SYNOPSIS ALL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE CALL February 16, 2011

The I.I.I.’s Robert Hartwig said all signs point to very modest increases in the cost of homeowners insurance the U.S. in 2011, except for properties situated in coastal areas. Besides appearing in the Tribune, Yerak’s piece also got picked up in the Tuesday, February 15, Los Angeles Times. 

The Cuomo administration’s bid to integrate the Banking and Insurance Departments, along with the Consumer Protection Board, into a single state agency has raised concerns that powers housed today in the state attorney general’s office could migrate to the governor’s office, according to this Wednesday, February 16, front-page story in The New York Times.

The Courant’s Matt Sturdevant pegged his Wednesday, February 16, piece to a nonrenewal notice issued in 2008 to the owner of an assault rifle, who apparently kept the gun on his/her property. The I.I.I.’s Mike Barry is quoted.

Barron’s prepping story on insuring wine collections:

The I.I.I.’s Salvatore has been working withMs. Dimitra Defotis about insuring wine collections (Phone: 212-416-2313), and Ms. Defotis appeared interested in hearing from additional sources on this matter.

New York drivers convicted of driving while using a cellphone starting Wednesday, February 16, will receive two-points on their driver’s license, according to this Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) news release from Monday, February 14.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts), ranking member on the U.S. House Financial Services committee, urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner to have the FSOC hold off on making any further decisions until two of the three insurance spots are filled on FSOC. The council has already had three meetings to date, according to this Friday, February 11, Dow Jones article on Rep. Frank’s request. Dow Jones’ Erik Holm revisited the issue of FSOC’s operations on Tuesday, February 15, when the National Association of Insurance Commissioners expressed concerns, too.

CNN Radio correspondent Steve Kastenbaum told the I.I.I.’s Barry he had heard that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) budget proposal included a provision to that effect.

Variety examines whether insurers who cover film/TV productions in the Middle East are backing away from that region of the world:

The current political unrest in countries such as Egypt and Bahrain may prompt filmmakers to find new locales for their projects, according to this Friday, February 18, Variety story. Fireman’s Fund and Lloyd’s are quoted in the text.

St. Petersburg Times chronicles State Farm Florida’s bid for a homeowners rate increase:

State Farm Florida defended its proposed average 28 percent homeowners insurance rate increase as necessary because of dwindling finances in recent years. State Farm pricing manager Adam Swope told a state panel in Tallahassee, Florida on Tuesday, February 15, that over the last almost three years his company has lost over $500 million of surplus — a substantial amount in years with no hurricane events, according to this next day St. Petersburg Times article.

The Biloxi Sun Herald’s Thursday, February 10, online edition reports that HB 203 is now moving onto the state Senate, where its fate is uncertain. MS State Representative Brandon Jones, who sponsored HB 203, said that when someone is denied coverage under his or her homeowners policy, it is the insurer’s responsibility to explain why coverage is being denied. The bill’s origins date back to a Mississippi Supreme Court decision involving a claim dispute between a homeowner and an insurer after Katrina, with the court ruling that the burden of proof in denying coverage was on the insurer.

D.C.’s mayor names new commissioner for the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB):

William White’s first day on the job was Monday, February. 14, according to this DISB news release.  Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s appointee must be confirmed by the District of Columbia’s City Council.

I.I.I. issues updated Ohio edition of A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy:

The Ohio file focuses on the insurance industry’s role as a key player in the state’s economy.

Sponsored by Maine Representative David Cotta (R-China), LD 125 would increase auto insurance liability minimums statewide to $50,000, from $25,000 for property damage, and to $100,000, from $50,000 for the death or injury of a person, according to this Wednesday, February 16, story in The Portland Press Herald.

Washington state weighs measure that would force auto insurers to offer low-mileage discounts:

SB 5370, which has the support of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler, would require insurers to offer discounts to policyholders who drive under 5,000 miles per year, according to this Tuesday, February 15, story, which was broadcast on Seattle’s NBC affiliate, KING5.

Bryant Rousseau is the new Group Editorial Director for National Underwriter’s Property Casualty Group:

Rousseau’s first day on the job was Monday, February 14; he succeeds Sam Friedman, who left the publication at the end of last year to join Deloitte. Based in NU’s Hoboken, New Jersey office, Rousseau’s office number is 201-526-1221 and his email address is brousseau@sbmedia.com.

Matt Scroggins named managing editor of Business Insurance:

Scroggins, who joined BI in 1997 and had been the assistant managing editor-news, succeeds Gavin Souter, who was recently appointed editor of Business Insurance.

Cedar Rapids, a new movie, has a story line which revolves around an insurance convention:

The film stars Anne Heche and John C. Reilly.