To recap the issues raised during this week’s conference call, here are the key media stories we discussed, and the messages we’re conveying.
If there is a subject you would like to see addressed on Wednesday, April 19th, please email Michael Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I. ADDRESSING 2017’s NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE (APRIL 17-20)
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore and Lynne McChristian are speaking at the event, which is being held in New Orleans.
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) ENVISIONS SLIGHTLY BELOW-AVERAGE 2017 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
CSU’s initial forecast calls for 11 named storms, four of which will become hurricanes. Two of those may become major hurricanes. An average season consists of 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes.
BILL TO BOOST THE U.S.’s NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
The U.S. House of Representatives approved unanimously this month a U.S. Senate amendment to H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act.
LOUISIANA AND FLORIDA DRIVERS ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO USE CELL PHONES WHILE THEIR CAR IS IN MOTION
The findings came in an EverQuote study, which showed 92 percent of U.S. drivers with cell phones have used them while in a moving car in the past 30 days.
NAIC RELEASES ITS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Inspiring Innovation included the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) audited financial statements.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters spoke with Ed Leefeldt of CBS MoneyWatch on the issue of bed bugs and their implications for a commercial insurance policy.
The I.I.I.’s Worters also talked with Katherine Chiglinksy of Bloomberg about homeowners insurance and dog bite claims.
As part of its strategic initiative for National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 9-15), the I.I.I. developed a press release, an interactive mapshowing the number of dog bite liability claims and payouts by state, and employed its multiple blogs to share news on the topic. The I.I.I. also updated its white paper on dog bite liability.
STATES
California
FEMA announced federal disaster assistance is available in 42 counties to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by the severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides between February 1-23, 2017.
The state’s insurance department is in the final stages of liquidation for CastlePoint National Insurance Company.
Florida
Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, April 11, as firefighters battled more than 100 wildfires statewide covering 23,800 acres.
The Office of Insurance Regulation launched an assignment of benefits (AOB) webpage to educate consumers about fraudulent AOB activity.
The I.I.I.’s McChristian conducted a phone interview with Tampa Bay’s ABC affiliate about a senior citizen who dropped insurance coverage on his home to save money. The home burned to the ground months later.
Louisiana
The National Weather Service reported at least 17 tornadoes struck Louisiana on Sunday, April 2, and Monday, April 3. The severe weather flipped a Breaux Bridge mobile home, killing a mother and her 3-year-old daughter.
Nearly eight months after historic floods swept across southern Louisiana, the state has been granted federal funds to help homeowners rebuild.
Missouri
There should be no debate about the value of mandatory sprinkler systems in newly-constructed homes, according to an editorial in the Kansas City Star.
Ohio
An article on changes in personal auto insurance from Investopedia mentions that Root, an Ohio-based insurance startup, is offering discounts to policyholders who drive Tesla vehicles.
Oklahoma
A federal district court judge in Oklahoma City dismissed a lawsuit against three oil and natural gas producers over the state's ongoing earthquake swarm.
