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 25, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
WALL STREET JOURNAL PUBLISHES FRONT PAGE STORY (JUNE 18) ON FAMILIES STILL RECOVERING FROM 2012’s SUPERSTORM SANDY
Thousands of Sandy victims are living in damaged homes, or paying rent in addition to mortgages, long after Congress provided up to $16 billion to repair Sandy-damaged residences.
TWO FATALITIES, EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE, CAUSED BY TORNADO OUTBREAK IN EASTERN NEBRASKA
The town of Pilger was hit hardest on Monday, June 16, with initial estimates putting the tornadoes’ intensity at an EF-4, according to this Weather Channel segment.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig spoke with the Houston Chronicle’s Lora Hines about innovative workers compensation insurer loss mitigation programs.
Hartwig challenged CNN Money Les Christie’s anecdotal contention that attorneys are finding it harder these days to get their clients’ property damage claims paid in full.
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore taped an interview on wedding insurance for an upcoming Tracee Carrasco story on WCBS-TV, New York City’s CBS affiliate.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters gave an interview to Buffalo News reporter Jill Terreri about the insurance implications of driving for companies like Uber or Lyft.
The I.I.I.’s Mike Barry spoke with Zain Shauk of Bloomberg regarding Oklahoma earthquake policy sales trends dating back to 2011.
CAPITOL HILL
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas), chairman of the U.S. House subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, introduced the TRIA Reform Act of 2014 (House Resolution 4871).
Eleven states will receive a total of $102.7 million in coastal resilience grant monies, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced on Monday, June 16.
STATES
California
If AB 2293 were enacted, a transportation network company’s (TNC) insurance policy would apply, as the primary coverage, when a driver is logged into the TNC’s application program.
The Shirley Fire (Kern County) is 90 percent contained but has burned more than 2,600 acres, according to this Wednesday, June 18, Southern California Public Radio segment.
Commercial construction sites, some of which were operating without workers compensation insurance, were targeted during a state governmental sweep of the underground economy.
Florida
Insurance regulators have expressed skepticism over the Pollock Financial Group’s plan to provide life insurance to thousands of Florida teachers in Pasco County, the WSJ reports.
Louisiana
The Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance has incorporated into a national 501(c)6 nonprofit, according to this Friday, June 13, New Orleans Times-Picayune article.
Minnesota
Several inches of rain caused the Rock River to overflow its banks, and led to a dam break at Blue Mounds State Park, according to this Minneapolis CBS affiliate segment.
Mississippi
Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney believes the state should have a law akin to Alabama’s Clarity Act while having the data also reflect insurer expenses, such as reinsurance.
The Biloxi Sun Herald published over the past week an article, and an editorial, on ways the state is expanding its private-sector coastal property insurance market.
New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo requested a major federal disaster declaration on Monday, June 16, for damages related to last month’s severe storms and flooding in 11 upstate counties.
New Jersey
The contractor hired initially to manage grant programs for homeowners rebuilding from Sandy has rejected accusations that it botched the job, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Oklahoma
The communities of Edmond, Langston, and Spencer felt minor earthquakes on Wednesday morning, June 18, only two days after a 4.3 magnitude quake hit near Jones.
Utah
The lightning-sparked Cow Hollow Fire has burned nearly 300 acres since Friday, June 13, in Ashley National Forest, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Vermont
The president approved on Wednesday, June 11, federal disaster assistance for the seven counties damaged by severe storms and flooding during the period of April 15-18, 2014.
Wisconsin
High winds damaged several buildings on the University of Wisconsin’s Platteville campus, and was followed this week by flash flooding, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said.
MEDIA MATTERS
The Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with the state’s Joint Underwriting Association (MJUA), and against The Star-Tribune, in a case involving access to the MJUA’s records.
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.
