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, June 22, please email Loretta Worters at lorettaw@iii.org.
ORLANDO MASSACRE DOMINATES HEADLINES; REPORTERS EXAMINING TERRORISM INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS OF ATTACK
Forty-nine people died and scores were injured at an Orlando nightclub on Sunday, June 12, by an individual who said he was inspired by ISIS. The Associated Press, The Tampa Bay Business Journal, and Charlotte, N.C.’s ABC affiliate spoke this week with the I.I.I.’s James Lynch and Bob Hartwig about the U.S. terrorism insurance market.
I.I.I.’s CHIEF ACTUARY APPEARS ON PBS’s NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT
The I.I.I.’s Lynch discussed the factors behind the rising cost of auto insurance in this Tuesday, June 14, NBR segment, which also cited I.I.I. data.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, TODAY SHOW TO BROADCAST STORIES ON RISING U.S. AUTO INSURANCE COSTS
The I.I.I.’s Lynch is taping an interview with NBC’s Nightly News on Friday, June 17. The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore taped an interview with NBC’s Today last week. No air dates have been announced as yet.
CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA SURVEY FINDS WIDESPREAD PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CREDIT SCORES
Nearly nine out of 10 adult Americans know that credit scores are used by mortgage lenders (88 percent) and credit card issuers (87 percent) while only two-thirds (66 percent) know home insurers do so as well.
U.S. AUTO INSURERS PAID OUT MORE THAN $7 BILLION IN HAIL-RELATED CLAIMS
Hail related claim payouts totaled $7.26 billion between 2008 and 2014, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) estimates. Hail claim frequencies were highest in South Dakota, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The New York Times’ Ann Carrns is writing about insurance coverage for rental cars, and spoke to the I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters.
The Chicago Tribune’s Bob Weber is readying an article about teenaged drivers who are vulnerable to air-bag caused injuries because of the way they are seated.
STATES
Arizona
The Tenderfoot Fire began on Wednesday, June 8, and burned more than 4,000 acres near Yarnell (Yavapai County), a community about 90 miles northwest of Phoenix.
California
A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck a desert area around 60 miles northeast of San Diego the morning of June 10.
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones welcomed Allstate back into the state’s homeowners insurance market this week after a nine year absence from writing new California homeowners policies.
Colorado
Insurance groups are among those supporting a new public education campaign called No Roof Scams.
Florida
In a 5-2 decision, the state’s Supreme Court ruled part of Florida’s workers compensation system is unconstitutional.
The Palm Beach Post covered this week’s Troubled Waters forum in Boca Raton, where attendees discussed the factors driving inflated water-damage claims.
Georgia
Atlanta’s ABC affiliate broadcast a segment yesterday (June 14) on why auto insurers in the state are filing private-passenger vehicle rate hike requests. I.I.I. data was cited.
Illinois
Should Governor Bruce Rauner sign into law Senate Bill 2261, law enforcement agencies could more effectively combat rogue tow operators, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Louisiana
Baton Rouge had 38 fatal crashes in 2014, or 16.6 per 100,000 residents, the highest rate of fatal crashes in the U.S. for the year, a Nerd Wallet survey found.
Massachusetts
Technological advances are allowing auto insurers to get a detailed look at driver behaviors, according to a Boston Globe front-page print edition story on Friday, June 10. The I.I.I.’s Hartwig is quoted.
Missouri
Less than 18 percent of residents in the six-county New Madrid area had earthquake insurance coverage in 2015, according to the state’s Insurance Department.
North Carolina
Wilmington’s ABC affiliate covered Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin’s town hall meeting last week in Leland, where he talked about having the right homeowners and flood insurance.
Oklahoma
Three earthquakes were recorded on Thursday morning, June 9, near Fairview (3.7 magnitude), Hennessey (2.6), and Medford (3.4), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Oregon
The Akawana Fire burned more than 2,000 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations last week for those residing in or near Sisters (Jefferson County).
Texas
The Insurance Department is holding a Wednesday, July 6, public hearing in Austin on an insurer’s proposal to require mediation-arbitration in claims disputes.
Governor Greg Abbott has requested a presidential disaster declaration for 12 counties due to the severe weather and flooding, which began in late May and continued into June.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
Terrorism Insurance Coverage
Following the Orlando massacre, the I.I.I.’s Worters spoke with Insurance Business Magazine about terrorism insurance variables. BusinessInsurance.com also came out with an article discussing the terror risks faced by entertainment venues. The publications are on Twitter at @BusInsMagazine and @InsuranceBizUS.
The I.I.I. website’s homepage is currently highlighting facts and statistics on terrorism.
Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Lightning Safety Awareness Week (LSAW) starts on Sunday, June 19, and continues through Saturday, June 25. Follow the hashtag #LSAW and #LightningSafety to track the conversation on social. #PrepareAthon and the National Weather Service’s account at @NWS are also sharing consumer lightning safety tips.
You can also visit I.I.I.’s YouTube Lightning playlist for more consumer-oriented advice on lightning safety.
#InsurersGivingBack
The I.I.I. just released the summer edition of IMPACT Magazine. The publication highlights charitable activities and contributions to local communities by the insurance industry. Use the hashtag #InsurersGivingBack to follow the conversation on social.
MEDIA MATTERS
The Kansas City Star has added five reporters to its newsroom.
The Oklahoman is closing its Oklahoma City printing and packaging operations, which will result in the layoff of 130 employees.
David Callaway was appointed chief executive officer of The Street. He had been USA Today’s editor-in-chief since 2012.
More 18-to-24 year olds get their news from social media (28 percent) than television (24 percent), according to a new report from The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
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.
