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 2, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I. SEEKING SPANISH-LANGUAGE INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO HELP WITH JULY 16 PHONE BANK AT UNIVISION STUDIO
Channel 41’s viewers will be invited to call-in on Wednesday, July 16, live between 6 and 8 p.m., to have their insurance questions answered. The phone bank will take place at Univision’s Teaneck, New Jersey, studios. If you know a Spanish-speaking insurance industry professional who can answer queries about auto and home insurance, please have them email the I.I.I.’s Spanish-language consultant, Ms. Elianne González, at elianneg@iii.org.
I.I.I. DISCUSSES ‘PROTECTING PROPERTY’ AS PART OF MARYLAND WORKSHOP MARKING LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK (JUNE 22-28)
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore was a panelist at a Tuesday, June 24, Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) press conference and day-long program in College Park, Maryland.
I.I.I. QUOTED IN NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ON COMPANY-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE; GIVES LIVE CABLE TV INTERVIEW ON CLIMATE CHANGE STUDY
The I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart was quoted in this Monday, June 23, New York Times print edition article and appeared on Arise TV after The Economic Risks of Climate Change was released.
NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU (NICB) FINDS CALIFORNIA CONTINUES TO LEAD U.S. AS SITE OF MOST VEHICLE THEFTS
Bakersfield, Fresno, and Modesto, California, in that order, ranked highest on the NICB’s 2013 Hot Spots list, according to this Thursday, June 26, analysis.
JD POWER FINDS OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH U.S. AUTO INSURERS IS AT HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE STUDY WAS FIRST CONDUCTED IN 2000
The survey found customer satisfaction jumped 16 points in 2014 as compared to 2013—to 810 on a 1,000-point scale—according to this Friday, June 20, press release.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig spoke with Bloomberg’s Lynn Doan about a risk analysis conducted for the city of Benicia, California, regarding a Valero Energy Corporation proposal.
The I.I.I.’s Hartwig also gave an interview to Kiplinger Letter’s Jim Patterson regarding driverless cars, and what they may mean for auto insurers.
The I.I.I’s Salvatore discussed with Susannah Snider of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine the insurance implications of moving from one residence to another.
The I.I.I.’s Salvatore provided TRIA information to Jenni Bergal, a writer at The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline. Bergal (Phone: 202-540-6872) is open to hearing from industry sources.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters was interviewed for a Tuesday, June 24, segment about ride-sharing and insurance. It was aired by New Jersey News Tonight, a PBS-affiliated station.
The I.I.I.’s Mike Barry is working with the Worcester, MA Telegram & Gazette’s Susan Spencer about coverage for accidents caused by roadway debris, such as a mattress or wooden planks.
CAPITOL HILL
U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testified before the U.S. House’s Financial Services committee about the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s annual report on Tuesday, June 24.
STATES
Arizona
Dozens of property owners are suing the state, saying Arizona failed in its management of the June 2013 Yarnell Fire, which resulted in 19 firefighter fatalities, the AP reports.
California
The Department of Motor Vehicles held public hearings in Los Angeles and Oakland, seeking input on regulations for drivers licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
The Insurance Information Network of California (IINC) is closing effective Monday, June 30.
Going forward, IINC’s Tully Lehman can be contacted at tclehman@tclehman.com, and Pete Moraga via his personal email address pete_moraga@yahoo.com.
Member companies who want to refer California media inquiries to the I.I.I. should for now send them to the I.I.I.’s Salvatore at jeannes@iii.org.
Florida
The 1.3 percent surcharge added to most property/casualty lines to cover 2004-2005 hurricane losses is expiring on January 1, 2015, rather than July 1, 2016, as originally planned.
The Citizens board approved a 2015 rate package which will reduce the typical premium paid for its homeowners insurance; however, sinkhole rates will stay the same or rise next year.
Indiana
An EF-1 tornado tore through the Indianapolis metropolitan area on Tuesday afternoon, June 24, and was the next-day lead story on CBS’s Morning News.
Louisiana
The Times-Picayune reports U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu pushed through an Appropriations subcommittee a $16 million increase in FEMA’s budget for its flood map update efforts.
Minnesota
Governor Mark Dayton declared a state of emergency in 35 counties on Thursday, June 19, due in large part to this month’s severe flooding. Downtown St. Paul was inundated.
Mississippi
U.S. Senator Thad Cochran narrowly prevailed in a Republican primary on Tuesday, June 24, fighting off a spirited challenge from state Senator Chris McDaniel.
Ohio
The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a Flash Flood Watch for all of northeastern Ohio on Tuesday, June 24, after days of heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Oklahoma
Insurance Commissioner John Doak received more than 77 percent of the vote, easily winning a contested Republican primary on Tuesday, June 24.
South Carolina
The state’s Wind and Hail Underwriting Association saw its policy count drop 14 percent between 2011 and 2014, according to this Sunday, June 22, Charleston Post and Courier story.
Texas
Six Flags over Texas in Arlington was forced to close on Wednesday, June 25, because of extensive flash flooding in the northern part of the state.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
Lightning Safety Awareness Week (LSAW) began on Sunday, June 22, and ended on Saturday, June 28. The I.I.I. has been engaging with the Lightning Safety campaign via social by sending out related articles and videos under the hashtag #LSAW2014 & #LightningSafety. The I.I.I.’s Buzzfeed article on Lightning Myths did very well on social. It was clicked on over 100 times in a few days.
The Tuesday, June 24, College Park, Maryland workshop on Lightning Safety also received good social media pick-up.
MEDIA MATTERS
David Muir will succeed Diane Sawyer as the anchor of ABC’s World News effective September 2, 2014.
Americans’ confidence in news media sources remains low, whether it is newspapers, TV, or the Internet, according to a Thursday, June 19, Gallup survey.
Mary Alice Williams, formerly of CNN, will anchor effective Tuesday, July 1, NJTV News, a weeknight news program broadcast on New Jersey’s public television network.
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.
