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, April 2, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
EIGHTEEN ARE CONFIRMED DEAD, SCORES MISSING, AFTER LANDSLIDE IN SMALL TOWN 55 MILES NORTH OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
The NW Insurance Council issued a news release on the coverage issues arising out of the Saturday, March 22, disaster and spoke with NBC and the Associated Press (AP), among others.
BARGE COLLISION LEADS TO OIL SPILL BETWEEN GALVESTON ISLAND AND THE BOLIVAR PENINSULA IN TEXAS
The Houston Ship Channel links refineries with the Gulf of Mexico. It was temporarily closed to ship traffic amid efforts to contain the spill, which occurred on Saturday, March 22.
I.I.I. RELEASED ITS UPDATED WHITE PAPER THIS WEEK ON TERRORISM RISK: A CONSTANT THREAT
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig, one of the co-authors of the paper, taped a video to discuss the paper’s findings. It was also the subject of a Monday, March 24, I.I.I. news release.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTS MODERATE FLOOD POTENTIAL THIS SPRING IN MULTIPLE MIDWESTERN STATES
Moderate flooding is predicted for portions of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, southern Michigan and southern Wisconsin, according to NOAA’s Thursday, March 20, Spring Outlook.
THE U.S. TORNADO COUNT FOR MARCH 2014 IS AMONG THE LOWEST ON RECORD, DATING BACK TO 1950
Through Sunday, March 23, only four tornadoes have been confirmed across the nation, The Weather Channel reports. The U.S. usually sees 96 tornadoes, on average, every March.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore was interviewed by the BBC.com’s Alina Dizik on the insurance repercussions of renting out an apartment on a short-term basis.
The I.I.I.’s Salvatore also briefed Consumer Reports Money Advisor’s Catherine Fredman on how to insure an heirloom through either an endorsement or a floater.
The I.I.I.’s Mike Barry spoke with The Morning Call’s Phil Muschick for a column he’s writing on a homeowners insurance dispute with the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters spoke with Bankrate.com’s Crissinda Ponder about insurance and the Washington State mudslide. In addition, the I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart spoke to the same reporter about disability insurance, and why younger workers should purchase this coverage.
The I.I.I.’s Worters provided information to Eamon Murphy, an associate editor at TheStreet.com, for a story on how some insurers are limiting coverage on homes with older roofs.
CAPITOL HILL
The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (House Resolution 3370) was signed into law by the president on Friday, March 21.
The Washington Monument is reopening for public tours on Monday, May 12. It has been closed for repairs since August 2011’s Virginia earthquake damaged the landmark.
STATES
California
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones made his initial recommendations on coverage for ride-sharing companies (e.g., Lyft, Sidecar) in a Tuesday, March 25, news release.
Local governments will no longer have to remove trees near levees in order to receive federal disaster assistance money, The Sacramento Bee reported, on Monday, March 24.
Florida
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian taped on Wednesday, March 26, a Tampa Fox affiliate interview regarding insurance after that same day’s Palm Harbor storage facility fire.
A law firm retained by Citizens to administer its sinkhole lawsuits is settling fewer cases while charging higher fees, according to this Tuesday, March 25, Palm Beach Post article.
Illinois
Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) announced on Tuesday, March 25, that he wants ride-sharing company drivers to purchase a commercial insurance policy and have a chauffeur’s license.
Louisiana
The enactment of the 2014 flood bill was praised by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and her rival, U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge), the Times-Picayune reported, on Monday, March 24.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has issued $40 refund checks to 233,868 policyholders, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced, in a Monday, March 24, news release.
Massachusetts
Workers compensation rates will remain at their current levels effective Tuesday, April 1, rather than increasing 7.7 percent, the Division of Insurance announced, on Thursday, March 20.
Michigan
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association said the per insured vehicle assessment it charges auto insurers ($186) will remain unchanged between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015.
Mississippi
Governor Phil Bryant signed into law House Bill 756, requiring the establishment of uniform hurricane deductible policy language, according to this Saturday, March 22, AP article.
New York
Rising Waters, an exhibit featuring images from superstorm Sandy-related, has been extended through Sunday, April 20, at the Museum of the City of New York.
Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded 14 earthquakes between Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, the largest a 4.0-magnitude near Langston, the Associated Press reported.
Tennessee
The state’s Fire Marshal issued a news release on Friday, March 21, calling for greater awareness about the fire hazards associated with the presence of portable, medical oxygen.
Texas
A 396-unit apartment complex which was under construction near downtown Houston was destroyed by fire on Tuesday, March 25, according to this next-day Associated Press story.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
The Oso, Washington, landslide continues to make headlines in both social and traditional media. Besides receiving news updates, some social media users have been asking questions about whether insurance coverage is available for landslides, and if this type of event is ever covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.
The Galveston, Texas oil spill, like the Washington landslide, occurred on Saturday, March 22. The main concern social media commentators have is the adverse impact this spill could have on wildlife living along the Texas Gulf coastline. Others wondered if a travel insurance policy would cover a cruise cancelled due to an oil spill.
The 2014 federal flood insurance reform bill was signed into law on Friday, March 21. The main topic of concern in social media was how the measure affects each state. Critics of the bill, according to an Insurance Journal article, say taxpayers will end up paying more when the next disaster strikes, as opposed to homeowners who choose to live in flood-prone areas.
The I.I.I.’s updated white paper, Terrorism Risk: A Constant Threat, is available for download from the I.I.I.’s website. The I.I.I.’s Hartwig taped a video to introduce the paper. It can be seen on YouTube as well as the I.I.I.’s website.
The I.I.I. "Women in Insurance" Pinterest board was created to mark March 2014’s Women’s History Month.
MEDIA MATTERS
Maria Bartiromo’s new Fox News Channel program, Sunday Morning Futures, premiered on Sunday, March 30, at 10 a.m., ET.
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.
