To recap the issues raised during today’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, March 5, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I.’S PRESIDENT GIVES LIVE INTERVIEW TO THE WEATHER CHANNEL ON IMPACT OF WINTER WEATHER ON U.S. INSURANCE INDUSTRY
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig appeared on The Weather Channel on Tuesday, February 25, at around 7:40 a.m., ET, talking about the issues raised in this I.I.I. news release.
I.I.I. ISSUES MEDIA ADVISORY ON NEW EDITORIAL CONTENT REGARDING POTHOLE DAMAGE AND AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE
The I.I.I.’s Wednesday, February 26, media advisory links to the new article, which has also been prominently featured on the I.I.I.’s website.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION INSTITUTE’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS BEING HELD THIS WEEK IN SINGER ISLAND, FLORIDA
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian will be in attendance, and this I.I.I. news release offers details on the event. It begins on Wednesday, February 26, and concludes on Saturday, March 1.
COST OF AUTO INSURANCE ROSE BY 3.4 PERCENT OVER THE PAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO I.I.I.’S JANUARY 2014 INFLATION WATCH REPORT
The I.I.I.’s commentary on the federal government’s economic numbers is posted in the Members Area of the I.I.I. website.
GENERAL MOTORS DRAMATICALLY EXPANDS ITS RECALL OF NUMEROUS VEHICLE MODELS DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS
The recall now involves more than a million cars GM manufactured between 2003 and 2007. GM’s announcement was the lead story on the Tuesday, February 25, CBS Evening News.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
I.I.I.’s Hartwig spoke with Arin Greenwood, a Washington, D.C.-based editor for The Huffington Post, about pit bulls and how homeowners insurers assess them as a liability risk.
I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore briefed Matt German, a producer for ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, last Thursday on auto insurance coverage for pothole-caused damage.
I.I.I.’s Salvatore discussed with Kathleen Doheny of Edmunds.com the myths about which color cars are ‘safest’ on the roadways.
I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters gave an interview to Leslie Mann, a personal finance writer for the Chicago Tribune, about umbrella liability policies.
I.I.I.’s Worters briefed Craig McKee of Milwaukee’s WISN-TV 12 on the insurance repercussions of this winter’s storms in Wisconsin.
CAPITOL HILL
The U.S. Senate’s TRIA hearing on Tuesday, February 25, drew media attention from The New York Post and NY1, New York City’s all-news cable channel.
The Wall Street Journal published an article pegged to D.C.’s flood insurance debate as well as an editorial. Both appeared in the paper’s Wednesday, February 26, print edition.
The Tampa Bay Times says the U.S. House vote on revisiting the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act has been pushed back to the week of March 3-7.
President Obama’s annual budget will propose shifting the cost of fighting extreme wildfires to FEMA, according to this Saturday, February 22, New York Times article.
STATES
Alabama
Eight tornadoes touched down in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee on Thursday, February 20, according to this Monday, February 24, Huntsville Times story.
California
Workers compensation insurers were defrauded because of a long-running scheme at Long Beach hospital, the Central District’s U.S. Attorney stated, on Friday, February 21.
San Diego’s ABC affiliate reported on Monday, February 24, that homeowner non-renewal notices are arriving in Scripps Howard, a neighborhood hit by wildfires in 2003 and 2007.
Oakland’s Fox affiliate broadcast a segment earlier this month on an Oakland Hills resident whose home insurance policy was non-renewed because of drought conditions.
Florida
With the legislative session beginning next week, the I.I.I.’s McChristian met on Wednesday, February 26, with the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Bay Tribune editorial boards.
The Senate bill (SB 542) aimed at encouraging insurers to write flood policies is being held while the House re-writes HB 581, according to a Saturday, February 22, Tampa Tribune story.
Maryland
An EF-0 tornado traveled to Cove Point (Calvert County) from Compton (St. Mary’s County) on Friday, February 21, the Baltimore Sun reported.
Mississippi
Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Mississippi) supports The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, the Biloxi Sun Herald reported, on Saturday, February 22.
North Carolina
A Wednesday, August 6, 2014 public hearing in Raleigh will focus on the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s call for an average increase of 25.3 percent for homeowners insurance rates.
Oklahoma
The Insurance Department’s Tax Forum last Thursday drew many survivors from May 2013’s Moore tornado, according to this Monday, February 24, KGOU broadcast.
Texas
House Bill 3’s impact on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is the subject of hearings today, Monday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 5, the Department of Insurance announced.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
PCI & AIA live-tweeted yesterday’s U.S. Senate hearing, with insurers and legislators also tweeting their positions on the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA).
Flood insurance continues to be a hot topic in social media. The Wall Street Journal featured a blog post on its Washington Wire this morning, discussing how House Republicans delayed a vote on the proposed bill.
The Drudge Report picked up the WSJ flood insurance blog post, which was then tweeted by numerous pundits, commenters, and Drudge Report readers.
Finally, in I.I.I. news, we recently released our “I’s on Insurance: Homeowners Coverage” video on Facebook. It has gained considerable attention, being shared 45 times and clicked on 250 times as of this afternoon (Wednesday, February 26).
MEDIA MATTERS
The Weather Channel’s America’s Morning Headquarters with Sam Champion will debut on Monday, March 17, and feature meteorologists Mike Bettes and Maria LaRosa.
Fox Business Network’s Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo launched on Monday, February 24.
CNN is canceling Piers Morgan Live next month, The New York Times reported, in its Monday, February 24, print edition.
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.
