big “I” Director of Employee Benefits, at christine.munoz@iiaba.net for more information.

Could your customers use a stand-alone Personal Umbrella?
RLI's PUP is self underwriting, no waiting for approval

Do any of your customers have their auto and homeowners insurance coverages with different carriers? If so, they're probably a good candidate for RLI's stand alone personal umbrella.

RLI's PUP stands atop existing homeowner and auto insurance to provide an extra layer of personal liability protection. Auto and home coverage can be maintained with any insurance carrier of choice as long as clients maintain a minimum underlying coverage limit set by RLI.

Quoting and writing an RLI PUP is very easy! Use the online tools for quoting and then download an application, complete and send in with premium check to our Director of Insurance Programs, Laura Cornell; IIABSC; PO Box 210008; Columbia, SC 20221.

See also the Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist Coverage 101 article by Big "I" Umbrella Program Manager April Shrewsbury

Use existing home & auto underlying coverage with RLI's stand-alone PUP

InsurBanc offers Catastrophe Savings Accounts for your agency or clients
Accounts offset high property insurance deductibles in a catastrophe

In response to public frustration a few years ago over finding financial institutions willing to offer Catastrophe Savings Accounts, InsurBanc (the bank founded by and for independent insurance agents) now offers SC homeowners Catastrophe Savings Accounts (CSA).

CSAs are one of the options that property owners can use to offset high property insurance deductibles related to catastrophe loss.

These accounts can be opened simply by mail. InsurBanc will maintain the account and distribute funds in an expedited manner in the event of a catastrophe.

For more information or to open a Catastrophe Savings Account, please contact InsurBanc at 1-866-467-2262.

For specific information on the purpose and tax guidelines on a CSAs, please contact the SC Department of Insurance.

Watch your mailboxes for SC Agent & Broker
IIABSC quarterly magazine also available online

The latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine is on its way to your mailbox, but you don't need to wait for it. Read it now online and pass your mailbox copy to a co-worker.

Agency Pre-Planning Pays Off during Superstorm Sandy
Cover story from the perspective of an agency as their disaster plan is put to the test by Superstorm Sandy. Your agency probably prides itself on client relationships, but it doesn’t matter how much they like you or that your kids played t-ball together come claims time. Your team probably does a splendid job handling claims in normal circumstances, but how about when your entire town has claims to submit and are fighting for a place in line with adjusters and repair contractors?

NFIP Flood Manual Changes Summary
Keep up to date with Biggers-Waters changes with Big "I" Flood.

Five Content Marketing Tactics the Connected Generation Can't Resist
The article's author, Ryan Hanley, recommends that you disregard a consumer's "generational" differences and instead think of them as either "connected" or "unconnected." Hanley is a young agent with considerable success using his agency's online presence (also known as "content marketing") to grow their book of business.

Why Google Plus Should Be Part of your Agency's Online Strategy
Participation in Google Plus can help an agency considerably in maximizing its local search optimization.

Read now

Read it now

Sponsor SC Trusted Choice^® junior golf tournament this summer
State qualifier for national tournament, to be held at Pinehurst

The South Carolina Trusted Choice^® Big "I" National Championship Committee is seeking corporate sponsors for this year's Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship golf tournament. The Big "I" National Championship is one of the nation's premier junior golfing events. Celebrating its 45th year, the Big "I" is also the world's largest junior tournament. This year, more than 8,000 boys and girls across the United States will attempt to qualify for the
national championship tournament.

View/ download sponsor form

Young Agents Conference registration opens
To be held Aug. 9–11 in Myrtle Beach

This year's Young Agents Conference will be held Aug. 9-11 at the Marriott Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach with a theme of "Risky Business." Our planning committee has made a few changes to the agenda structure to reduce your time away from the office and hopefully enable more Young Agents to attend. Six hours of CE will be offered, and agency attendees will receive a voucher for a free CE-approved webinar.

Agents who register in May using discount code SCYA25 will get $25 off their registration fee.

Agent registration

Company/Broker registration