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, January 28, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
JANET RUIZ APPOINTED I.I.I.’s CALIFORNIA MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE AND JENNIFER HA IS THE I.I.I.’s NEW MANAGING EDITOR
I.I.I.’s PRESIDENT HAS LETTER TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig took issue with the editorial board’s opposition to the extension of the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) in the paper’s Friday, January 16, print edition.
I.I.I.’s PRESIDENT QUOTED IN NEW YORK TIMES STORY ON GOOGLE’S ENTRY INTO THE U.S. INSURANCE BROKERAGE MARKET
The I.I.I.’s Hartwig pointed to the resilience of the insurance agent business model in a story prominently placed in the paper’s Monday, January 19, print edition.
I.I.I. MEDIA ADVISORY TOUTS I.I.I. RESOURCES IN ADVANCE OF NEW YORK BOAT SHOW (JANUARY 21-25)
The I.I.I. touted its boat insurance content prior to the annual gathering at the Javits Center in mid-town Manhattan.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The Leader’s Edge’s Daryl Lease is working with the I.I.I.’s Ruiz on a lengthy piece that will look at whether California is prepared for a significant earthquake.
The Hartford Courant’s Dave Moran spoke with the I.I.I.’s Barry about a Fairfield, Connecticut, state lawmaker who wants to ban the use of dog breeds as a home insurance underwriting factor.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Arielle Kass wants to know if highways with higher speed limits are the site of more insurance claims. The news hook: speed limits are rising on Interstates 20, 75 and 85 in metropolitan Atlanta.
Newsday’s Carol Polsky is tracking a Long Island governmental disciplinary proceeding against a Suffolk County, New York, contractor who allegedly took home insurance monies belonging to policyholders.
AARP Magazine’s Sid Kircheimer discussed with the I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters how a homeowner can access the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE).
STATES
California
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones ordered Mercury Insurance to pay a fine of $27.6 million because Mercury policyholders were charged unapproved “broker fees.”
Connecticut
Public concern has emerged over earthquakes in and around Plainfield, and the minor temblors have generated media interest.
Florida
The Miami Herald says Governor Rick Scott wants to oust Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty but may have trouble convincing the attorney general and the chief financial officer to join him in this effort.
Kansas
The disposal of waste saltwater from hydraulic fracturing could be to blame for a sharp increase in earthquakes in south-central Kansas, according to the state’s Geological Survey. The state recorded more than 120 earthquakes last year. There were none in 2012.
Maryland
Six deaths are believed to have occurred after a severe fire broke out in a mansion near Annapolis early on Monday morning, January 19. Investigators are now saying a Christmas tree may have caused the blaze.
Missouri
Nearly a decade after Missouri last limited civil lawsuit awards, state lawmakers and business groups are organizing to reinstate caps on lawsuit awards, the Associated Press reports.
Oklahoma
State lawmakers ought to focus on a workers compensation issues in the wake of a recent Pottawatomie County District Court decision, the Oklahoman’s editorial board wrote, late last week.
Pennsylvania
Teresa Miller, former Oregon insurance commissioner, will succeed outgoing Commissioner Michael Consedine.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
The number of private New York City apartments and rooms rented through Airbnb skyrocketed to 16,500, from 2,650, between early 2014 and 2010, according to an article posted by The Guardian. The New York City Council is weighing new Airbnb regulations.
Another popular article making the rounds in social is from Fast Company. The piece explains the difference between a sharing economy product and/or service, and one that is not. Uber does not qualify as the service does not actually share anything, the story states.
The I.I.I. has created a page dedicated to the 2015 Joint Industry Forum. It will be continuously updated. One of the forum’s most popular topics was how insurers can attract younger employees. The I.I.I. issued a press release to this effect and it garnered over 100 clicks in a few days.
MEDIA MATTERS
Jim Cantore and Jennifer Delgado are joining the on-air team at The Weather Channel’s AMHQ with Sam Champion. They are replacing Mike Bettes and Maria LaRosa.
Alisyn Camerota has replaced Kate Bouldan as Chris Cuomo’s co-host on CNN’s New Day. Bouldan will become co-anchor of @ThisHour at 11 a.m., ET, effective Monday, January 26.
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.
