News & Notes

MCCONKEY CELEBRATES 135TH ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations to McConkey Insurance & Benefits on marking its 135th anniversary this year. The IA&B member agency is headquartered in York, PA.

“Our 135th anniversary is not just a milestone for us, it’s a celebration of the partnerships we’ve formed and the trust our clients have placed in us over the years,” said Michael Harter, President & CEO of McConkey Insurance & Benefits. “We are excited for the future and are grateful to be part of this incredible community.”

Is your agency celebrating a milestone anniversary? Whether it’s five years or 125 years in the business, we want to acknowledge your accomplishment. Email announcements and images to IA&B Public Relations Director at KarenR@IABforME.com.

WEBINAR: INTERPRETING P&C INSURANCE TRENDS

Gain valuable insights into the latest state-specific P&C Market Share Report. Insurance Analytics Consultant Paul Buse, CPCU, ARM, will share his expertise and findings during this live webinar, Interpreting P&C Insurance Trends: A Focus on Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

This P&C Market Share Report highlights top lines of business, agent penetrations, loss ratios, percentage of surplus lines, the biggest writing insurers, and more. During his presentation, Paul will explore the 2024 numbers and explain what they mean for the independent agency system.

Wednesday, July 23

11-11:45 AM – presentation

11:45 AM-Noon – Q&A

Register: 800-998-9644, option 1 | IABforME.com/eventregistrations/ ?eventId=7352

AGENT EARNS INSURING CAREERS CERTIFICATION

We’re pleased to announce that Julia DiMichele successfully passed the Maryland P&C insurance licensing exam and earned IA&B’s Insuring Careers Certification. Julia DiMichele is employed by Edward L. Sanders Insurance Agency Inc., an IA&B member agency in La Plata, MD.

ABOUT THE INSURING CAREERS CERTIFICATION

The Insuring Careers Certification Program (ICCP) is an online, flexible program for industry newcomers. It provides education on insurance basics, preparation for the state licensing exam, and application of the material to real-life scenarios. Participants have six months to complete the program.

Do you have an employee who is new to insurance and needs licensed? Consider ICCP. Learn more or contact Heather today.

Learn more: IABforME.online/insuring-careers-agencies

Questions? Contact Heather Ulrich IA&B Career Services Director at HeatherU@IABforME.com or 717-918-9441.

PA ADDS ETHICS, FLOOD CREDITS

Effective April 29, 2025, new requirements became effective in Pennsylvania:

▲ All resident producers with Property, Casualty, or Personal lines of authority are required to complete two (2) hours of Flood continuing education (CE) credits.

▲ All resident producers and both resident and non-resident Title agents must complete three (3) hours of Ethics per licensing period.

HOW TO COMPLY

IA&B offers web-based courses that can assist producers in their compliance, including these upcoming options:

Ethics in Insurance –Protecting the Client and the Agency July 8, 1-4 PM | 3 Ethics credits

Ethics, Diligence, Success: What Agencies Need to Know Aug. 5, 1-4 PM | 3 Ethics credits

Flood Insurance: What You Need to KnowAug. 7, 9 AM-Noon | 3 Ethics credits

To register for courses: IABforME.com/eventregistrations | 800-998-9644, option 1

LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS

Are you looking to develop your leadership skills and go to the next level? Then, check out LEAD 1: Strategic Leadership Development, which includes six online, interactive workshops.

This leadership series is designed for insurance professionals who are new to leadership. It aims to empower participants to enhance their impact and drive organizational success.

The program strengthens leadership skills by exploring essential areas such as communications, relationship management, coaching, conflict resolution, and leading hybrid teams.

Each live, instructor-led, virtual workshop provides 90 minutes of practical, skill-based content, realistic situations, and group problem-solving conversations. Leaders will collaborate using a community on the Miro platform.

Online sessions run every Tuesday, 10-11:30 AM, from Aug. 5-Sept. 9, 2025.

Member cost: $499 ($240 savings) Non-member cost: $739

Save your spot by Friday, July 25 by visiting IABforME.com/LEAD or calling 800-998-9644, option 2.

Q&A ON PA LICENSING EXAM PREP

With the legislative elimination of the Pennsylvania 24-hour pre-licensing education (PLE) requirement by the state insurance department, oversight of IA&B courses and content transitioned from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This change impacted how IA&B can offer exam preparation study courses. While IA&B had to suspend in-person and live webinar exam preparation courses, we continue to offer our proprietary Pennsylvania P&C Exam Preparation Resource, which includes recorded videos of the same instruction previously offered in the classroom and as live webinars.

In the interview below, IA&B Education Team Member Susan Zvorsky, CISR Elite, CPIA answers common questions about the offering.

Q. Now that Pennsylvania lifted the PLE requirement, why should licensing candidates still consider the IA&B Licensing Exam Prep Resource?

A. IA&B’s licensing exam prep is top notch! The volume of information you need to sift through and recall for the state exam is daunting. We understand the exam format, and our Exam Preparation Resource offers study strategies to help students pass the exam.

Q. What’s included in the Exam Preparation Resource?

A. IA&B approaches exam preparation from many angles – with a textbook, recorded videos, practice exams, and study worksheets. Students learn the critical points needed for the exam and can access an online exam simulator.

Q. What if students have questions along the way?

A. Students have access to IA&B’s “pit crew”! Our dedicated team of agent instructors are on call to offer assistance. Plus, our staff helps students navigate the licensing process and systems.

Learn more: IABforME.online/PA-licensing

Questions? Contact: IA&B Education Team Member Susan Zvorsky, CISR Elite, CPIA at SueZ@IABforME.com or 800-998-9644, ext. 206.

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

This is to notify members of the Insurance Agents & Brokers of the annual meeting for the Association to be held on Aug. 19, 2025 at noon at the Hyatt Place Kent Narrows & Marina, 3028 Kent Narrow Way S, Grasonville, MD 21638. The Primary Member shall have the right of vote for the member in the Association. If the member of the Association is a corporation and the Primary Member is unable to attend, any officer may vote therein. If the corporation wishes another person to vote therein, or if the member is a partnership or proprietorship and the member wishes another person to vote therein, then such member shall designate such other person in writing, signed by the Primary Member, in accordance with policies and procedures of the Association. Such person must be designated in writing using the member’s letterhead or through a proxy form that is available from the Association. Such proxy must be received at the IA&B Headquarters by 4:30 PM on Aug. 18, 2025, or by 11:30 AM on Aug. 19, 2025, if delivered in person at the Annual Meeting location. Announcement of this meeting is made in accordance with Article III, Section 3.1, Annual Meeting, of the By-Laws of the Association.

Respectfully submitted, Timothy A. Wonder Corporate Secretary