Topics Related to NCDOI

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Courtney Nicole Smith, 36, and Maurice Dequanta Walker, 37, both of 5930 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, were charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse the two of altering medical bills by inflating the amounts to obtain a higher automobile insurance claim payout from Progressive Southeastern Insurance Co.

The offenses occurred between Dec. 20, 2019, and March 1, 2020.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the North Carolina Rate Bureau has requested a 24.5% statewide average increase in homeowners' insurance rates to take effect August 2021. The NCRB is not part of the N.C. Department of Insurance but represents companies that write insurance policies in the state.

The Department can either agree with the rates as filed or negotiate a settlement with the NCRB on a lower rate. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, the Commissioner will call for a hearing.

With the onset of colder temperatures across North Carolina combined with the risk of fires that stem from holiday cooking, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warns everyone of the increased potential for home fires.

This past weekend, a man in Banner Elk lost his life due to a fire in his home bringing this year’s total to 100 fatal fires in North Carolina.

Newly reelected North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has detailed priorities for his next term in office. Among the most crucial, Commissioner Causey plans to work with the N.C. General Assembly to address statutory changes needed to better protect consumers and lessen liabilities for insurance agents.  As State Fire Marshal, he will address state laws that will help protect firefighters, first responders and their families.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Reina Esmeralda Foster, 43, of 103 Woods Mill Road, Goldsboro. Foster was charged with 10 counts of insurance fraud and 10 counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, all felonies.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Foster of filing fraudulent insurance claims with Lighthouse, State Farm and Homesite Insurance Companies in an attempt to obtain $90,086.57 in homeowners’ insurance payments.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Raymond Irvine Laster III, 28, of 831 Greenhaven Drive, Greensboro. Laster was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies, along with misdemeanor making false statements on an insurance application.

According to the arrest warrant, Laster obtained an automobile insurance policy from National General Insurance Co. after he wrecked the car but claimed the crash occurred after he took out the policy.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced that 21.9 million pills were collected during the highly successful fall 2020 statewide Operation Medicine Drop campaign.

The pills, which won’t end up in the wrong hands or in our waterways, were collected by 126 law enforcement agencies and more than 400 drop boxes across North Carolina during the annual Take Back Event.

The prescription medications were delivered to a state-approved incinerator where they were destroyed.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has sounded the alarm on the growing consumer scam by fake debt collectors in North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Insurance regulates debt collectors, and debt collectors must have a permit from the department to conduct business in the state.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Anthony Marquis Byrd Jr., 34, of 7605 Holy Grove Court, Charlotte, was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

According to the criminal summons, Byrd tried to deceive Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. by misrepresenting where he was sitting in a 2017 Chevrolet when it was involved in a collision.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Felicia M. Shields, 38, of 46 Colt Lane, Dunn. Shields was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Shields of providing fictitious documents in support of an automobile insurance claim with National General Insurance co.

The offense occurred on June 24.

Shields was arrested on Oct. 26. She was released under a $500 unsecured bond pending a Nov. 13 appearance in Sampson County District Court.