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, May 18, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
CBS’s 60 MINUTES EXAMINES THE CAUSES OF OKLAHOMA’S FREQUENT EARTHQUAKES
Oklahoma is now the most earthquake-prone state in the continental U.S., having experienced 907 earthquakes in 2015. Nearly all of the quakes were triggered by oil and gas production, 60 Minutes reported on its Sunday, May 8, broadcast.
NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK IS MAY 15–21, 2016
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters attended a Texas press conference today (May 11) where the I.I.I. issued a release noting that dog bites accounted for more than one-third of 2015’s U.S. homeowners liability claim payouts.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The Financial Times is publishing on Monday, May 16, an op-ed written by the I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig: ‘Cuba needs a culture change if it is to build an insurance market.’
Univision’s Hoy wants to tape an interview with a Spanish-speaking couple in their 50s from the Miami/South Florida area no later than Wednesday, May 25, for an upcoming segment. The couple should be prepared to discuss how they have NOT as yet successfully planned for retirement due to their other financial commitments. Hoy’s viewers will be told to start saving for retirement at a very early age. If you know a couple who fits these criteria, and would be willing to share their personal story with Hoy, email the I.I.I.’s Hispanic Press Officer, Elianne González, at elianneg@iii.org.
The I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart spoke about unclaimed life insurance policies with Nerd Wallet’s Barbara Marquand. The piece will first appear on the USA Today website.
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch was interviewed about the potential international insurance implications of Canada’s wildfires by Bermuda Royal Gazette reporter Scott Neil.
STATES
Arkansas
The president declared a major disaster in the state, allowing for federal assistance to 12 counties impacted by severe weather between March 8–13, 2016.
California
Insurance Journal covered the Cal State Fullerton forum on Monday, May 9, which featured the I.I.I.’s Hartwig and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The I.I.I. was a key source for a Money Geek article on auto insurance and the high cost of distracted driving.
The Los Angeles Times posted three stories during the May 4–6 National Earthquake Conference in Long Beach:
www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-andreas-fault-earthquake-20160504-story.html
www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-the-big-one-earthquake-video-20160504-story.html
www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-francisco-sea-wall-20160505-story.html
Colorado
Hail hit downtown Denver and parts of Douglas County yesterday (May 10).
Florida
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian was interviewed by Tampa Bay’s CBS affiliate about the issue of driverless cars and liability insurance.
Miami’s NBC affiliate broadcast a story on Monday, May 9, about the use of occupation and education as rating criteria in the private-passenger auto insurance market. The I.I.I.’s McChristian was quoted in the station’s online news article.
Kentucky
A major tornado touched down yesterday (May 10) in Mayfield (Graves County), injuring 10 people and causing property damage. A separate tornado struck Benton (Marshall County).
Louisiana
The insolvencies of Affirmative Insurance and Affirmative Casualty Insurance mean nearly 11,000 drivers statewide must find a new auto insurer.
Mississippi
Richard Scruggs, a since-disbarred attorney who sued insurers for their Katrina claims-handling practices, has started a statewide literacy program called Second Chance Mississippi.
North Carolina
Drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) see their auto insurance premiums increase by a multiplier of 4.09, the highest hike in the nation, Value Penguin found.
Oklahoma
Two people died on Monday, May 9, after tornadoes swept through Garvin (EF-3) and Johnston (EF-1) counties.
Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 15 counties due to the state’s recent tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding.
The governor also signed into law a bill that eliminates the maximum 75 mile per hour speed limit for the interstate highway system’s turnpikes and rural roadways.
Texas
Uber and Lyft left Austin after the city’s voters affirmed Austin’s insistence on fingerprinting prospective transportation network company (TNC) drivers as part of a background check.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
National Dog Bite Prevention Week
Updates from the I.I.I.’s Worters on the kick-off press conference for National Dog Bite Prevention Week are on Twitter at @LWorters. She will also be recording the event for the I.I.I.’s Snapchat channel, IIIorg. Follow the hashtag #preventdogbites on social to track the conversation and to share dog bite prevention resources and information.
Hurricane Preparedness Week
Hurricane Preparedness Week will take place from Sunday, May 15, to Saturday, May 21. You can follow the conversation on social by using the hashtag #ItOnlyTakesOne and #HurricaneStrong.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is launching a Gulf Coast Hurricane Tour on Monday, May 16, in San Antonio, Texas. Further details on the other cities they will be visiting next week can be found on NOAA’s website. NOAA also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.
Uber and Lyft Cease Operations in Texas’ Capital City
Follow the conversation about Austin’s Proposition 1 on Saturday, May 7, using the hashtag #UberAustin, #Prop1, and #Prop1ATX.
MEDIA MATTERS
Dr. Lucy Jones, who retired recently as one of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) best-known earthquake experts, was a guest this week on Conan O’Brien’s TBS program.
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
