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 6, please email Michael Barry at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I.’s SALVATORE CONDUCTED A LIVE INTERVIEW ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL (TWC) FOLLOWING WEST VIRGINIA’s DEADLY FLOODS
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore discussed flood insurance on TWC on Monday, June 27, after at least 23 people died due to some of the most severe floods in West Virginia’s history.
CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA (CFA) CRITIQUES U.S. AUTO INSURER USE OF NON-DRIVING RATING FACTORS
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch responded to the CFA’s findings in interviews with National Public Radio, CBS MoneyWatch, Yahoo! News, and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, among others.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters is working with The Wall Street Journal’s Leslie Scism (she received from the I.I.I. property/casualty insurer premium data, by business line) and the WSJ’s Hannah Karp (terrorism coverage for concert venues).
CBSNews.com’s Emily Pfund will likely include I.I.I. facts/statistics in an upcoming piece she’s writing about U.S. hurricane preparedness.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Joseph Jaafari is readying a story on the cost of gun violence in Pennsylvania. The article will include home insurers’ post-shooting clean-up payouts, if he can find data to that effect.
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz was interviewed by The San Francisco Chronicle’s Kathleen Ponder on the issue of homeowners’ insurance and replacement cost coverage.
CBS MoneyWatch’s Ed Leefeldt wants to do a story on what Brexit means for insurers in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The I.I.I.’s Lynch spoke to The Detroit News’ Michael Wayland about how crash avoidance technologies are impacting auto insurance costs.
CAPITOL HILL
The Highway Loss Data Institute reports July 4 was the deadliest holiday on U.S. roadways between 2010-14, with an average of 118.4 lives lost. January 1 placed second, with an average death toll of 118.2.
The Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a panel of experts this afternoon (June 29) in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Federal Reserve’s development of capital requirements for insurers.
STATES
Alabama
The state’s Department of Revenue says the percentage of uninsured drivers statewide has dropped to 13 percent, down from 22 percent in 2010.
California
Significant media coverage is being given to the Border Fire (San Diego County), the Erskine Fire (Kern County), and the San Gabriel Complex Fire (Los Angeles County).
Homeowners and renters who evacuated their residences because of these wildfires should ask their insurer about additional living expenses (ALE), the state’s Insurance Department says.
The wildfire season’s length grew 19 percent between 1979 and 2013, according to the Desert Research Institute. Their analysis was cited in this Insurance Business America article.
Glendale, Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Garden Grove are home to the sixth, eighth, 13th, and 14th worst drivers in the U.S., respectively, based on an insurer’s study of driver behavior in 200 U.S. cities.
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has ridden in Google's driverless car to assess its potential impacts on consumers and the state’s auto insurance market.
Colorado
Five people died on Sunday, June 26, when the vehicle in which they were riding collided with an Amtrak train at a grade-level crossing near Trinidad.
Florida
Commercial establishments situated close to Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub may be able cover the losses they’ve incurred this month if they have business-interruption insurance, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian was interviewed by Fort Myers’ WINK-TV on managed home repair programs and assignment of benefits.
Florida International University has developed a bi-lingual, disaster-preparedness mobile app for businesses in partnership with U.S. Agency for International Development.
The Palm Beach Post offered a critical look at Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.’s operations and its ties to Governor Rick Scott’s political action committee.
Georgia
Atlanta’s ABC affiliate reports Loya Insurance Company is no longer accepting payments from their auto policyholders, which has prompted an investigation into the El Paso, Texas-based company.
Louisiana
State lawmakers passed legislation (House Bill 25) to reduce significantly the tax break given to property insurance policyholders charged an assessment by Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
South Louisiana residents ought to carry flood insurance—even if they are not in a FEMA-recognized flood zone, the Houma Courier’s editorial board stated.
The privatization of the state self-insurance program’s claims processing and loss prevention services saved Louisiana $9.5 million, rather than the $22 million projected by the Jindal administration, an audit found.
Missouri
Governor Jay Nixon vetoed Senate Bill 847 on the grounds its enactment would “limit recoveries by injured people, and unfairly favor those who cause the injuries."
Governor Nixon also vetoed Senate Bill 591, which would have modified the standards governing the admissibility of expert testimony.
Montana
State insurance department experts are at the Big Horn Resort in Billings today (June 29) to meet with homeowners impacted by a severe hail storm which hit that community on Saturday, May 21.
North Dakota
The storm which struck the Bismarck area on Friday, June 17, was one of the state’s largest claim events of the year so far, according to Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm.
Texas
Two railroad workers died, and a third is presumed dead, after a head-on collision between two freight trains on Tuesday, June 28. The crash occurred about 25 miles northeast of Amarillo.
West Virginia
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency for 44 counties on Thursday, June 23, after the state’s worst flooding in decades.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
West Virginia Floods
The heavy flooding in West Virginia is getting heavy attention on social this week. You can follow the conversation with the hashtags #wvflood, #WV, and #WestVirginia.
The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter is offering updates at @WVDHSEM.
California Wildfires
The multiple wildfires in California are also drawing significant social media attention. For online updates, visit the California Fire Incident Information website. To track the discussion on social, follow the hashtags #BorderFire, #ErksineFire, and #SanGabrielComplex.
Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
The CFA’s report on U.S. auto insurers’ use of non-driving rating factors, and its impact on consumers, has received little to no pickup on social. Among those who briefly mentioned it were @CreditExperts, @DetroitBureau, and @NCConsumer. Those posts, however, received zero engagement from their audiences.
#NJResilience
The I.I.I. did a Snapchat story on Friday, June 24, entitled “Resilience. Recovery. Reality.” It examined the issues New Jersey’s coastal communities face when contending with storm surge and other weather hazards, and also offered a glimpse into the region’s hurricane preparedness efforts. The Snapchat story’s highlights are posted at the I.I.I.’s Facebook page. You can follow the I.I.I. on Snapchat at @iiiorg.
MEDIA MATTERS
CNBC on-air reporter Mary Thompson’s final day at the cable news network is Friday, July 1. She has been with CNBC for the past 16 years.
The Washington Post has turned itself around under its new owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, according to New York magazine.
The average American consumed four hours, 31 minutes of television each day in 2016’s first quarter, according to a just-released Nielsen report (see chart on top of page 10).
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.
