Topics Related to NCDOI

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Marcus Leon Clay, 28, of 426 Lakeland St., Durham and Tenika V. Clay, 34, of 1446 New Castle Road, Durham; each is charged with one count of insurance fraud.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Marcus and Tenika Clay of claiming Tenika Clay was a passenger during an automobile accident with Allstate Insurance Company and filing bodily injury claims. Investigators allege Tenika Clay was not in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announces the N.C. Rate Bureau has elected to withdraw the rate filing made on Nov. 30, 2016, which would have seen an increase of +19.6% average in North Carolina.

The rate filing was reviewed by Department of Insurance experts who discovered data issues that needed to be resolved before the filing could move forward. The N.C. Rate Bureau elected to withdraw the filing.

The start of a new year is a great time to reevaluate your insurance policies. Changing circumstances may lead to different insurance needs. Did you have a baby? Get married? Purchase a new home or car? If so, you'll want to check whether you have the right fit in policy protection.

"It is a new year and there are certainly things that will be changing in your life as you look forward to the rest of 2017,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. “I recommend you take this opportunity to make sure you are adequately covered by your insurance policies."

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jermaine Walthour, 33, of 905 West Main St., Louisburg; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Walthour of fraudulently claiming his vehicle was stolen to obtain payment from USAA between July and August 2016. Investigators allege Walthour attempted to burn his vehicle to collect an insurance settlement.

Walthour was arrested on Jan. 2 in Franklin County and released under a $20,000 bond.

The North Carolina Rate Bureau has requested the N.C. Department of Insurance increase homeowners' insurance rates 17.4 percent effective Oct. 1, 2019. The N.C. Rate Bureau represents the state's insurance companies and is a separate entity from the N.C. Department of Insurance.

The Rate Bureau attests the increase is needed to cover increased losses, hurricane losses and the net cost of reinsurance.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Rodney L. Wilhelm, 36, of 2171 Phibbs Road, Elon. Wilhelm was charged with felony insurance fraud.

Special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Wilhelm of submitting fictitious information on an insurance claim to The General Insurance Co. in an attempt to obtain money for injuries and auto damage. The offense occurred on May 17, according to the arrest warrant.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Brittney Sydell Heyward, 30, of 1306 Cloverdale St., Burlington. Heyward was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

According to the arrest warrant, Heyward submitted fictitious receipts to Homesite Insurance Co. in an attempt to obtain money on a homeowners insurance claim for a leaky roof. The offenses occurred between Sept. 16 and Nov. 16.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jamel Deshawn Robinson, 26, of 3901 Oak Ridge Drive, Winston-Salem. Robinson was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony obtaining property by false pretense.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Robinson of filing 12 fictitious medical claims under his name and five other claims under his mother's name, garnering a reimbursement of $14,455 from Aflac.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Avery Larnell Cummings, 36, of 600 Lincoln St. Lot 1, Wilson. Cummings was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Cummings of presenting an altered title to Geico Indemnity Co. in support of an auto insurance claim.

According to the arrest warrant, the offense occurred between May 11 and June 12.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has announced an extended enrollment period for winter storm victims who wish to apply for health insurance on the federal healthcare exchange. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed the Department of Insurance that individuals who were unable to sign up because of the winter storm that impacted western and central North Carolina may be eligible for an Exceptional Circumstances Special Enrollment Period.