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, November 12, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION REPORT CALLS FOR CHANGING LAWS THAT ENCOURAGE RISKY LAND-USE DEVELOPMENT
Two years after superstorm Sandy, the U.S. remains unprepared for extreme weather, according to a Wall Street Journal op-ed on a new report, Natural Defense from Hurricanes and Floods.
INSURANCEQUOTES.COM STUDY SAYS FILING ONE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CLAIM COULD RESULT IN A 9 PERCENT PREMIUM RATE HIKE
USA Today posted on its website a story filed by The Cheat Sheet. Wyoming, Connecticut and Arizona policyholders, in that order, were seen as the “worst states” in this regard.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore is working with Dan Tynan of Yahoo! Tech (driverless cars) and Chris Jensen of The New York Times on the cost of insuring Ford’s latest F-150.
The I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig spoke with Ben Miller of Work Comp Central about TRIA’s renewal and will discuss cyber coverage next week with Entrepreneur magazine.
The I.I.I.’s Steven Weisbart gave an interview to Reuters’ Al Scott about the possibility that life insurers may be reluctant to write policies for Virgin Galactic customers.
The I.I.I.’s Loretta Worters discussed with Crissinda Ponder of Bankrate.com the Lyft passenger who was killed recently and what this might mean for Lyft’s insurance coverages.
CAPITOL HILL
Ruling in favor of two insurance trade groups, a federal judge set aside a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule that could have hurt U.S. home insurers.
STATES
Alabama
Four of the state’s counties—Calhoun, Cherokee, Lawrence and Walker—made The Weather Channel’s list of Top 50 worst places to own a home in the United States.
California
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones was re-elected.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a fatal Virginia Galactic test flight crash, which occurred on Friday, October 31, in the Mojave desert.
Proposition 46 was defeated on Election Day. Had it passed, the measure would have increased the amount of monies potentially disbursed for noneconomic damages after a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Florida
Governor Rick Scott was re-elected, as were the other incumbent members of the state’s Cabinet.
Five people were arrested last week in connection with an alleged personal injury protection (PIP) fraud scheme in the Miami area, the state’s Chief Financial Officer announced.
The state’s top 25 auto insurers must submit to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) data enabling the OIR to evaluate the impact of HB 119, the state’s 2012 PIP reform law.
Georgia
Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens was re-elected.
Hawaii
The president declared a major disaster exists on the Big Island. Hawaii County’s lava flow and insurance were the subjects of an I.I.I. news release last week.
Kansas
Ken Selzer, a Republican, was elected Insurance Commissioner. Selzer will succeed Commissioner Sandra Praeger, who is retiring.
Louisiana
The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East’s wetlands-related lawsuit against oil, gas and pipeline companies can proceed because it is not a state agency, a judge ruled.
Maine
The state’s deadliest blaze in decades killed six people in a Portland house fire. The cause remains under investigation.
Tens of thousands lost power after a severe snowstorm that struck the state on Sunday, November 2.
Missouri
Twenty counties in the northeastern part of the state will receive federal disaster funding to recover from the storms that swept through the region on September 9-10.
Texas
A public hearing is being held on Wednesday, November 12, in Austin, to discuss the work being undertaken by a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) panel.
MEDIA MATTERS
The Atlanta-based Weather Channel is laying off as many as 40 of its employees this week.
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.
