To recap the issues raised during today’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 6, please email me at michaelb@iii.org.
I.I.I.’s WEISBART APPEARS ON NEW YORK CITY’S ABC, NBC AFFILIATES ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SUPERSTORM SANDY
The I.I.I.’s Steve Weisbart fielded insurance questions from WABC-TV’s viewers on Tuesday, October 29, and discussed the changes to the federal flood insurance program on WNBC-TV.
CERES REPORT ANALYZES STATE OF FEDERAL FLOOD, CROP INSURANCE PROGRAMS; ARGUES CLIMATE INACTION IS COSTING TAXPAYERS
Ceres released a 31-page report on Monday, October 28, outlining how extreme weather events has prompted the federal government to spend enormous sums in recent years.
J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES FINDS CONSUMERS ARE MORE SATISFIED THIS YEAR THAN LAST WHEN IT COMES TO AUTO CLAIMS HANDLING
Customer satisfaction with auto insurance claims handling is improving, due in large part to insurers’ improvements in managing the first notice of loss process and providing faster payments to claimants, according to a study released on Wednesday, October 30, by J.D. Power.
CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY (CQ) INTERVIEWS THE I.I.I.’s HARTWIG FOR UPCOMING STORY ON TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE ACT (TRIA) PROGRAM
CQ is readying an article on the Congressional debate over extending TRIA beyond year-end 2014, and interviewed the I.I.I.’s Bob Hartwig for the piece.
CAPITOL HILL
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) explained in this Wednesday, October 30, release that personal vehicles are almost twice as likely to be vandalized each year on October 31.
Congress is weighing legislation which would delay, for four years, FEMA’s scheduled National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rate hikes, Reuters reported, on Monday, October 28.
STATES
California
Driverless cars are a hot topic at the TransOvation conference, which is being held this week in San Jose, according to a Monday, October 28, San Diego Union Tribune story.
The Los Angeles Times reported last week that the Los Angeles City Council wants the state to clarify how the city should regulate ride-sharing firms such as Lyft and Sidecar.
For a Monday, October 28, segment San Diego’s ABC affiliate revisited a rebuilt Scripps Ranch neighborhood, 10 years after it was devastated by the Cedar Fire.
The Rim Fire, which began in mid-August and burned 402 square miles, was declared 100 percent contained on Friday, October 25, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Florida
The state’s Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) will issue a report no later than Wednesday, December 18, on whether home insurers are paying less for reinsurance and, if so, whether insurers are passing these savings along to their policyholders, according to a Tuesday, October 29, South Florida Sun-Sentinel article.
Alex Sink, the state’s former chief financial officer (CFO) may seek the U.S. House seat vacated by the death of U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mississippi
The Biloxi Sun Herald’s editorial board contends few policymakers are preparing the public for future natural disasters that could cost more than either Katrina or Sandy.
New Jersey
The state has approved homeowners insurance rate hikes of about 5.5 percent, each year over the past three years, this Tuesday, October 29, Record article reported.
The Department of Banking and Insurance issued a news release on Friday, October 25, warning consumers about post-Sandy insurance fraud scams, and how to detect them.
New Mexico
President Obama approved on Tuesday, October 29, a disaster declaration for 15 counties impacted by severe storms, flooding, and mudslides. They occurred between September 9-22, 2013.
New York
The Department of Financial Services issued to the state’s licensed property insurers on Monday, October 28, a four-page circular letter on emergency disaster protocol.
The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) issued a white paper, summarizing many of the disaster preparedness issues raised at two NYIA-sponsored forums held earlier this fall.
North Carolina
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin counseled policyholders to read their renewal notices carefully for potential rate changes in this Monday, October 28, Charlotte TV interview.
President Obama approved on Tuesday, October 29, a disaster declaration for six counties impacted by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. They occurred on July 27, 2013.
Ohio
The number of traffic fatalities on Ohio’s roadways in 2013 could be lower than it has been in 77 years, The Columbus Dispatch reported, in this Wednesday, October 30, story.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
The one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy was this week and it was a prominent topic on social media. The overall tone of the online conversation was neutral, with insurance companies, agents and news agencies tweeting about ways to prevent a disaster such as Sandy and recommending tips to better protect yourself from such disasters in the future.
The I.I.I.’s #SandyLessons Twitter campaign, which started on Tuesday, October 1, was very well received. The @iiiorg tweets were consistently retweeted by insurance companies, agents and consumers, while many others used the #SandyLessons hashtag to post their own tips and advice.
Also, the Rim Fire in California was contained more than two months after it started—and some, mostly local, news agencies in California provided updates through their social media platforms.
MEDIA MATTERS
Univision has joined forces with ABC to launch Fusion, a new English-language news cable channel aimed at Latinos aged 18 to 35.
PBS’s NewsHour’s audience has dropped to 1.3 million daily viewers in 2013, down from 2.5 million each night in 2005, the Baltimore Sun reported, in this Tuesday, October 29, article.
Thomson Reuters announced it will lay off about 3,000 employees, a number equal to 5 percent of the company’s total workforce.
Jim Roberts is Mashable’s new executive editor and chief content officer.
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