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 29, please email Mike Barry at michaelb@iii.org
KRISTIN PALMER NAMED I.I.I. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Palmer will be based in the I.I.I.’s Washington, D.C., office. Her appointment, which took effect on Monday, March 20, was announced in an I.I.I. news release and covered by Insurance Journal.
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER’s (NHC) DIRECTOR RETURNING TO THE WEATHER CHANNEL (TWC)
Dr. Rick Knabb, the NHC’s Miami-based director since June 2012, is leaving his current post on Friday, May 12. The Weather Channel alumnus will begin his new position at TWC in Atlanta on Monday, May 15.
Dr. Edward Rappaport, the NHC’s deputy director, will serve as its acting director for the 2017 hurricane season as the National Weather Service searches for Knabb’s successor.
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore and Elianne González are meeting with Dr. Knabb in Miami on Monday, April 3.
2016 BROUGHT FIRST UNDERWRITING LOSS FOR U.S. PROPERTY/CASUALTY (P/C) INSURERS SINCE 2012, A.M. BEST FINDS
The U.S.’s P/C insurers reported a $5.2 billion net underwriting loss in 2016, with Hurricane Matthew boosting estimated catastrophe losses last year to $24.9 billion—the industry’s highest catastrophe loss total since 2012.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Salvatore will be interviewed live on The Weather Channel on Tuesday, March 28, at 8:40 a.m., ET, about insurance coverage for windstorms and floods.
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch spoke this week with The Wall Street Journal’s Christina Rogers and Leslie Scism about high-tech vehicles, and how repairing and/or replacing their damaged parts can impact auto insurance costs.
The I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart discussed with A.M. Best’s Frank Klimko the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates slightly and what it potentially means for insurers.
Consumer Reports’ (CR) California-based Jeff Blyskal is in the earliest stages of preparing a story on standard homeowners insurance policy coverages and how they are priced.
The I.I.I.’s Salvatore spoke w/CR’s Daniel Bortz about homeowners insurance coverages this week, too.
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian briefed Lou Jacobson of PolitiFact about the ways health and auto insurance policies are sold in the U.S.
Crain’s Connecticut is pegging an upcoming article on drones to a company that has been retained to take photographs on behalf of property insurers.
Since the call, the Charleston Post & Courier has posted its story on how the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) September 2017 reauthorization could impact South Carolina’s NFIP policyholders.
CAPITOL HILL
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) said the Trump administration’s proposal to reduce federal funding for FEMA flood-mapping could result in higher NFIP costs.
The U.S. Labor Secretary-designate Andrew Acosta is having his Senate confirmation hearing this week.
STATES
California
A presidential disaster declaration will allow governments in 16 counties to apply for federal aid either to repair or replace properties damaged by January 18-23, 2017’s severe weather.
Governor Jerry Brown requested a separate presidential disaster declaration to aid with repairs to the damaged Oroville Dam spillway and to bolster state and local recovery efforts following the February 2017 storms.
Colorado
A wildfire burning west of Boulder prompted the evacuation of more than 400 homes this week as firefighters battled flames in drought conditions.
Delaware
State Rep. Trey Paradee’s (D-Cheswold) House Bill 80 would dramatically restrict the ways in which private-passenger auto insurers rate policyholders. HB 80 has the support of Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.
Florida
The American Consumer Institute had an opinion column on Assignment of Benefits (AOB) in the Miami Herald urging the Legislature to pass a law to protect consumers from costly AOB scams.
Insurance Journal article notes Demotech, a ratings firm, is monitoring three insurers—Prepared, Mount Beacon and Elements. Each one has been sold recently, or is in the process of being acquired.
WGCU, a National Public Radio affiliate, had a report on public hearings being held to discuss construction height limits in Key Largo and the Lower Keys amid concerns about the growing frequency of floods in the region.
After a fierce debate about attorney fees, The Gainesville Sun said a workers comp bill passed its first House test.
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will add risk management and insurance to its undergraduate degree programs in August 2017, according to the Business Observer.
Kansas
A four-story, unoccupied apartment building in Overland Park was destroyed by a massive fire on Monday, March 20, and also caused damage to nearby homes. No serious injuries were reported.
Louisiana
The state is reopening the bid process to select the company that will manage Louisiana’s $1.6 billion flood recovery program, which was formed after the March and August 2016 flood events.
Massachusetts
The Boston Globe examined the reasons behind the recent statewide increases in the cost of private-passenger auto insurance. The I.I.I.’s Lynch was quoted in the story.
Mississippi
In a 5-3 decision, the state’s Supreme Court refused to dismiss Attorney General Jim Hood’s lawsuit against State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. over its handling of Hurricane Katrina claims.
Governor Phil Bryant has nominated state Rep. Mark Formby (R-Picayune) to serve on the state’s three-member Workers Compensation Commission.
New York
2016 saw a 59% increase in the total number of reported cyber breaches, according to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Oklahoma
Nine homes were destroyed due to a wildfire this week about 80 miles southeast of Tulsa. More than 100 residents were evacuated due to the blaze in Pittsburg and Haskell counties.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
Consumer Federation of America concerned about NFIP budget cuts
The CFA recently issued a press release on the prospect of higher flood insurance rates and unsafe building practices under the new presidential budget proposal. More updates on the issue can be found by visiting the CFA on Twitter at @ConsumerFed and following the hashtag #floodinsurance.
I.I.I.’s Ruiz is at the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Conference
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz is currently attending the WUI gathering in Reno, Nevada. Ruiz is on Twitter at @InsuringCAL and the hashtag for the conference is #WUI2017.
Dr. Rick Knabb moving back to The Weather Channel
Dr. Knabb is stepping down as the National Hurricane Center’s director to join the Weather Channel in May. For updates by Dr. Knabb, follow him on Twitter at @NHCDirector and the National Hurricane Center at @NWSNHC.
MEDIA MATTERS
Mary Thompson, a former on-air reporter at CNBC, has joined G100 as a managing director.
