Topics Related to NCDOI

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Jeremiah Randall Whitt, 39, of 1316 N.C. Highway 57 North, Milton, was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Whitt of trying to obtain payment for funeral services from ABM Funding Inc. and Standard Life Insurance Co. by claiming to have witnessed the signature of a woman who had been dead for nearly a year on an insurance document.

The offense occurred on Nov. 18, 2019.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Torez Lavon Hughes, 49, of 5620 Novack St., Winston-Salem, was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Hughes of submitting fraudulent invoices to Travelers Insurance to obtain reimbursements in a homeowners’ insurance claim.

The offenses occurred between Feb. 7 and May 13.

Officials with the N.C. Department of Insurance remind residents that Open Enrollment for the 2021 Federal Health Insurance Exchange ends Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, for coverage to start Jan. 1, 2021.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said, “Open enrollment is an opportunity for people to make sure they choose the best insurance plan that meets their needs, if they do not have health insurance elsewhere and can qualify for tax subsidies that offset their premiums.”

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, is teaming with the Apex Fire Department to demonstrate the dangers associated with frying turkeys this holiday season.

The event will be on Monday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m., at the Apex Fire Department Station 3, 736 Hunter St., Apex.  Commissioner Causey, along with Office of State Fire Marshal staff and Apex firefighters, will host a live fire demonstration to show the dangers of frying a turkey that has not fully thawed.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey encourages families to talk to their Medicare-aged loved ones about getting solid, reliable information about the best health and prescription plan before open enrollment ends Dec. 7.  This is a very important time for beneficiaries to decide on a suitable plan so they have the proper coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Orlando Otis Wonson, 48, of 5419 Highway 43 North, Pinetops. Wonson was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.

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.