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 9, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
A QUIET 2015 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON CONCLUDES
The I.I.I.’s Monday, November 30, news release, issued on the final day of hurricane season, was picked up on radio stations in Philadelphia and Milwaukee. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also released an end-of-hurricane season statement.
MULTIPLE DEATHS IN TEXAS, KANSAS CAUSED BY SEVERE WEATHER
This Sunday, November 29, CNN report summarizes the loss of life and property in those two states, as well as in Oklahoma.
I.I.I.’s CHIEF ACTUARY ADDRESSES AUTO INSURANCE PRICING AT D.C. CONFERENCE
James Lynch’s presentation at the Consumer Federation of America’s (CFA) annual Financial Services conference on Thursday, December 3, focused on the importance of non-driving factors in auto insurance pricing.
FIVE STATES EARN AN ‘A’ FOR EFFECTIVE INSURANCE REGULATION IN AN R STREET INSTITUTE REPORT The 2015 Insurance Regulation Report Card examined which states do the best job of regulating the business of insurance. Kentucky, Iowa, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia all earned ‘A’ grades.
CAPITOL HILL
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) is the subject of a U.S. House Financial Services committee hearing on Tuesday, December 8, at 10 a.m.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
USA Today is publishing on Monday, December 14, a chart based on I.I.I. consumer research about driverless vehicles.
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig spoke with PBS Frontline producer Emma Schwartz about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and the NFIP’s 2017 reauthorization. Frontline is readying a documentary on U.S. disaster recovery policies for broadcast in the spring of 2016.
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore briefed CNBC.com’s Jessica Dickler on the liability issues raised by having a dangerous toy on your property.
The I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart discussed with Nerd Wallet’s Aubrey Cohen Prudential’s launch of a life insurance policy aimed at people diagnosed with HIV.
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian was contacted by The Palm Beach Post after three arson fires occurred over a period of three days in West Palm Beach. Also in Florida, the Sun Newspapers are examining homeowners insurance rates and home insurer profitability.
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz spoke with Sacramento-based Associated Press reporter Don Thompson for a story he is readying on the slight drop in the number of defensible space related violations CAL Fire has issued over the past four years.
STATES
California
Homeowners in El Dorado and Nevada counties are receiving either non-renewal notices, or substantial rate increases, in the wake of September’s wildfires.
The city of Redding (Shasta County) is urging its residents to consider purchasing flood insurance amid concerns about the severity of El Nino, according to this Redding-Chico CBS affiliate segment.
Colorado
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters was quoted in a Denver Post article about an Enterprise-Uber pilot program that will make rental cars available to the city’s Uber drivers.
Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar issued a bulletin on price optimization.
Florida
The I.I.I.’s McChristian told the News Service of Florida (NSF) few envision another decade in which no hurricanes make landfall in the state, and insurers need to prepare for that reality. The NSF piece was picked by The Naples Herald and the Miami CBS affiliate’s website.
The Palm Beach Post reports two million people have moved to Florida since the last hurricane made landfall in the state (Wilma in 2005).
At least 16 groups have been approved to file friend-of-the-court briefs in a case before the Florida Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the state’s workers compensation insurance system.
Louisiana
The National Weather Service predicts a 28.5 foot crest of the Red River in Shreveport by Saturday, December 5, as the heavy rainfall that fell last weekend makes its way down the Red River.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says residents have until Thursday, December 31, to claim a combined $34 million in Citizens Property Insurance Corporation related rebates dating back to 2011, the Associated Press reports.
Oklahoma
Insurance Commissioner John Doak told Tulsa’s KRMG that home insurers who sell earthquake insurance will, by the end of this month, have clarified in writing whether these policies cover man-made temblors.
A 4.7 magnitude quake struck Grant County on Monday, November 30.
Pennsylvania
The bipartisan transportation bill approved this week would raise to $295 million from $200 million the maximum amount of monies available to the May 12, 2015, Amtrak crash survivors, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
New York
Airbnb released anonymous data on the thousands of New York City residents who allow guests to stay in their homes. The information being shared by Airbnb includes statistics such as the earnings of hosts, how often they rent out their homes and the types of listings they use.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has petitioned the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to impose new safety rules related to the combustibility of crude oil transported by rail.
Tennessee
State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville) told the Nashville Tennessean he will reintroduce in 2016 legislation which would allow employers to opt-out of the state’s workers compensation system.
MEDIA MATTERS
More than 15 percent of The Los Angeles Times’ newsroom employees have left the paper since September 2015 (82 out of around 500), The New York Times reports.
NBC’s Nightly News (9.2 million viewers) topped ABC’s World News Tonight (8.9 million) in the November 2015 ratings sweeps.
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
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