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, February 25, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
DISPUTED SANDY FLOOD CLAIMS WERE THE SUBJECT OF FRONT PAGE STORIES IN THE NEW YORK TIMES AND NEWSDAY; NEW YORK CITY’S CBS, NPR AFFILIATES ALSO COVERED THE ISSUE
I.I.I. president Bob Hartwig was quoted in The New York Times story, and Newsday reported that the judicial hearing scheduled for Thursday, February 19, had been canceled as FEMA continued settlement talks with policyholders. WCBS-TV and WNYC Radio also had stories.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
CBS Evening News producer Wendy Krantz is researching a piece on the coverage gaps drivers should be concerned about before driving for either Uber or Lyft.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry spoke with Boston WBZ radio reporter Anthony Silva about winter damage, and insurance coverage, an issue he also discussed with The Boston Globe’s Deirdre Fernandes.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters gave interviews to CNBC’s Kelli Grant and the Boston Business Journal’s Greg Ryan (winter storms and insurance) as well as Newsday’s Olivia Winslow (coverage for burst pipes).
National Underwriter’s Shawn Moynihan is seeking Katrina-related facts and statistics for a story his publication is preparing in advance of the storm’s 10th anniversary (August 2015).
STATES
California
The Consumer Federation of California alleged that a major auto insurer was not selling private-passenger policies in accordance with Proposition 103.
The California Earthquake Authority’s (CEA) governing board held a public session in West Sacramento on Thursday, February 19.
Louisiana
A New Orleans appeals court ruling was reversed last Friday by the Texas Supreme Court, meaning BP cannot for the moment access $750 million via Transocean Ltd.’s insurance policy for losses incurred after 2010’s Gulf of Mexico spill.
Insurance Commissioner James Donelon, who is up for re-election this year, had $442,350 in his campaign account as of year-end 2014, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported.
Minnesota
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune offered this summary of a newly-introduced no-fault auto insurance reform bill. The I.I.I. provided information and is cited in the article.
North Carolina
The I.I.I.’s Barry discussed the use of generic auto parts in repaired vehicles during this Charlotte television station’s (WSOC) segment. It aired on Monday evening, February 16.
Oklahoma
The three-day 2015 National Tornado Summit starts on Monday, February 23, at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian will be in attendance.
Insurance Commissioner John Doak was sued last week by injured workers who believe the state’s 2013 worker’s compensation reform law is unconstitutional.
West Virginia
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the derailment of about 28 CSX crude oil unit tank cars near Mount Carbon, about 35 miles southeast of Charleston, on Monday afternoon, February 16.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twenty-plus states have been hit this month by snow and/or freezing temperatures, and The Weather Channel is reporting two more systems are making their way to large swaths of the U.S. this weekend (February 21-22).
One of the most popular pictures making the rounds on social is a photo of the Niagara Falls – frozen.
The I.I.I.’s pre-Valentine’s Day press release on insuring valuables continues to be very popular on social, with over 150 clicks in the last week.
MEDIA MATTERS
The circumstances surrounding CBS reporter Bob Simon’s death, in a New York City car accident, were explored in this Terms + Conditions blog post by the I.I.I.’s chief actuary, James Lynch.
New York Times media writer David Carr, who died at the age of 58, had lung cancer, according to the Times.
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.
