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 10, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
THE I.I.I.’s CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER GAVE A LIVE INTERVIEW TO THE WEATHER CHANNEL (TWC) ON DAY ONE OF THE 2015 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore spoke about the importance of reviewing your homeowners insurance policy on the Monday, June 1, broadcast of TWC’s Wake Up With Al. She was interviewed by Al Roker and Stephanie Abrams.
IN A MEDIA ADVISORY PEGGED TO THE START OF HURRICANE SEASON, THE I.I.I. OFFERED DETAILS ON ITS RESOURCES, EXPERTISE
The I.I.I.’s comprehensive advisory positioned the I.I.I. as a go-to resource for media outlets who need information and insights on auto, home, and business insurance.
THE WEATHER CHANNEL INTERVIEWED THE I.I.I.’s FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE TWICE DURING ITS COVERAGE OF THE TEXAS FLOODS
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian, who was in Houston last week, briefed TWC’s viewers about flood insurance on Friday, May 29, and Sunday, May 31. She was also quoted in The Houston Chronicle (subscription required) and interviewed by KTRH, a Houston radio station.
CBS’s 60 MINUTES RE-BROADCAST ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, ITS MARCH STORY ON SANDY FLOOD CLAIM DISPUTES
The program line-up for the Sunday, June 7, 60 Minutes program is listed in this news release.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig taped an interview this week with Orlando’s National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate. The news peg was this Reuters story on how Florida’s property insurance market has evolved since 2005, the last year a major hurricane made landfall in the state.
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz provided insights into the California earthquake insurance market for an article in The Economist.
The I.I.I’s Worters spoke to Investment Advisor magazine about driverless cars and insurance.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry said New York City’s CBS affiliate may pursue a story exploring whether hurricane deductibles have changed since Sandy, and NYC’s NBC affiliate is doing initial research for a proposed segment on high-tech auto thefts.
The I.I.I.’s Barry gave Sarah Lemire of Hartford Magazine information about distracted driving, and how auto insurers view the issue. If you would like to offer additional insights, the reporter’s email address is sarahlemire@outlook.com
CAPITOL HILL
FEMA’s Brad Kieserman testified on Tuesday, June 2, before a U.S. House subcommittee on the status of the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) oversight of Sandy claims. Kieserman is leaving FEMA this month for a private-sector position.
Newsday (subscription required) reported this week that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will investigate the post-Sandy conduct of the NFIP’s Write Your Own (WYO) companies.
U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew complaining of “serious deficiencies” in how the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) decides which companies are systemically important.
STATES
Alabama
The peak tornado season this year (March-May) produced only nine tornadoes statewide, the fewest since 2002. There were only two tornadoes between March-May 2002, according to the article.
Alaska
An off-shore 7.0-magnitude quake occurred on Thursday, May 28; the epicenter is situated about 400 miles southwest of Anchorage. There were no reports of either injuries or property damage on the mainland.
California
The CBS Evening News interviewed a prominent seismologist this week to get her take on the scientific accuracy of certain scenes in the recently released film, San Andreas.
Florida
Orlando’s CBS affiliate prominently cited I.I.I. content in this Monday, June 1, report on roofing scams, with the reporter discussing the downsides of assigning insurance benefits to contractors.
The I.I.I.’s McChristian discussed the importance of having flood insurance in this Tampa Bay ABC affiliate segment, which aired on Monday evening, June 1.
Governor Rick Scott’s first veto of the year had to do with legislation impacting how the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation interacts with its policyholders (House Bill 1087).
Idaho
State Senator Dean Cameron will serve as the state’s next insurance director.
Louisiana
The New Orleans Times-Picayune’s editorial board praised the National Hurricane Center’s new surge warning maps, saying they “should help make the 2015 season safer if the coast is threatened by a tropical storm or hurricane.”
A Tulane University professor’s New Yorker essay (May 29, 2015) on whether Katrina was a natural, or man-made, disaster prompted this op-ed column in the Times Picayune.
Oklahoma
Albert Ashwood, the state’s Emergency Management director, said at a Tuesday, June 2, news conference that May 2015’s extreme weather may have caused upwards of $150 million in damage, and impacted 70 of the state’s 77 counties.
The president approved a federal disaster declaration for Cleveland, Grady and Oklahoma counties, areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding during the period of May 5-10, 2015.
Governor Mary Fallin signed into law on Friday, May 29, Senate Bill 809, reaffirming the state's Corporation Commission as the primary regulator of oil and gas drilling and prohibiting cities from enacting bans on oil and gas drilling.
South Dakota
Governor Dennis Daugaard requested a federal disaster declaration for two counties (Charles Mix, Douglas), regions that were hit by extreme weather, including an EF-2 tornado, on Sunday, May 10.
Texas
The president approved a federal disaster declaration for Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties, making federal funding available to individuals impacted by last month’s severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.
Insurance Commissioner David Mattax announced in a Friday, May 29, news release that he had appointed four members to the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel.
MEDIA MATTERS
The Huffington Post faces an uncertain future in the wake of Verizon’s purchase of AOL, according to this story in The New York Times.
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.
