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, September 3, please email Mike Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HIT WITH LARGEST EARTHQUAKE IN 25 YEARS; 6.0 MAGNITUDE’S EPICENTER ONLY A FEW MILES FROM NAPA
The I.I.I. issued a same-day media advisory on Sunday, August 24, and followed up with news releases on residential and commercial coverage while conducting dozens of media interviews.
HURRICANE CRISTOBAL TRAVELS TO THE NORTHEAST, FAR AWAY FROM THE U.S. COASTLINE
Miami’s CBS affiliate offered this graphic, projecting the Category 1 hurricane’s path for the balance of this week (August 25-29).
STORIES IN THE WORKS
I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore was interviewed by Janis Mara, a California-based Claycord.com reporter, about the insurance implications of moving violations, as well as damaging a rental car.
I.I.I.’s Mike Barry spoke with Detroit Free Press columnist Susan Tompor for this article. It was pegged to the torrential rains which flooded parts of that city earlier this month.
CAPITOL HILL
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page offered this week a spirited critique of the Dodd-Frank law’s insistence on regulating insurers and banks in comparable ways.
STATES
Arizona
State Treasurer Doug Ducey won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face Democrat Fred DuVal this fall in the race to succeed retiring Governor Jan Brewer.
California
The Motor Vehicle Department’s new rules for self-driving cars take effect on Sept. 16, and require operators to take “immediate physical control” of the vehicle on public roads, if necessary.
Florida
Former Governor Charlie Crist won the Democratic gubernatorial primary with 74 percent of the vote and will face Governor Rick Scott in November.
Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn vetoed legislation (HB 4075 and 5531) which would have governed transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, inviting an override attempt.
Louisiana
The federal government forgave $391 million in unpaid FEMA disaster loans from Katrina, many of which were made to municipalities, the Times-Picayune reports.
Citing the Federal Arbitration Act, U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier sided with BP, and against two companies who were seeking immediate payment of BP oil spill settlement monies.
Mississippi
The Biloxi Sun Herald revived today the Consumer Federation of America’s latest effort to criticize auto insurer use of ‘price optimization,’ and how it allegedly harms loyal policyholders.
Pennsylvania
Penn Live revisited this week the sinkhole exclusion in a standard homeowner’s policy, referencing the October 2013 sinkhole which displaced nine families in Palmyra (Lebanon County).
New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing two rivals, Zephyr Teachout and Randy Credico, in the state’s Tuesday, Sept. 9 gubernatorial primary.
North Carolina
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin was asked on-air by Raleigh’s CBS affiliate what could be done to reduce the number of ‘consent to rate’ letters being issued to homeowners.
South Carolina
In a deal valued at $218 million, Columbia-based Companion Property and Casualty Insurance Co. is being sold to Enstar Group Ltd., the Charleston Post and Courier reports.
Vermont
Scott Milne won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin in November.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake which struck Napa, California has been a big topic in social. One of the most-shared pieces of information was that only six percent of Napa homeowners have earthquake insurance, according to the California Earthquake Authority. According to this article, the reason many people don’t buy an earthquake policy is because it is too expensive.
In international news, fears of another volcanic eruption in Iceland continued this week as earthquakes continue to hit that nation. According to an article posted on Mashable, 2,300 earthquakes were recorded in three days alone. Some airlines began diverting flights amid concerns the current situation is comparable to Iceland’s 2010 volcanic eruption.
Closer to home, the I.I.I. created a new Back to School Pinterest board.
MEDIA MATTERS
A number of CNN employees will be offered voluntary buyouts, and additional staff reductions may follow, according to CNN chief executive Jeff Zucker.
NBC News’ president reflected on her first year in that position in this Monday, August 25, New York Times print edition story.
The I.I.I. is cited regularly in the media as an authoritative source of insurance information. To access the current I.I.I. press clips, click here
For an I.I.I. Blog search, click here.
A comparable synopsis will be circulated each week.
