Topics Related to NCDOI

A series of recent rumblings out west have led Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to urge the state’s residents to make sure they are covered from the effects of natural disasters. This can be achieved by checking in with their insurance agent to review their individual policies.

Seven earthquakes have hit the same area of western North Carolina within the past two weeks -- all within a mile of each other. Although western North Carolina is not on a major fault line, earthquakes are not uncommon in the western part of the state.

As the number of fire deaths rises in North Carolina, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey has organized a team of firefighters and volunteers to be out in force this weekend to distribute and install free smoke alarms in neighborhoods across the state.

As today marks the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging residents to prepare now and to arm themselves with important knowledge for if and when a storm makes landfall.  

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, experts have forecast 2023 to be an above-normal season of activity. NOAA has predicted 12 to 17 named storms, with winds blowing at a minimum of 39 mph, with five to nine of them predicted to be hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) saved the state’s seniors $30 million last year.

Many retirees and Medicare beneficiaries on a fixed income want to save money wherever they can. Each year, thousands of people contact SHIIP throughout the state to help them identify savings in their Medicare coverages.

“These savings are valuable to older North Carolinians, many of whom are on a fixed income,” Commissioner Causey said. “Now they can use them to spend as they see fit."

Insurance Commissioner and Safe Kids NC Chairman Mike Causey wants parents and caregivers to know about the importance of water safety to prevent needless child drownings in pools and all bodies of water.

The beaches will be crowded this Memorial Day weekend. Remember to pay attention to the warning flags at the beach that indicate the possibility of rip currents. A rip current’s force is strong enough to pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Danny Leon Simmons II, 34, of 1372 Lees Chapel Road, Greensboro, and Kamika Michelle Slade, 33, of 3400 Delancy St., Greensboro. Both were charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, all felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Simmons and Slade of providing false information to United Financial Casualty Co. in an attempt to obtain $5,000 in an automobile insurance claim.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jonathan Bowers, 47, or 357 Gallup Road, Chapel Hill. Bowers was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Bowers of attempting to receive $2,300 from USAA Insurance by listing a ring that he had previously pawned among valuable personal property items he said was stolen while he was away on vacation.

The offenses occurred on March 17.

The N.C. Department of Insurance has ended its legal dispute with the North Carolina Rate Bureau on its proposed insurance rate increase for Mobile Home - F (MH-F) policies and Mobile Home -Casualty (MH-C) policies, averting a potentially costly administrative battle with insurance companies. 

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will present insurance agent Barbara Darden with the department’s Order of the Guardian Award during a special presentation on Thursday, May 11. 
 

The Commissioner, who also serves as the State Fire Marshal, presents this award to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service in either the fire or insurance industries. 
 

In recognition of National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday April 22, Insurance Commissioner and Safe Kids N.C. Chair Mike Causey invites the public to drop off their unused medication at our Operation Medicine Drop (OMD) prescription drug take back event in Wilmington.

North Carolina is experiencing an opioid epidemic. Dangerous prescription pills and medications can not only hurt our loved ones and their families, but they can wind up in our water system and have damaging environmental impacts if not disposed of properly.