Topics Related to NCDOI

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Archie Holmes, 72, and Laura Holmes 37, of 8220 Buffalo Road, Smithfield; each is charged with one count of insurance fraud.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Archie Holmes and Laura Holmes of stating fraudulent facts to Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company to support an automobile claim. Investigators allege Holmes and Holmes made statements containing false and misleading information during a recorded interview.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the signing of a settlement agreement with the North Carolina Rate Bureau in response to the Rate Bureau's Feb. 1, 2017, request for a 13.8% increase in auto insurance rates. The North Carolina Department of Insurance agreed to a lower average increase of 2.2% - a savings of more than $1 billion for NC consumers over two years.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of David Maylon Pickett, 59, of 705 Queen St., Grifton; he is charged with one count each of embezzlement and exploitation of an elder.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Pickett of deceiving an elder adult to obtain funds, assets and property in the amount of $2,957.00 on March 24, 2017. Investigators allege Pickett knowingly embezzled, misapplied and converted Yvonne S. Parnell’s property for his own use.

Pickett was arrested on May 25 in Wayne County and placed under a $100,000 bond.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of John Nicholas Kostandin, 50, of 5083 NC 56 Hwy, Franklinton; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Kostandin of filing a fraudulent claim for hail damage to his automobile with GEICO Indemnity Insurance Company. Investigators allege the claim was a duplicate and the original claim was paid in April 2016.

Kostandin was arrested on May 25 in Franklin County and placed under a $5,000 bond.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Sharon Antwawn Bullock, 34, of 121 Enchanted Forest Drive, Warrenton; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Bullock of claiming his car was stolen and crashed to receive insurance payment from National General Insurance Company. Investigators allege the vehicle was never stolen and Bullock was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey wants to remind all North Carolinians to be prepared for the 2017 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

"Hurricane Season has officially started and it is of paramount importance that every North Carolinian is prepared for every possible storm that may hit," said Causey. "If you take the time to prepare now, you could save yourself a lot of heartache and trouble later."

Here are five things that will help you prepare:

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Harold David Parker, 70, of 406 North Tillery St., Rocky Mount; he is charged with one count of insurance fraud.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Parker of claiming his car was stolen to receive $30,628.56 from GEICO Insurance Company. Investigators allege the vehicle was never stolen and the claim was denied.

Parker was arrested on April 25 in Edgecombe County and released under a written promise to appear in court.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that the North Carolina Department of Insurance has reached a settlement agreement with YourPeople, Inc., dba Zenefits FTW Insurance Services (Zenefits) resulting in a $104,500 penalty.

Department of Insurance Agent Services Division had charged Zenefits with engaging in unauthorized insurance activity in North Carolina resulting in 46 unlicensed and/or un-appointed insurance producers participating in the issuance of 186 policies to North Carolina consumers from January 2014, through November 2015.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Phillip Brandon Edwards, Mark William Madison and Joel Jayson Smith for charges including insurance fraud, felony conspiracy, injury to real property and attempting to obtain property by false pretense in Cabarrus and Davidson counties.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that the North Carolina Department of Insurance is off to a tremendous start after his first 100 days in office.

"My first 100 days in office at the Department of Insurance has been a tremendous experience," said Causey. "I am very pleased with our transition from the past administration and look forward to accomplishing much more for the people of North Carolina in the coming years."