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, July 12th, please email Michael Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
Third Named Storm Of 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season May Develop This Week
The National Hurricane Center is offering regular updates on the storm system. Tropical Storms Bret and Cindy occurred in late June.
I.I.I. Fireworks Safety Article Appears On Property Casualty 360 Website
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters had a by-lined article posted to PC 360’s website on Monday, July 3.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore is conducting a live interview with The Weather Channel on Friday, July 7, at 11:40 a.m., ET, about the insurance implications of lightning-caused damage.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry will appear soon on This Week in Texas, having recently taped an interview with CBS Radio reporter Mitch Carr about the reauthorization of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
STATES
California
During an undercover sting operation in Santee (San Diego County), the Contractors State License Board caught 14 suspected unlicensed home contractors.
A hiking trail that links visitors to tourist attractions in south Big Sur reopened on Saturday, July 1, after being closed since February 2017 because of a collapsed bridge and a massive landslide.
Sacramento has been chosen by Volkswagen as its first “Green City.” The car maker announced last week that Volkswagen plans to spend $44 million building an electric-car sharing service and vehicle-charging stations.
Florida
Hundreds of thousands of condominium owners are facing financial pressure to install fire-safety devices in older buildings following Governor Rick Scott’s veto of a bill that would have allowed them to avoid the work altogether.
Orlando’s CBS affiliate reports windshield scammers are claiming to work for state government and are telling people in the city of Casselberry a new law was enacted requiring Floridians to replace their windshields every six months.
The Orlando Sentinel published an editorial: Don't delay any longer in cracking down on insurance abuse.
A Lakeland Ledger editorial suggests is it time to flood the Florida insurance market with consumer choices for flood insurance.
Kansas
Insurance Commissioner Ken Seltzer may launch a Republican gubernatorial primary challenge in 2018 against Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, according to the Kansas City Star.
Louisiana
Around 30 percent of the homeowners impacted by the February 2017 EF-3 tornado in New Orleans East had no insurance coverage on their property, according to a New Orleans Advocate article. Approximately 300 households are still unable to return home.
The U.S. Senate’s NFIP bills are “far superior” to those developed in the U.S. House, which “punish homeowners who happen to live on or near the water,” the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s editorial board states.
The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) could reduce the services rendered by NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Nevada
The Earthstone Fire began on Monday, July 3, and has burned 20,000-plus acres and prompted home evacuations near Sparks.
New Jersey
The state’s Attorney General announced two Monmouth County brothers were each sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for the roles they played in a massive auto insurance fraud scheme.
Oklahoma
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Alfalfa County, in the northwestern part of the state, on Saturday morning, July 1. No damage or injuries were reported.
A judge is being asked to disburse $100,000 from the auto insurance policy of a driver who killed four people and injured dozens of others in October 2015 at Oklahoma State’s homecoming parade.
Pennsylvania
More than 110,000 chickens are believed to have died in a fire that destroyed a barn at Hillandale Farms in Adams County, about 30 miles southwest of Harrisburg.
The I.I.I.’s Barry conducted a phone interview with Pittsburgh’s ABC affiliate about the need for having commercial insurance coverage if a driver wants to use a private-passenger vehicle for a business purpose.
Rhode Island
A House bill would allow the state to track down uninsured motorists by scanning their license plates.
Wisconsin
Six adults died after a private plane crashed near Phillips (Price County) on Saturday morning, July 1.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
I.I.I.’s PC 360 article focuses on coverage for July 4 celebrations
The story on fireworks and insurance by the I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters can be found on our Twitter account, at @III_LorettaW and at @PC_360.
Earthstone Fire
Nevada's Earthstone Fire has been receiving strong attention on social. The fire grew to 25,000 acres and was 20 percent contained as of Tuesday night, July 4. There have to date been no structures threatened and no reported injuries. For more updates on the fire, follow @NVEmergencyMgmt and @NWSReno on Twitter.
MEDIA MATTERS
Red Ventures is purchasing Bankrate, the online publishing company.
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.
