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 11, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
HBO’s LAST WEEK TONIGHT READYING CRITICAL LOOK AT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ADVISORS
The segment is expected to focus on the need for the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule and criticize annuities sales practices. It could air as soon as Sunday, May 8, at 11 p.m., ET.
PBS FRONTLINE PROGRAM ON FLOOD INSURANCE AND SANDY CLAIMS-HANDLING TO PREMIERE ON TUESDAY, MAY 24
The Business of Disaster will touch in part on how FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program compensates its Write Your Own (WYO) companies.
I.I.I. MARKS NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK WITH INFORMATION ON COMMERCIAL INSURANCE COVERAGE
The I.I.I. issued a news release on what startup business owners need to know about insurance, and posted an infographic on business interruption coverage.
THE WEATHER COMPANY RELEASED ITS 2016 ATLANTIC HURRICANE FORECAST
The 2016 season is expected to be the most active since 2012, according to a forecast by The Weather Company, an IBM Business.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The Financial Times plans to publish an op-ed this month written by I.I.I. president Bob Hartwig. It is based on the I.I.I.’s white paper on Cuba’s emerging insurance market.
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz spoke with Chico’s NBC affiliate about property insurance trends in northern California’s wildfire-prone communities.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry briefed Phoenix, Arizona, TV producer Warren Trent (KTVK) on the issue of after-market auto parts.
CAPITOL HILL
U.S. Rep. Thomas MacArthur (R-New Jersey) called for an independent investigation into FEMA’s oversight of Sandy flood claims at a D.C. press conference.
The U.S. House approved legislation giving flood insurance policies sold by private carriers parity with those issued by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Takata is preparing to recall another 35 million rupture-prone air-bag inflators.
STATES
Arkansas
Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr was interviewed for this Little Rock NBC affiliate story on the 43 percent increase in the city’s arson rate between 2014 and 2015.
California
The I.I.I.’s Hartwig and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are headlining a Monday, May 9, insurance forum at California State University, Fullerton.
Sagent, a Sacramento-based marketing and communications firm, will brief I.I.I. member companies on a Thursday, May 12, 2 p.m., PT, conference call about CalFire’s wildfire preparedness program.
A Long Beach trucking company’s operators were arrested on workers compensation insurance fraud charges after allegedly underreporting their payroll by more than $4.7 million.
Florida
David Altmaier has been appointed the state’s next Insurance Commissioner.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation believes that water loss claims, coupled with assignment of benefits (AOB) abuses, will mean higher insurance rates for every Florida policyholder.
Georgia
Snapchat is being sued for negligence after a September 2015 Lovejoy (Clayton County) auto accident was allegedly caused in part by a motorist who used Snapchat while driving.
Indiana
FEMA’s dispute with Indianapolis (Marion County) over an update to the city’s flood protection ordinances could affect NFIP policy renewals for about 7,000 homeowners.
Mississippi
Harrison County incurred substantial flood damage after 12 inches of rain fell over a period of five hours on Thursday, April 28. Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes declared a state of emergency.
New Jersey
The Asbury Park Press editorial board backed Rep. MacArthur’s call for an independent inquiry into FEMA’s handling of Sandy flood claims.
New York
Three people died May 3 after the private plane in which they were flying crashed about 30 miles east of New York City.
The January 22–23, 2016, blizzard set a record for a single snowfall in New York City (27.5 inches), according to the National Weather Service.
Oklahoma
A recent decision by the state’s Supreme Court could cause a jump in workers compensation rates, Insurance Commissioner John Doak warned on Friday, April 29.
Texas
To avoid buying a flooded vehicle at either an auto auction or a used-car lot, consumers need to check the title and the car itself for signs of water damage, the Department of Insurance stated.
Midland’s NBC affiliate pointed to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) database as a way consumers can protect themselves from “flood duds.”
Virginia
The Consumer Federation of America issued a news release today (May 4) hailing the Virginia Insurance Department’s bulletin on price optimization.
MEDIA MATTERS
Thomson Reuters’ expansion of its Carrollton, Texas, office is projected to create at least 250 new jobs, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Former CNN New Day anchor Michaela Pereira’s new Los Angeles-based HLN program will debut in June, and air on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., ET.
Fox Business Network touted its substantial ratings gains between April 2015 and April 2016.
The number of Denver Post newsroom employees will have dropped over the past year by almost 40 percent (to 104 from 165) if the newspaper’s latest buyout offer goes as planned.
The Tampa Tribune is closing following its purchase by The Tampa Bay Times, the Tribune’s longtime rival.
Josh King, formerly of The Hartford and Willis, promoted his just-published book last night (May 3) on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
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
