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, October 5, please email Loretta Worters at lorettaw@iii.org.
I.I.I., FEMA CONDUCT NATIONAL SATELLITE MEDIA TOUR ON ‘KNOWING YOUR FLOOD RISK’
The I.I.I.’s Jeanne Salvatore and former National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) chief David Maurstad conducted multiple live TV interviews on the topic from D.C.’s National Press Club on Thursday, September 29.
I.I.I. RELEASES NEW INFOGRAPHIC ON FACTORS INSURERS USE WHEN PRICING AN AUTO POLICY
The I.I.I.’s infographic generated widespread interest online (see SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT).
I.I.I. RESPONDS TO CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA’S (CFA) STUDY ON AUTO INSURANCE PRICING
The I.I.I.’s James Lynch offered the industry’s response to the CFA study this week in interviews with The New York Times, CBS Money Watch and Florida’s Palm Beach Post.
STORIES IN THE WORKS
The I.I.I.’s Janet Ruiz spoke with CNBC.com’s Jeff Daniels about a company that is offering legal representation to gun owners who are sued.
The I.I.I.’s Michael Barry provided information to Cleveland ABC affiliate reporter Sarah Buduson on the percentage of uninsured motorists in Ohio.
The I.I.I.’s Barry also worked on stories with Insurance.com’s Michelle Megna (no-fault auto insurance) and Connecticut Day’s Claire Bessett (ISO fire ratings and homeowners insurance).
CAPITOL HILL
Millions of dollars in federal Louisiana flood relief monies will be allocated now that Congressional leaders have reached an accord on a stopgap budget to keep the federal government running through December 2016.
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) introduced legislation to “require the National Flood Insurance Program to provide a predictable and timely response for flood insurance policyholders after they file a claim.”
STATES
California
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) sold about 29,000 new policies in the first eight months of 2016, nearly twice the number it sold in all of calendar year 2015. The CEA’s policy count stands at around 908,000.
A cluster of earthquakes jolted Imperial County, near the state’s border with Mexico, earlier this week. At least two of the temblors reached a 4.3-magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The annual Great Shakeout is being held this year on Thursday, October 20.
The Loma Fire (Santa Clara County) has burned more than 2,250 acres and prompted the evacuations of hundreds of residents near Morgan Hill.
The Sawmill Fire (Sonoma County) burned 1,500 acres around 10 miles east of Cloverdale.
A separate fire in Petaluma (Sonoma County) yesterday (Tuesday), while not designated a wildfire, destroyed four homes and damaged another 10.
Florida
The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) approved a 14.5 percent increase in workers compensation insurance rates, effective December 1, pending action by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. reports that, of the 837 Hermine-related insurance claims it has received, third-party public adjusters filed seven of them, and five involved assignment of benefits (AOB) agreements.
Georgia
Clayton, Hall, and Lumpkin County are imposing accident response fees and sending the bills to motorists and insurers, Atlanta’s Fox affiliate reports. Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is saying not to pay them.
Iowa
Concerns about flooding of the Cedar, Iowa, and Mississippi rivers have subsided, with a number of evacuated Cedar Rapids residents returning home over the last couple of days.
Louisiana
The state’s August 2016 flooding has to date generated about 29,000 NFIP claims, FEMA reports, making it the fourth biggest flood event in the NFIP’s history after Katrina, Sandy and Ike, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate.
FEMA inspectors found about 45 percent of the 2,000-plus residential and commercial buildings FEMA evaluated in Denham Springs sustained substantial flood damage.
Nearly 4,000 St. Charles Parish homeowners may be eligible for a dramatic reduction in their flood insurance rates effective Saturday, October 1, the Associated Press reports.
New Jersey
A Manahawkin (Ocean County) contractor and his home improvement company allegedly bilked $280,750 in Sandy relief funds from six Jersey Shore homeowners, according to the state’s attorney general.
The owner of a Toms River (Ocean County) hotel pled guilty to stealing more than $80,000 from FEMA by fraudulently claiming to provide temporary shelter to Superstorm Sandy victims.
New York
The I.I.I.’s Elianne González gave an on-air interview to Univision 41 about the insurance implications of a Bronx explosion that killed a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) battalion chief on Tuesday, September 27.
The Cuomo administration announced the state would pay for the uninsured losses incurred after the Saturday, September 17, explosion in New York City.
Three people died after two private planes collided in mid-air near Hamburg Airport (Erie County) on Sunday morning, September 25.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to use $500 million in city taxpayer monies to fund Superstorm Sandy-related initiatives, which were expected to be fully paid by the federal government.
Oklahoma
A University of Oklahoma professor believes the state’s current building codes are able to protect property from quake-caused damage but said builders can still take extra steps to enhance safety.
Wisconsin
Elizabeth Hizmi is the state Insurance Department’s new Legislative Liaison and Public Information Officer.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
I.I.I.’s Infographic Gets More Traction Than CFA’s Auto Pricing Study
The CFA’s study on the way auto insurers rate upper- and moderate-income drivers is getting minimal attention on social. Meanwhile, the I.I.I. released an infographic this week on the factors that determine the cost of auto insurance and shared it via its social networks. As of today (September 28) the infographic has received more than 1,500 views on Twitter and strong social engagement from both consumers and insurance industry groups.
NYiDAY
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York (IIABNY) is hosting NYiDAY 2016 on Friday October 14, in New York City. Register at the NYiDAY website or track the event by using the hashtag at #NYiDAY or by following @IIABNY on Twitter.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Use the hashtag #CyberAware to track the conversation on social. The I.I.I. will be promoting its cyber white paper via its social channels in the coming weeks.
MEDIA MATTERS
Deepwater Horizon is premiering nationwide on Friday, September 30. The film is based on the fatal explosion that occurred off of Louisiana’s coastline in April 2010.
NBC News senior executive producer Richard Esposito is leaving the network. He has led the network’s investigative unit for the past three years.
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
