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, August 16, please email Michael Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch will be interviewed by Crain’s Detroit Business’ Chad Livengood this week on Michigan’s rising Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rates.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry spoke with The Dayton, Ohio, Daily News Thomas Gnau for his upcoming story about distracted driving and auto insurance.
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian spoke with The Real Deal’s Hortense Leon, who writes for a real estate website which focuses on New York and Florida. The reporter is examining if residential and commercial property owners in South Florida are unable to get flood insurance and if that is affecting their ability to secure mortgages.
Ed Leefeldt, CBS MoneyWatch, is working on a story on assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse in Florida’s homeowners insurance market. He has talked with the I.I.I.’s McChristian and a Boca Raton insurance agent with two clients who say their names were forged on AOB documents.
In its September issue, Best’s Review will publish a series of articles on the mutual insurance industry. The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig has been interviewed regarding the mutual organizational structure in comparison to other structures. The series is being written by Kate Smith (Kate.Smith@ambest.com).
CAPITOL HILL
The I.I.I.’s Sean Kevelighan told a U.S. Senate subcommittee in Washington, D.C., last week that U.S. auto, home and business insurers paid out $327 billion to settle insurance claims in 2015. Kevelighan noted, however, that various studies indicate upwards of $30 billion—nearly 10 percent of the total—may have originated because of fraudulent activity such as staged auto accidents, unscrupulous building contractors, and workers’ compensation misrepresentations. To combat fraud, insurers are increasingly turning to technological innovations, he added. The Friday, Aug. 4, I.I.I. Daily had additional information on the hearing.
The I.I.I.’s Kevelighan, Steve Weisbart, and Lynch will present on Thursday, Aug. 17, an industry market report to the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance (FACI) in Washington, D.C.
STATES
California
The Wildfire Reality Check campaign with CBS Community Partners, I.I.I. and PCI is in full swing and will run through early September. The digital campaign targets wildfire prone areas and features an article on financial preparedness and a landing page linking to the critical websites for wildfire preparation.
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has ordered an investigation into allegations Wells Fargo and National General Insurance improperly charged consumers for coverage.
Florida
The state Senate president appointed Blake Capps to the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s Board of Governors.
An Associated Press article explained how Miami’s vulnerability to storm damage has grown exponentially in the 25 years since Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Florida.
Tampa Bay is the most vulnerable city in the U.S. to flooding if a major hurricane ever scored a direct hit, analysts say. The Winter Haven News Chief says the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater metro areas are not prepared and have barely begun to assess sea-level rise.
Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance introduced a deductible installment plan for policyholders which may provide an incentive not to enter into assignment of benefits (AOB) agreements.
A sinkhole in a Tampa suburb continues to grow, with two more homes condemned. The Insurance Journal said the hole is now about 260 feet wide.
Georgia
Candidates lining up to replace retiring Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens in 2018 are vowing to change the state law that the incumbent blames for preventing his office from doing anything to slow auto insurance rate hikes. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the candidates think the Georgia auto insurance rate review law needs fixing.
Louisiana
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says ‘weak links’ in city’s flood response will be addressed. About 9 inches of rain fell recently in 3 hours, and it took many more hours for the city’s streets to drain.
What caused the historic August 2016 flood in Baton Rouge, asks The Advocate, and what are the odds it could happen again?
Michigan
Federal funding for temporary housing and home repairs is available to individuals in five counties affected by the severe storms and flooding which occurred between June 22-27, 2017.
Mississippi
Mississippi’s top insurance regulator and its only Democratic congressman are ready to cede some of the federal flood insurance market to private insurers, says The Clarion-Ledger.
Oklahoma
A tornado in Tulsa caused 10 businesses to be condemned and 129 more were damaged.
Earthquakes from last week in Edmond are capturing regulators’ interest. Investigators were paying particular attention to nearby hydraulic fracturing facilities as a potential cause of the quakes.
Pennsylvania
The I.I.I.’s Barry was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer story on the issues impacting older drivers.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
Major floods hit Louisiana, Texas
Heavy flooding in New Orleans and Houston this week gained significant attention on social. The I.I.I. is currently highlighting flood safety and preparedness tips on its website and on social. Follow @NWSNewOrleans and @NWSHouston for the latest weather and flood updates.
I.I.I.’s hurricane preparedness SMT reaches 1 million-plus consumers
The I.I.I.’s Kevelighan, Jeanne Salvatore and the I.I.I./Colorado State University’s Dr. Philip Klotzbach spoke to dozens of TV and radio stations during a satellite media tour (SMT) on Friday, Aug. 4 about 2017’s hurricane season and what consumers can do to prepare for it. The interviews reached an estimated total audience of 1,078,066. The I.I.I. will be promoting the SMT interviews and additional hurricane content on its social networks in the coming weeks.
Dr. Klotzbach also spoke about this year’s Atlantic hurricane season on a radio interview with WOCO-AM Orlando on Thursday morning, Aug. 10.
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.
