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, December 21, please email Michael Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
PROPUBLICA READYING STORY ON THE COST OF PRIVATE-PASSENGER AUTO INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch was interviewed by ProPublica senior editor Julia Angwin for what is likely to be a negative portrayal of California’s auto insurance market and its state regulatory system.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS (NAIC) APPOINTS A NEW CEO
Michael Consedine, a former Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, will start as the NAIC’s chief executive officer (CEO) in January 2017.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters spoke with The New York Times’ Ann Carrns about the insurance coverage issues raised by drones; The Wall Street Journal’s Anna Maria Andriotis regarding lender-placed homeowners insurance; The Baton Rouge Advocate’s Ted Griggs for a story about ransomware and cyber issues; and Private Wealth magazine’s Karen DeMasters about insuring classic and luxury cars.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry provided information about August 2016’s Louisiana flood insurance claims, and the event’s cumulative payout, to The Baton Rouge Advocate’s David Mitchell.
CAPITOL HILL
Andrew Puzder is the president-elect’s nominee for U.S. Labor Secretary.
The U.S. Labor Department’s ‘fiduciary’ rule, set to take effect in April, “likely faces repeal or delay by the incoming Republican-controlled Congress and White House,” according to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. Transportation Department has proposed a rule mandating vehicle-to-vehicle communications on all light vehicles in the U.S. that would feed information to motorists to help them avoid collisions.
STATES
California
Waymo is the new name of Google’s stand-alone, self-driving technology company. The acronym stands for “way forward for mobility,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
March 12, 2017, is the compliance date for the state’s new Anti-Steering in Auto Body Repair regulations.
The California Department of Insurance said it will join New Jersey regulators in investigating Wells Fargo’s sales of a life insurance product. The life insurer in question is based in New Jersey.
Florida
A bill to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance system was introduced yesterday (December 13) by state Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg).
Georgia
The wildfires which burned about 42,000 acres statewide since October 1, 2016, are now completely contained, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Louisiana
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-Baton Rouge) says FEMA is paying substantially more than the federal government should for the temporary mobile homes which are housing the state’s flood victims.
Governor John Bel Edwards’ request to have the federal government pick up a greater share of the disaster relief bill from March 2016’s flooding was rejected by FEMA.
FEMA is closing this week the last four post-August 2016 flooding recovery centers which remain open. They are in the following parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and Tangipahoa.
Michigan
Three people died, and 11 others were injured, when a snowstorm contributed to a multi-car crash on I-96, about 30 miles east of Lansing, on Thursday, December 8.
Mississippi
The state’s Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in a case which could allow contract employees to collect workers’ compensation benefits and also sue the business owner, if they are injured while on-the-job.
New York
Life insurers, producers and distributors must perform an adequate suitability review when recommending either the sale or replacement of an annuity, the Department of Financial Services announced.
Thirteen government employees allegedly committed insurance fraud against the American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC), state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stated.
North Carolina
U.S. Senator Thomas Tillis outlined how more than $300 million in federal funds are being allocated for Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.
Tennessee
The Sevier County Mayor says last month’s wildfires, which killed 14 people, also caused more than $500 million in property damage, Knoxville’s NBC affiliate reports.
Governor Bill Haslam is requesting a presidential major disaster declaration for the five counties— Coffee, McMinn, Polk, Sequatchie and Sevier—impacted by last month’s wildfires and severe storms.
Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held an investigative hearing last week on the hot-air balloon crash which killed 16 people on July 30, 2016, in Lockhart (Caldwell County).
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
Texas Balloon Crash Investigation
The NTSB’s taped hearing on last summer’s balloon crash is online. The agency’s other webcasts are at ntsb.capitolconnection.org. In addition, the NTSB is on Twitter at @NTSB and @NTSB_Newsroom.
Telethon for TN Wildfire Victims
Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton’s telethon this week reportedly raised millions of dollars for Tennessee’s wildfire victims. Parton’s “My People Fund” will give families affected by the fire $1,000 per month for six months to help them recover. To follow the conversation on the campaign, use the hashtags #MyPeopleFund and #SmokyMountainsRise.
U.S. life expectancy dropped
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) said life expectancy in the U.S. declined between 2014 and 2015, citing a CDC report on mortality in the U.S. You can find the report that was tweeted on Thursday, December 8, by visiting @NCHStats on Twitter.
‘Worst Toy’ list released
Just in time for holiday shopping season, toy safety group W.A.T.C.H. released a “worst toys” list. You can find an NBC story about the ‘worst toys’ on the I.I.I.’s Twitter account. It was tweeted on Monday, December 12.
MEDIA MATTERS
ABC News’ World News Tonight with David Muir ranked No. 1 in total viewers for the first time at this point of the season in 18 years. The program averaged 9.11 million total viewers for the week of December 5-9.
New Jersey lawmakers may allow local governments to post legal notices online rather than having them printed in local newspapers.
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.
