To recap the issues raised during last 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, March 22, please email Mike Barry at michaelb@iii.org
U.S. CHARGES FOUR INDIVIDUALS WITH HACKING YAHOO
Four defendants, including two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), were indicted for computer hacking and economic espionage dating back to 2014, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
BLIZZARD HIT MULTIPLE NORTHEASTERN STATES ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters was quoted in a USA Today story on coverage for winter-caused damage after the I.I.I. issued a release on the topic. The Terms +Conditions blog also discussed the insurance implications of the storm.
I.I.I’s CHIEF ECONOMIST CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY’S FINANCIALS
Dr. Steven Weisbart’s Wednesday, March 15, PowerPoint presentation is posted on the I.I.I. website.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE JUMPED 7.6 PERCENT OVER THE PAST YEAR
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the increase occurred between February 2016 and February 2017.
ALISA BREESE NAMED DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, AT INSURANCE INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (IICF)
Ms. Breese can be reached at 949-481-3741, or via email at abreese@iicf.org
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The Wall Street Journal’s Detroit-based Christina Rogers, an auto writer, is developing a story on how replacing or repairing high-tech auto parts can impact the cost of private-passenger auto insurance.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry spoke with The Muscatine Journal’s Liora Engel-Smith about coverage for severe weather events (see IOWA section below for details).
CAPITOL HILL
The U.S. had its sixth warmest winter on record, with the average temperature across the contiguous U.S. 3.7 degrees above average (35.9 degrees), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced.
More than 4,000 people were killed in U.S. crashes involving large trucks in 2015, a 4.1 percent increase over 2014 and the highest number since 2008, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
STATES
California
The owner of a janitorial company, which provided services to some of San Diego’s top hotels, pled guilty yesterday (March 14) to an elaborate scheme that involved avoiding paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
The Los Angeles District Attorney announced yesterday the sentencing of three individuals convicted in a workers’ compensation fraud case.
Assembly Bill 970 is aimed at reducing distracted driving statewide.
Florida
State Senator Dorothy Hukill’s (R-Port Orange) assignment of benefits (AOB) reform bill (SB 1038) would reduce the number of litigated homeowner’s insurance claims, The Wall Street Journal’s editors believe.
Scientists are concerned a 17 percent reduction in the U.S. Commerce Department’s budget could hurt NOAA’s hurricane forecasting and climate research operations, the Miami Herald reports.
Iowa
Numerous buildings were either damaged or destroyed, and electricity was knocked out, as a powerful wave of thunderstorms swept across the southeastern part of the state on Monday, March 6.
Kansas
The number of fatalities on the state’s roadways increased 22 percent in 2016 (432 deaths) as compared to 2015, according to the Associated Press.
Louisiana
A Baton Rouge Advocate columnist revisited New Orleans East more than a month after six tornadoes touched down in the southeastern part of the state, damaging hundreds of properties.
Missouri
More than 400 homes and numerous commercial structures were impacted by, and are still recovering from, the EF-3 tornado that swept through Oak Grove on Monday night, March 6.
New York
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) is encouraging insurers to submit disaster preparedness courses for approval by DFS so homeowners and renters who enroll in them may seek DFS-approved policy discounts from their insurers.
Oklahoma
Nearly 70,000 acres were impacted by wildfires this month; a number of Harper County communities had to evacuate, The Oklahoman reports.
MEDIA MATTERS
Sinclair Broadcast Group appears ready to acquire all of Tribune Media Co.’s assets, which include 42 local TV stations as well as stakes in the Food Network and the WGN cable network.
Chris Cillizza is leaving the Washington Post for CNN.
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
A comparable synopsis will be circulated each week.
