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 1, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I. WINS THE INSURANCE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION’S (IMCA) 2015 INNOVATION TORCHBEARER AWARD
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore accepted the award this week on the company’s behalf at IMCA’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
I.I.I. MARKS LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK (JUNE 21-27)
The I.I.I.’s annual analysis of the frequency and severity of lightning claims received widespread media attention.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION INSTITUTE (LPI), FEDERAL ALLIANCE FOR SAFE HOMES (FLASH) RELEASE ‘PROTECT YOUR HOME IN A FLASH’
Kim Loehr, the LPI’s director of communications, is featured in the four-plus minute video. It is hosted by former CNN Miami bureau chief and on-air reporter John Zarrella.
GOOGLE STUDY OFFERS GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CONNECT WITH U.S. HISPANICS ONLINE
The I.I.I.’s Elianne González said Google found that 1) cultural relevance drives engagement and influence; and 2) U.S. Hispanics are often bilingual but frequently use Spanish words when conducting web searches.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAD THE NATION’S HIGHEST PER CAPITA VEHICLE THEFT RATE IN 2014, NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU (NICB) REPORTS
The NICB found that seven of the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for vehicle thefts were in California. The other MSAs on the Top 10 list were in the state of Washington (Seattle and Spokane) and Texas (Odessa).
DERECHO RIPS ACROSS NORTHERN PLAINS, CAUSING DAMAGE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA TO WISCONSIN
The severe weather system on Monday, June 22, also impacted parts of northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, according to The Weather Channel.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry was interviewed by Chicago’s ABC affiliate for a segment on an insurance dispute between an Aurora, Illinois, car wash operator and one of its customers over who should pay to repair a vehicle damaged by the car wash.
Selina Wang of Bloomberg wants to know whether U.S. auto insurers are selling telematics-derived data to third parties. Ms. Wang heard the issue discussed late last month at an investor conference.
June Torbati of Reuters requested—and received—from the I.I.I. the direct premiums written (DPW) for earthquake insurance in Oklahoma dating back to 2007. That number has grown statewide to more than $16 million in 2014. It stood at a little over $4 million in 2007.
CAPITOL HILL
There was no systemic underpayment of FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims after Sandy, a U.S. Senate Banking committee investigation found. The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig submitted a letter to Newsday’s editor to highlight the committee’s findings.
STATES
Alaska
More than 250 wildfires are burning statewide this week; around 150 of them started since Saturday, June 20.
Arizona
The Kearny River Fire prompted mandatory residential evacuations on Wednesday, June 17, in Kearny (Pinal County), about 90 miles southeast of Phoenix.
Arkansas
Governor Asa Hutchinson requested a federal disaster declaration for multiple counties due to the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred in the state on May 7, 2015, and afterwards.
The University of Central Arkansas is establishing an Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame.
California
Uber drivers are employees, not independent contractors, a judge ruled.
Wildfires in San Bernardino National Forest have burned more than 17,000 acres.
The Alameda County district attorney is investigating the cause of a balcony collapse last week in Berkeley, which killed six people.
Twelve members of the state Assembly’s Insurance Committee formally asked Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to abandon a proposed regulation which could adversely impact “affinity group automobile insurance rates.”
Florida
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s residential policyholders will face rate increases averaging 3.2 percent in 2016, with 8.6 percent hikes envisioned next year for coastal properties.
Georgia SNL Financial reports the state’s top auto insurers last year raised rates 8.6 percent on average, the nation’s highest collective hike in 2014.
Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens has announced the 12th annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo is being held on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Home Depot, 1901 E. Victory Drive, Savannah.
Illinois
The Coal City tornado was classified as an EF-3, the most intense twister to hit the region since August 1990, according to the National Weather Service. It was one of nine tornadoes to touch down in the northern part of the state, southwest of Chicago, on Monday, June 22.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed a bill (SB 250) that would have allowed law enforcement to use automatic license plate scanners to catch uninsured drivers. Jindal said the program would allow the state to collect too much personal data.
Insurance Commissioner James Donelon wants FEMA to extend its deadline for filing Proof of Loss statements to eight months—from 60 days—for individuals affected by this month’s flooding near Shreveport.
Maryland
FEMA rejected Governor Larry Hogan’s request for federal aid to help Baltimore and the state recover millions of dollars in losses stemming from the April 2015 riots.
Missouri Heavy rainfall this spring caused flash floods in Lincoln and St. Charles counties yet policymakers are unwilling to create a flood plain management that would protect communities when either the Missouri or Mississippi overflows, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s editorial board writes.
New Jersey
Richard Badolato, an attorney at Connell Foley, is expected to succeed outgoing Commissioner Ken Kobylowski as head of the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI).
Oklahoma
The southern part of the state was hit with torrential rainfall on Thursday, June 18, as Tropical Depression Bill stalled south of Oklahoma City. It prompted record-breaking river flooding near the Arbuckle Mountains.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
The Chicago Tribune published a story about the potentially lethal connection between keyless auto ignitions and carbon monoxide poisoning. The article says people who drive keyless cars can park the vehicle and accidentally leave it running, putting them at risk. The Tribune article received a lot of pick up on social. The I.I.I. posted the story on its social media feeds and the piece was shared over 40 times via the I.I.I.’s Facebook page.
Lightning Safety Awareness Week (LSAW) began on Sunday, June 21, and concludes on Saturday, June 27. The I.I.I. has been engaging in LSAW via social by sending out relevant articles and videos under the hashtag #LSAW and #LightningSafety.
Following its selection as the 2015 recipient of the IMCA Innovation Torchbearer award, the I.I.I. received congratulations via social media from insurance agents, insurers and consumers.
MEDIA MATTERS
Daniel Villanueva, founder of Univision, died in California on Thursday, June 18. The former professional football player was 77.
Lester Holt was named permanent anchor of NBC’s Nightly News, while Brian Williams will move to MSNBC.
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.
