Dog Bite Prevention Coalition: Tips for Sheltering at Home with Pets
Most Americans are under stay-a-home orders at this stage of the coronavirus pandemic, and stress is running high for myriad reasons.
The pandemic has affected pets too. “Dogs that are used to kids being at school and adults at work are now finding themselves surrounded by their families 24/7,” according to Victoria Stilwell, CEO of Positively.com and the Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training and Behavior. “Most welcome the company, but some dogs are having a hard time adjusting to the constant noise, attention and lack of space,” said Stilwell.
In some cases, dogs will exhibit anxious, aggressive, or destructive behaviors.
The National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition offers the following tips to help you and your pets cope while sheltering at home:
- Create a den-like space or “safe zone” in your home that is a “dog only” zone. This can be a crate where the door always remains open or a quiet location your dog can go to when it needs some space.
- Small children should be supervised around any dog. To make it easier, you can use baby gates to keep dogs and kids separated if you can’t actively supervise them.
- This is the time to teach your dog some new skills. Challenge your dog to learn new cues. If you need the help of a trainer, many now offer virtual consultations.
- If you can take your dog out for a walk, make sure you keep it on leash. Do not allow your pet to socially interact with other dogs or people. While humans are observing social distancing rules, they should help their dogs do the same.
- Having a plan in place for your pets is important. Individuals who become too sick or require hospitalization will need to have someone to take care of their animals while they heal. Just like any disaster preparedness plan, have a “bug out” bag ready.
Members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition will share information during several webinars this week focused on how COVID-19 is impacting pets and pet owners. Experts will provide safety tips for sheltering at home with dogs, how to support animal shelters and rescues, and release 2019 dog-related injury claims data.
The Next webinar will take place on Friday, April 17 at 1:00 PM CST/2:00 PM EST
Zoom webinar for the general public (Registration Required):
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9cO7OQTVQXSdZb2UXs9ufQ
In a previously recorded webinar, Janet Ruiz, Strategic Communications Director, Triple-I, explained that when it comes to dog bite claims, it’s important to note that these are just incidents that were reported to insurance companies and that the actual number of dog bites is likely to be much higher. In 2019 homeowners insurers paid about $796.8 million as a result of 17,802 dog bite claims.
National Dog Bite Prevention Week (NDBPW) is April 12-18, 2020. Members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), State Farm®, Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), American Humane, and the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior. The coalition joins forces each year to draw attention to how people can reduce the number of dog bites.
CORONAVIRUS WRAP-UP: PROPERTY AND CASUALTY (4/15/2020)
Litigation during the coronavirus pandemic
By Brent Carris, Research Analyst, Triple-I
The coronavirus crisis is taking a toll on the U.S. legal system as courts are restricting access and altering procedures. Dentons, a global law firm, addressed the impact of COVID-19 on ongoing cases in a recent webinar led by Michael Duvall, Partner; David Quam, Counsel; and Kelly Graf, Managing Associate.
Litigators have ongoing responsibilities to their clients to keep up with key deadlines, during the “slowdown.” These responsibilities include keeping them informed of scheduling, continuing to meet filing deadlines, and advocating for the clients’ interests. Judges have significant discretion to keep their cases moving along.
The webinar covered some of the litigation risk facing businesses with “enterprising” plaintiff’s lawyers actively looking for clients. The risks include data breaches arising from remote workers using unsecured home computers to access confidential data; safety and compliance issues related to remote work; exposure to the virus by employees who are not working remotely; event cancellation; claims of false or misleading advertising against companies capitalizing on demand for products like hand sanitizer; and price gouging.
Dentons has put together a 50-state tracker that it’s maintaining of coronavirus-related orders, directives, financial assistance, health and business directives, and updates on court and legislative sessions.
CORONAVIRUS WRAP-UP: PROPERTY AND CASUALTY (4/14/2020)
CORONAVIRUS WRAP-UP: PROPERTY AND CASUALTY (4/13/2020)
Triple-I: U.S. Auto Insurers to Return $10.5 Billion to Customers
U.S. auto insurers will return more than $10 billion to their customers nationwide, according to an estimate released on April 11 by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
“Insurers are again fulfilling their role as economic first responders by providing financial relief to customers when they need it most,” said Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Triple-I. “If the rest of the nation’s private-passenger auto insurers are as generous as the companies the Triple-I knows about, we project insurers will be giving customer refunds, discounts, dividends, and credits totaling $10.5 billion.”
The Triple-I’s $10.5 billion estimate is based on its analysis of 14 U.S. auto insurers who announced this week premium refunds, discounts, dividends, and credits totaling $8.1 billion. These insurers cited reduced policyholder mileage and the receipt of fewer claims amid the COVID-19 crisis as the reasons they were able to make these decisions.
Given there are hundreds of companies that sell private-passenger auto insurance in the U.S., the Triple-I looked at the industry’s cumulative market share and estimated an additional $2.4 billion in refunds, discounts, dividends and credits were forthcoming. The Triple-I has updated its Fact Sheet, Insurers Offer Forward-Looking Solutions For COVID-19 Recovery, to reflect the latest steps taken by the nation’s auto insurers.
“These are challenging financial times for millions of Americans, and the country’s auto insurers are making it easier for their customers to get through this extraordinary time in U.S. history,” Kevelighan stated.
The Triple-I estimates the typical U.S. auto insurance customer spent $1,113 in 2019 to cover a single private-passenger vehicle.
Insurers Respond to COVID-19 Wrap-Up (4/10/2020)
Auto insurance refunds
Auto insurers are giving refunds to their customers as people are driving less due to coronavirus shut-downs. No action is required by customers to receive credit in most cases, but Sean Kevelighan, Triple-I CEO, urged customer to reach out to their insurers. “We always recommend the customer contact the insurer and explain their individual situations. Insurers are always happy to look at individual situations and work with the customer,” he said in a Weather Channel interview.
Here are the refunds some of the major auto insurers are offering:
Allstate customers will get “Shelter-In Place Paybacks,” adding up to $600 million over the next two months. “This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents,” Tom Wilson, the company’s chair, president and chief executive officer said in a statement.
American Family will return approximately $200 million to its auto insurance customers.
Farmers auto customers will receive a 25 percent reduction in their April premiums. “We are committed to helping customers during this unprecedented time,” said Jeff Dailey, the company’s CEO. “As we continue receiving updated information in the coming weeks, we’ll assess additional ways to take care of our customers.”
The Hanover Insurance Group will return 15% of April and May auto premiums to its eligible personal lines customers. The company also announced additional customer relief measures and a commitment to contribute $500,000 to nonprofits in local communities to address needs arising from the public health crisis.
The Hartford announced its COVID-19 Personal Auto Payback Plan, which will provide customers with a 15 percent refund on their April and May personal auto insurance premiums. Over the next two months, the company will distribute approximately $50 million to its customers.
Liberty Mutual will return approximately $250 million to customers. Personal auto insurance customers will receive a 15 percent refund on two months of their auto premium.
MetLife Auto & Home customers will receive a 15% credit for April and May based on their monthly premiums. The company is also extending coverage under all personal auto insurance programs at no additional charge while customers are making deliveries in response to the crisis, effective March 20, 2020, through May 1, 2020. Additionally, MetLife Auto & Home is offering identity protection coverage to its customers.
Nationwide is giving a one-time premium refund of $50 per policy for personal auto policies active as of March 31, 2020.
State Farm announced an up to a $2 billion dividend that will go to its auto insurance customers. Customers do not need to take any action to receive this dividend, which will appear as a credit on their auto policy. On average, State Farm Mutual auto customers can expect to receive a credit of about 25 percent of premium for the time period March 20 through May 31; exact percentages will vary by state.
The Travelers Companies is giving U.S. personal auto insurance customers a 15 percent credit on their April and May premiums. Travelers will continue to assess the program as more information comes to light about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the driving environment and auto claims.
USAA is set to return $520 million to its members for driving less during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. The company said in a statement that the payment is a result of data showing members driving less during the “Stay Home, Work Safe” orders across the country.
IICF’s Children’s Relief Fund
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) has launched a national industry-wide fundraising campaign to benefit vulnerable children. Funds raised through the COVID-19 Crisis: IICF Children’s Relief Fund will help support children at risk of food insecurity, educational disruption, family homelessness and other circumstances exacerbated by the crisis. To make a donation and support children in need, please contribute here.
The Allstate Foundation
The Allstate Foundation together with Allstate employees and agency force members, will donate resources across the nation to support communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Foundation is contributing $5 million to accelerate relief and recovery for domestic violence victims, youth in need, first responders and communities at large.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see people finding ways to take care of each other,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate chief marketing, customer and communications officer and trustee of The Allstate Foundation. “For 68 years, The Allstate Foundation has delivered on Allstate’s promise to serve as the Good Hands – especially in a moment of need.”
The Nationwide Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation is making $5 million in contributions to local and national charities to support medical and economic response efforts.
“As communities experience impacts related to the pandemic, many non-profit organizations stand on the front lines, providing basic necessities, wellness services and support to those in need,” said Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman Kirt Walker. “Finances, staffs, programs and resources are being stretched as these non-profits not only serve their communities but feel the impact themselves. During these challenging times, we each have a responsibility, when we can, to lift those around us.”
Coronavirus Wrap-up: Property and Casualty (4/9/2020)
Coronavirus Wrap-up: Property and Casualty (4/8/2020)
An article in Claims Journal: Anticipated Coronavirus Claims Scenarios Across Major Coverage Lines discusses the wide range of insurance lines in which claims could rise, whether as a direct result of the pandemic or of social, institutional, and governmental reactions to it.
The Financial Times reports on two shareholder lawsuits relating to coronavirus that have already been launched in the United States, one against Norwegian Cruise Lines, the other against a pharmaceutical company called Inovio.
And, in a new publication, Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (AGCS), Coronavirus: Safety Measures for Businesses Forced to Temporarily Close Their Premises, AGCS experts provide an overview of general security and prevention measures to help avoid physical damages.
An NBC6 (Miami) report highlights actions that some major insurers are taking to provide relief to their customers who are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. Said Sean Kevelighan, CEO of Triple-I, “In the insurance community, we refer to ourselves often as financial first responders and you’re really starting to see that kick in right now.” Some companies are allowing customers to delay payments without penalties or initiate a personal payment plan. A few are offering relief in the form of paybacks to customers.
Other recent articles related to coronavirus from a property and casualty insurance perspective:
Auto
A New York Daily News article describes the rebates auto Insurers are offering to their customers due to coronavirus-induced driving lull. Liberty Mutual, American Family and Allstate are among the companies offering refunds.
Triple-I’s CEO Sean Kevelighan was quoted in a Los Angeles Times column and appeared in a Miami NBC affiliate segment about economic relief for drivers.
A Winknews report discusses the assistance available to customers during the coronavirus pandemic and includes an anecdote from a policyholder who was told by his insurer that he couldn’t get an extension. Triple-I’s Mark Friedlander says this customer’s experience is not the norm.
Business Interruption
Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan was quoted in Washington Examiner and Santa Rosa, Calif. Press Democrat articles on business interruption coverage.
Artemis published this interview with PCS’s Tom Johansmeyer on silent pandemic risk.
The Financial Times reported on the growing controversy over how much companies can claim from their business interruption insurance policies related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cyberrisk
Cyber Perspectives on Coronavirus – Audio panel on the PLUS Blog
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) announced they are partnering to educate online users about scams surrounding COVID-19, and what consumers need to watch out for when surfing the web, working online, or e-learning from home. NICB and Cybercrime Support Network Partner to Warn the Public About COVID-19 Scams
Additional resources:
- Cybercrime Support Network Scam Alerts
- NICB ID Theft Brochure
- ID Theft Infographic
- FraudSupport.org
- FBI Urges Vigilance During COVID-19 Pandemic
- FTC: Coronavirus Scams
Flood
As local, state and federal agencies scramble to react to the public health needs of COVID-19, cities and towns must also keep one eye on the weather forecast and river levels, according to this Chicago Tribune article.
Workers Compensation
The Minnesota Legislature passed a workers’ compensation bill Tuesday to cover first responders, health care workers and daycare workers. The legislation is effective April 8 and is in place until May 1. Minnesota to Ensure Workers Comp to Responders With COVID-19
Triple-I’s Daily newsletter covered many of the preceding stories this morning. To subscribe to the Triple-I Daily contact daily@iii.org.