Topics Related to NCDOI

Combine the recent cold snap across North Carolina with that of fires that stem from holiday cooking and you have an increased potential for home fires, warns Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey.

“The holidays are a dangerous time of the year for fires because of the use of space heaters as well as the increase in cooking and baking,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why it is important for family members to know the dangers space heaters present and to be careful while using the oven and stove, especially with children roaming around the house.”

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has set up five flood insurance conferences statewide to inform the public, insurance and real estate agents of the need to purchase flood insurance, regardless of where you live.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November and typically during this period, at least one major storm forms and impacts our state. Last year, the flooding from Hurricane Florence devastated thousands of residents who didn’t have flood insurance because they relied on their homeowners’ policy that does not cover damage from rising water.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Wendolyn Diane Yarborough, 56, of 914 Spellman Drive, Fayetteville. Yarborough faces a felony charge of obtaining property by false pretense.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Yarborough of filing a fraudulent beneficiary administrative form to obtain an insurance claim that she was not entitled to receive.

According to the arrest warrant, Yarborough received $50,074.63 from Primerica Life Insurance Co. because of the claim.

With the 2019 hurricane season upon us, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is encouraging residents to be prepared this season to avoid the suffering that followed last year’s Hurricane Florence on the coast and mudflows in the western part of the state. To do this, Commissioner Causey is scheduling disaster relief town hall meetings across the state to inform residents, agents and real estate agents.

The hearing scheduled for the insurance industry's proposed statewide average 17.4% homeowners' insurance rate increase has been extended one month from Sept. 4, 2019, to Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says he needs the additional time to review the documents filed by the North Carolina Rate Bureau or NCRB.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Eric T. Marshall, 26, and Michelle Jeanette Peppers, 27, both of 6214 Patric Alan Court, Charlotte, were charged with felony insurance fraud.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse the two of providing false information to Geico to support a lost wages claim.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Shalonda Louise Bennett, 43, of 303 Front St., Hamilton. Bennett was charged with felony insurance fraud.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigation Division accuse Bennett of telling National General Insurance Co. that her vehicle was stolen and wrecked, knowing that the vehicle was not stolen.

The offense occurred between Dec. 20-21, 2018. Bennett was arrested on June 26 and given a $5,000 secured bond.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Wendolyn Diane Yarborough, 56, of 914 Spellman Drive, Fayetteville. Yarborough faces a felony charge of obtaining property by false pretense.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Harrold of telling United Services Automobile Association (USAA) that his vehicle was damaged during Hurricane Florence, when the damages occurred before the storm.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Wendi Barton Willoughby, 58, of 1617 Village Lane, Kill Devil Hills. Willoughby was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Willoughby of filing 120 claims with Aflac for husband and dependents for doctors' visits that never occurred.

According to the arrest warrant, Willoughby received $6,695 from filing the fraudulent claims.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Dominique Nicole Smith, 24, of 2916 Ten Ten Road, Apex. Smith was charged with felony insurance fraud.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Smith of purchasing insurance for her 2015 Kia Sportage after having an accident on April 17, but reporting to her insurance company, Geico Indemnity Co., that she purchased the insurance a day before the wreck occurred.

The offense occurred between April 17 and June 14.