Press Releases

The dispute between Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and North Carolina insurance companies writing homeowners’ insurance over a proposed 42.2% average statewide rate increase heads to hearing on Oct. 7.

As the Department of Insurance continues to respond to Hurricane Helene with other local, state and federal agencies, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging North Carolinians to protect themselves and their property from scammers and home repairs that could be fraudulent activity.

As North Carolina continues to respond to the devastating impacts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has announced the opening of two Victim Assistance Centers (VAC) to open this week and next.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey sent the following letter to victims of Hurricane Helene offering the full allocation of the department’s resources. 

To The People of North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Latisha Michelle Rorie, 36, of 2801 Westbury Lake Drive, Charlotte, N.C. Rorie is charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Demetra Bates Poag, 37, of 154 Charleys Creek Road, Tuckasegee, N.C. Poag is charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

With Hurricane Helene forecasted to become a major storm bringing possible heavy rain and wind, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey is reminding the public what they can do to be prepared before, during and after a major weather event.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Derek Paul Woods, 31, of 4835 Lakota Way Road, Maiden, NC. Woods is charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

Ahead of a scheduled public hearing on homeowner’s rates next month, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has released a new video explaining how insurance rates are set in North Carolina, a process which is outlined by state law.  

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will join experts from the NCDOI Fraud Control Group, Criminal Investigations Division, SHIIP and other community officials to address the harmful and growing issue of insurance fraud crime and what the public can do to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from scams.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Kara Chantille Simmons, 41, of 315 Ann Baker Court, Charlotte. Simmons is charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

(UPDATE: On Dec. 11, 2024, David Barnes pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement on an application for insurance benefits. He paid nearly $60,000 in restitution and was placed on 12 months probation. The felony charges were dismissed.)

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will join experts from the NCDOI Fraud Control Group, Criminal Investigations Division, SHIIP and other community officials to address the harmful and growing issue of insurance fraud crime and what the public can do to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from scams.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Danielle Deanna Copeland, 39, of 1306 W. Lakewood Ave., Durham, NC. Copeland was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies. She was also charged with driving without liability insurance, a misdemeanor. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Christian Armando Villarroel, 29, of 4011 Ivystone Court, Charlotte, was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Monique Lewis Little, 56, of 1425 Curfman St., Raleigh, NC. Little was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies. She was also charged with filing a false report to a police station, a misdemeanor. 

North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey issued the following statement in response to a N.C. Supreme Court decision allowing a motion to withdraw the petition for discretionary review in Causey v. Southland National Insurance Corporation, with the court also dismissing the remaining items in the case:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Benjamin Paul Boyatt, 41, of 9882 Red Fox Run SE, Winnabow, NC.  Boyatt was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Kelly Scott Frisbee, 42, of 674 Drucilla Church Road, Nebo, N.C.  Frisbee was charged with insurance fraud, a felony. He was also charged with filing a false report to a police station, a misdemeanor.

NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will join experts from the NCDOI Fraud Control Group, Criminal Investigations Division, SHIIP and other community officials to address the harmful and growing issue of insurance fraud crime and what the public can do to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from scams.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Brandon Travail Jones, 2092 Ayrsley Town Blvd #B, Charlotte, NC. Jones was charged with four counts of insurance fraud, and one count of obtaining property by false pretense. All are felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Nicholas McArthur Bennett, 43, of 419 Beasley Dr., Greenville, NC. Bennett was charged with two counts of identity theft and one count of obtaining property by false pretense greater than or equal to $100,000. All counts are felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Keysha Gillis Cox, 50, of 624 Thomas Ave., Aberdeen, NC. Cox was charged with one count of insurance fraud and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. Both are felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Te’Yawnda Quiana Bullock, 29, of 948 Dunbar Woods Road, Battleboro, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Travis Layne Ramsey, 27, of 10100 Rock Hollow Road, Raleigh, NC. Ramsey was charged with one count of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. Both are felonies. He was also charged with filing a false report to a police station, a misdemeanor.