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 13, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I.’s PRESIDENT DISCUSSED THE INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS OF RIOTS DURING MAY 7 MARYLAND I-DAY PRESENTATION
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig, in a previously scheduled talk in Baltimore, discussed the recent riots early in his presentation (see slides 2-4). The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry addressed the topic with The Baltimore Sun and Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. did the same with the Associated Press.
I.I.I. TO PARTICIPATE IN THURSDAY, MAY 14, WASHINGTON, D.C., PRESS CONFERENCE IN ADVANCE OF NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK (MAY 17-23, 2015)
The latest insured losses resulting from dog bite liability cases will be announced as part of the proceedings, to be held at the National Press Club.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Hartwig spoke with Long Island Newsday reporter Joe Ryan about how the Sandy flood claim litigation may impact the Write Your Own (WYO) program. Ryan’s story is scheduled to run on Sunday, May 10.
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore gave a live interview to The Weather Channel (TWC) on Thursday, May 7, at 6:22 a.m., ET. The topic: Spring Clearing for Your Insurance Policies. She will also be appearing on TWC during its hurricane preparedness coverage in a few weeks.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters is working with Boston Globe magazine reporter Hilary Levey Friedman (how not-for-profits cover themselves against employee theft) and Bankrate.com’s Crissinda Ponder (how drivers ZIP codes impact their auto insurance rates).
The I.I.I.’s Barry discussed with Insurance Journal’s Don Jergler Google Compare’s newest feature, which links web visitors to insurance agents.
STATES
Alabama
Responding to a controversial 2013 state Supreme Court decision, the state Senate passed a law that stipulates a manufacturer is not responsible for any injuries caused by a product it did not design, manufacture, sell or lease.
California
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz taped an interview with San Francisco ABC affiliate reporter Michael Finney for a story on whether the color of a car impacts the cost of insuring the vehicle. It is scheduled to air on Friday evening, May 8.
A 4.0 magnitude quake rattled San Francisco Bay area residents on Sunday afternoon, May 3. The epicenter was about one mile south of Concord, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Earlier that day, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake was felt throughout the LA area.
The I.I.I.’s Ruiz has been working with Oakland Fox affiliate TV reporter Tom Vacar, who is following up on reports that ISO is re-evaluating its assessment of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
Delaware
Do Your Homework Before Using Home-Share Rental Services, the state’s Insurance Department said, in a news release issued late last week.
Florida
The I.I.I.’s Lynne McChristian will be attending, and making a presentation at, the annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Orlando (May 10-15). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will also be there.
The I.I.I.’s McChristian stressed the importance of having flood insurance in a West Palm Beach NBC affiliate story about having the right type and amount of property coverage.
This same station interviewed McChristian about why Florida’s auto insurers occasionally pay out claims before a police report is filed, and how the industry monitors potentially fraudulent claims. The segment aired on Monday, May 4.
Kentucky
The president declared a federal disaster in the portions of the state affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding during the period of April 2-17, 2015.
Louisiana
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ poor construction and maintenance of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet led to post-Katrina flooding in St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward, Judge Susan Braden of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., ruled last Friday.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) questioned why New Orleans’ 9th Ward was rebuilt during a debate over President Obama’s executive order, which calls for factoring future sea-level rises into the building of new federal structures, or federally financed projects.
FEMA’s Roy Wright defended that same presidential executive order in light of the flood risk posed by climate change. His comments came last Friday at a University of New Orleans forum attended by both of the state’s U.S. Senators.
Massachusetts
The I.I.I.’s Hartwig was quoted in a Boston Globe story on the volume and estimated dollar-amount ($2.3 billion) of U.S. insured 2014-2015 winter storm claims.
Minnesota
The state Senate’s Commerce committee voted, 8-3, on Thursday, April 30, to recommend Mike Rothman, Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, for a second term.
Mississippi
The 3.0 and 3.2 magnitude quakes near Canton (Madison County) last weekend prompted this article in The Clarion Ledger. The I.I.I. asked the reporter to correct an assertion made in the story’s final paragraph. “Fire following” an earthquake is covered.
New York
State Senate Majority Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) and his son, Adam, were arrested this week on federal corruption charges.
North Carolina
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin opposes House Bill 927, arguing it would add a new 6.5 percent tax to the annual price of an automobile insurance policy, the Raleigh News-Observer reported.
Governor Mary Fallin has appointed Mark Liotta, chief deputy of the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners, as Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. He will succeed Denise Engle, who is resigning effective Wednesday, May 27.
Texas
Auto insurers will pay out an estimated $65 million for damages incurred by thousands of cars after a series of hail storms in north Texas over the weekend of April 25-26, the Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) estimated.
West Virginia
Concerns about the structural integrity of the man-made slope at Yaeger Airport date back to 2010. It collapsed in March 2015, triggering a landslide that destroyed a church and two homes, while damaging 10 other nearby structures.
MEDIA MATTERS
Since the call, Al Jazeera America named a new CEO, ousting the one who was at the center of a front-page New York Times print edition article on Wednesday, May 6.
Network affiliate TV station news program viewership increased slightly in the morning (+2 percent) and early evening (+3 percent) in 2014 as compared to 2013. The same Pew Research Center report found late night news show viewership dropped, year-over-year, by 1 percent.
Paul Bomberger, formerly of Business Insurance, has been appointed assistant business editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer (pbomberger@phillynews.com; phone: 215-854-5108).
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
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