Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that the Department of Insurance has received the annual auto insurance rate filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau. The Bureau, which represents the auto insurance companies in the state, requested an overall statewide average increase of 13.8 percent for 2017.
This rate filing is the first auto rate filing the Department of Insurance has received from the Rate Bureau since 2009. The last auto rate increases occurred in 2001 and 2002 but were wiped out by the rate decrease that occurred in 2003.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jonette Michelle Caldwell, 31, of 3413 Asgar Court, Raleigh; she is charged with three counts of soliciting bail bond business inside a confinement facility.Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Caldwell of soliciting bail bond business within the confines of the Wake County Detention Center from September 2016 through November 2016. Investigators allege Caldwell of paying inmates for referrals to other inmates.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is pleased to report that North Carolina's captive insurance company program once again exceeded expectations during the program's third full year of operation.
"North Carolina's captive insurance program continues to experience growth in the number of captive insurers forming and redomesticating to our state," said Causey. "North Carolina continues to prove to be a great place for captive insurers and I look forward to what is in store for 2017."
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Jacqueline V. Hughley, 37, of 312 West 9th St., Washington; she is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Hughley of submitting fraudulent documents to MetLife in an attempt to obtain $850 in med pay. Investigators allege Hughley altered documents to appear as if they came from a local hospital.
Hughley was arrested on Jan. 19 in Beaufort County and released with a promise to appear in court.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Christopher Lamont Mitchell, 29, and Daniela Alysia Coley, 28, of 157 Johns Lane, Bunn; each is charged with one count each of insurance fraud by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and attempting to obtain property by false pretense by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
