News & Notes

RECORDED WEBINAR: INSURING CAREERS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Do you have a new employee who is just starting in the industry and needs licensed? Let IA&B help you develop and prepare them for the licensing exam and more through the Insuring Careers Certification Program (ICCP) – the perfect program for newcomers to the insurance industry.

Learn how your agency can benefit from the ICCP from our recorded introductory webinar, presented by IA&B VP-Membership Tim Wonder, Education Senior Director Jessica McWilliams, and Director of Career Services Heather Ulrich. The webinar also features IA&B Education Consultant Cathy Trischan who designed the ICCP curriculum.

Watch the recording and learn more about ICCP: IABforME.online/insuring-careers-agencies

Questions about ICCP? Contact IA&B Career Services Director Heather Ulrich, 800-998-9644 ext. 407 or HeatherU@IABforME.com.

MARYLAND COASTAL MOBILE HOME COVERAGE

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) last October held a hearing on the decreasing availability of Coastal Mobile Home insurance, in which IA&B and a number of members participated.

As a result, the MIA recently issued a report which states that the Maryland Joint Insurance Association (MDJIA) amended its program rules, making more properties eligible for coverage. Specifically, the eligibility requirement that a structure located within the city limits of Ocean City be built in substantial compliance with the Southern Standard Building Code has been removed.

While it will not solve all current issues for owners of mobile-homes, this amendment may provide relief to a few, while other risk mitigation measures are being investigated to try to further expand eligibility.

PENNSYLVANIA ACCIDENT SURCHARGE CAP TO INCREASE

Effective July 1, 2025, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department will increase the accident surcharge dollar threshold to $2,250. Auto insurers cannot penalize policyholders whose aggregate claim cost over a three-year period does not exceed the cap.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR FLOOD INSURANCE REFERRALS

Ensure that consumers interested in flood insurance know that your agency can assist them. FEMA recently unveiled a new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) direct-to-consumer quoting tool. The initiative is part of recent efforts to increase take-up rates of flood policies.

After completing an online quote using the new tool, consumers will be sent to a referral list of independent agencies to complete their purchase. (Consumers cannot use the tool to purchase flood insurance without going through an independent agent.)

To appear in the referral list, agencies must sign up: pivot.fema.gov/pivot/web-portal/#/agency-registry/ registration/terms

CHANGE IN CERTAIN COASTAL PROPERTIES’ ELIGIBILITY FOR NFIP

If you have or could have clients with coastal properties, take note of the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act (BEACH Act). Late last year, the BEACH Act was enacted to reauthorize the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and modernize its maps. In the process, a number of properties that were previously ineligible are becoming eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

▲ Some proper ties are added to the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) but are becoming eligible if the structures are built prior to Nov. 25, 2025. Beyond that date, they will no longer be eligible for the NFIP.

▲ Some properties are removed from the CBRS altogether and becoming eligible for the NFIP as well.

Maryland and Delaware are among the states impacted by this change. A tool is available to identify whether specific properties are within or outside of the CBRS by using the BEACH Act Viewer and the CBRS Validation Tool in particular.

To access these tools and learn more, visit IABforME.com and search “BEACH Act.”